HERBICIDE RESISTANCE IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS

Under normal circumstances, herbicides affect photosynthesis or biosynthesis of essential amino acids. Under field conditions, application
of herbicides not only kills the unwanted weeds but also greatly affects the field crops. In order to protect the crops against exposure to herbicides, scientists after intensive research isolated a gene from Streptomyces
hygroscopicus which encodes an enzyme, capable of inactivating the
herbicide ‘Basta’. Transgenic plants with this gene have been developed,
demonstrating effectiveness of this gene for protection against herbicide
‘Basta’. Thus, herbicide-tolerant crop plants have now been developed by genetically manipulating plant genomes resistant to specific herbicides.

Improved resistance to insect pests and microbial diseases:
Genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt2) have been introduced into several crops, including tomato and cotton, and field-testing has demonstrated impressive results against many pests. Spore preparation of this bacterium is used as a biological insecticide during the last 20 years. Insecticidal activity depends on a toxic protein called delta endotoxins. The toxin gene (Bt2) from Bacillus thuringiensis has been isolated and used for Agrobacterium. Ti plasmid mediated transformation of tobacco, cotton and tomato plants. The transgenic plants were resistant to the Manducta sexta, a pest of tobacco. India had acquired technology from U.S.A. for introducing Bt toxin gene in cotton for the development of resistance against pests in this major cash crop of India. Widespread use of insecticides, fungicides and pesticides for crop protection undoubtedly has damaging effects on the environment and hence it is important to improve the control of pests and diseases by genetic means. Genetic modification of plants is an attempt for ecofriendly measures against environmental degradation.
Through genetic modification, the oil-producing soya bean was tailored to produce a wide range of industrial lubricants, cosmetic compounds and detergents that are biodegradable. A whole new area of biotechnology
has been opened up and plants are made to synthesize many novel substances including functional human antibody fragments.


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