With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) develo

With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :

1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 3 only
2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2018
The Genetically Modified mustard variety DMH-11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11) was developed in India.
Statement 1 is incorrect. GM mustard DMH-11 contains three genes: two from the soil bacterium *Bacillus amyloliquefaciens* (*barnase* and *barstar*) and one from the soil bacterium *Streptomyces hygroscopicus* (*bar*). The *barnase* and *barstar* genes are used in a male sterility/fertility restoration system to facilitate hybrid seed production. The *bar* gene confers tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium. It does not provide pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
Statement 2 is correct. The barnase-barstar system is a genetically engineered method to create male sterility in one parent line and restore fertility in the hybrid progeny, enabling the production of hybrid seeds through cross-pollination in a crop like mustard, which is often self-pollinating. This system allows the plant to undergo effective cross-pollination and hybridization to produce higher-yielding hybrids.
Statement 3 is incorrect. DMH-11 was developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University South Campus (DUSC), led by Dr. Deepak Pental, and in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). It was not developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.
GM mustard DMH-11 is a herbicide-tolerant hybrid developed to boost India’s domestic edible oil production. It is a hybrid of the Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’ and the East European variety ‘Early Heera-2’. While approved by the GEAC in 2017 and again in 2022 for environmental release (field trials), its commercial cultivation is currently stayed by the Supreme Court.