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Scientists have used gene editing to create mustard plants with lower glucosinolate levels in seeds, improving their suitability for cooking oil and animal feed, potentially reducing India’s reliance on imported vegetable oils.

Central idea

India’s domestically grown oilseeds, like rapeseed and mustard, provide cooking oil and protein-rich livestock meals. However, the pungent flavor from high glucosinolate levels limits consumer appeal, and an unpalatable meal poses livestock challenges. A genetic breakthrough offers hope, potentially transforming mustard’s applications.

Rapeseed-mustard plays a vital role in India’s oilseed landscape, accounting for 42.6% of vegetable oil production and 30.3% of meal production, second only to soyabean.
Glucosinolates in mustard seeds contribute to the characteristic pungency of their oil and meal.

Glucosinolates are a group of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds found in plants, including rapeseed-mustard.
These compounds contribute to the distinctive pungent taste and aroma of mustard seeds and other cruciferous vegetables.
The glucosinolates in mustard seeds are responsible for their characteristic flavor but can also limit their acceptability for consumption and livestock feed due to their strong taste and potential negative effects on animals.

Contain foreign genes from other species, such as Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria in cotton or Bar-Barnase-Barstar in GM hybrid mustard.
Subject to stringent environmental release regulations in India, requiring clearance from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment.
GEAC’s approval is not solely binding; final authorization comes from the Union Government.

Are transgene-free or non-GM, containing no foreign genes.
The Cas9 enzyme, used for gene editing, is eliminated in subsequent generations, resulting in transgene-free lines.
Benefit from an exemption provided by the MoEFCC on the requirement for GEAC approval for open field trials of GE plants free of exogenous introduced DNA.
Approval is now necessary at the level of an Institutional Bio-Safety Committee (IBSC) comprising scientists engaged in GE crop development and the DBT.

Researchers, including those at Delhi University and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, have employed CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to address the glucosinolate issue.
They edited 10 out of 12 GTR genes in the Varuna mustard variety, significantly reducing glucosinolate content in seeds while maintaining higher levels in leaves and pod walls.
This editing also improved resistance to fungal pathogens and insect pests, enhancing the plant’s defense mechanisms.

Reducing Edible Oil Imports: India’s significant dependence on edible oil imports, valued at $20.84 billion (Rs 167,270 crore) for the FY ending March 2023, underscores the need to curb foreign exchange outflow and enhance domestic production.
Addressing Economic Strain: The extensive import value strains India’s trade balance and foreign exchange reserves, making it imperative to boost self-reliance in edible oil production.
Promoting Agricultural Self-Sufficiency: This development aligns with India’s goal of achieving greater agricultural self-sufficiency by reducing reliance on imports and enhancing domestic oilseed production.
Impact on Oilseed Crops: Mustard and soyabean, cultivated across 9 million and 12.5 million hectares, respectively, are key to India’s oilseed sector. Mustard’s higher oil-extractable content of 38% accentuates its significance.
Nutritional and Livestock Benefits: Mustard’s improved suitability for culinary and animal feed purposes positively impacts both human nutrition and the livestock sector.
Scientific Innovation: The creation of genetically edited (GE) low-seed, high-leaf glucosinolate mustard lines and GM hybrid mustard showcases India’s scientific capabilities and innovation in agriculture.
Enhanced Food Security: By augmenting domestic oilseed production and quality, this development contributes to India’s food security and reduces its vulnerability to global market fluctuations.

The genetic breakthrough in editing mustard genes offers potential to revolutionize India’s oilseed sector. By lowering seed glucosinolate levels and maintaining higher leaf levels, it improves culinary and feed suitability. As the GE variety undergoes trials, it addresses oil seed production, import reliance, and self-sufficiency needs.