Transcript Agricultural Biotechnology in Sri Lanka

Agricultural Biotechnology
in Sri Lanka
Kumudu Fernando
Seed Certification and plant protection
Centre, Department of Agriculture
Tissue Culture
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Micropropagation -1.Mass production
2.Virus elimination
Embryo Rescue
Anther culture
Secondary metabolite production
Protoplast culture
In vitro conservation
Applications
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Mass production
D.O.A.
potato
Seed potato production
Orchids
Anthurium
Gerbera
Ornamentals
Pineapple
Strawberry
Medicinal plants
D.O.A.
University
Private
sector
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Virus elimination
Micrografting (citrus)
Meristem culture
Potato
Banana
In vitro conservation
Root & Tuber crops
D.O.A.
Although tissue culture has
been carried out since the midseventies, the benefits to the
farmer have not been
satisfactory
Issues
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Need for a central laboratory for technology
development and dissemination
Need for collaboration among institutions
preventing duplications and enhancing
complementation.
Need for extension programmes to ensure the
delivery of products to farmers.
Need for increased farmer participation
Increased attention should be
given to:
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Biopesticides
Biofertilizer
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Product development through biotechnology
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Sufficient attention has not been given to the
above although they are important for Sri
Lanka and although the techniques involved
are relatively simple
Modern agricultural
Biotechnology
Applications
 MAS – markers for pest and disease
resistance in crops e.g. GM, BPH, BLB
 thrip resistance in rice- D.O.A
 resistance against bacterial wilt in
tomato
Issues
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Need for national & international
collaboration
Training- long term & short term
Expert visits
Need for financial support for R&D
Need for continued supply of chemicals
Need for knowledge/experience in
bioinformatics
rDNA technology
The following should be considered prior to
embarking on rDNA technology
 Need to evaluate broader impact on on-going
agriculture.
 Impact on economy- cost effectiveness
 Who are the beneficiaries
 Appropriateness of the technology for the target
group
 Impact on biodiversity and environment
 IPR protection
 Biosafety
Issues
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Government support for R&D
Need to identify the institutions
Need for collaboration and establishment of
partnerships
Need to identify the modes of collaboration
Need for capacity building
International support on specific technological
problems as Sri Lanka is far behind in DNA
technology
Biosafety mechanisms in place
Information sharing and public awareness
Molecular diagnostics
 Identification of plant quarantine pests
& diseases
 Pest detection for plant protection
 Testing of GM crops
Molecular characterization of crop
germplasm and their wild relatives
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Markers (biochemical and molecular) for
seed certification
Varietal protection
Identification of desirable genes
Data base development
Thank you!