BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE The Future! 23 rd of April, 2010 A presentation by Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani

Contents Biotechnology Areas of Applied Biotechnology Conventional Methods Cross-Breeding & Hybridization Modern Biotechnology Biotechnology in Agriculture Benefits Issues & Concerns Bio-Informatics in Agriculture Biotechnology in Pakistan

WHAT IS BIOTECHNOLOGY? ‘United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’, defines biotechnology as: ‘Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use’

Biotechnology Biotechnology is more than just a single technology It is a field of biology that involves the use of living things in engineering, technology, medicine, etc It includes working with the living cells and their molecules and has a wide range of uses to improve our lives

APPLIED AREAS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Conventional Methods Cross-Breeding & Hybridization Problems – Undesirable characteristics in offspring – Removing of undesirable traits is time-consuming

MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY Biotechnological techniques for the manipulation of genetic material and the fusion of cells beyond normal breeding barriers

Biotechnology in Agriculture Genetic Engineering – Recombinant DNA – Example (Genetically Modified Crops)

Genetic Engineering Genetically Modified Crop

BIOTECHNOLOGY: WHY IN AGRICULTURE Responsible biotechnology is not the enemy; Hunger. Not have enough food at affordable prices; we cannot expect world health or peace Knowlede Inn, Initials. (2010, Feb 09). “Biotechnology in agriculture.” Retrieved from application-in_09.html

Why in Agriculture Source:

BENEFITS

Benefits ? Crop Performance Environmenta l Resistant Crops Nutrition Supplement Pest resistant Crops Improved Size Reduced Dependence on Pesticides Higher Crop yields

Issues & Concerns Health Effects Ecological Risks Lack of Consumer Acceptance Food Safety Concerns

BIOINFORMATICS IN AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Bioinformatics in Agricultural Biotechnology Genome Analysis Computational Analysis of Genome sequenced data Identification of sequenced gene & gene expression pattern Collection of databases helps in Genome Mapping

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN PAKISTAN Agriculture constitutes the largest sector of our economy It contributes about 24 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) It accounts for half of employed labor force It is the largest source of foreign exchange earnings Source:

Agriculture Subsector Share SubsectorsShares Crops47.9 Livestock49.6 Fisheries1.6 Forestry0.9 Source: Malik, Dr. Kauser. “Agricultural in Biotechnology potential for economic Pakistan: potential for economic development”

Biotechnology in Pakistan Status – Use of biotechnology in agriculture sector started in 1985 – Currently there are 29 biotech centers Institutes and Universities – Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center (PABIC) – 29 universities and government institutes are working in the field of biotechnology – Member of Convention of Biological Diversity, and World Trade Organization – Forman Christian College University, Lahore Research Centers – National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering – Center of Excellence on Molecular Biology Source:

Innovative aspects of Biotechnology and its better awareness and dissemination Source:

GM Crops Development CropFeature Cotton -Diamondback moth resistance with Bt gene - Virus (CLCuV) resistance with RNA interference (RNAi) Rice -Salt tolerance with Yeast and Arabidopsis Na+/H+ antiporter genes - Bacterial blight resistance with Xa21 gene PotatoVirus resistance Sugarcane -Insect resistance with Cry gene - chloroplast transformation Tomato-Male sterility through RNAi - Virus (TLCV) resistance through RNAi Source: Malik, Dr. Kauser. “Agricultural in Biotechnology potential for economic Pakistan: potential for economic development”

Conclusion “Biotechnology is used in agriculture and the use of bioinformatics in agricultural biotechnology provides useful and efficient methods”