The average rate obtained by Swarnandhra per kg of cocoons is Rs.153.81 as against the average rate of Rs.124.30 of the ruling traditional hybrid (PM x NB₄D₂). The Swarnandhra cocoons fetched an average of Rs.30.00 more for each kg of cocoons compared to the traditional hybrid, thereby assuring increased economic return to the farmers. Swarnandhra has been widely accepted by the farmers and also by the silk reelers. As there is a growing demand from farmers and reelers for this hybrid, the Department of Sericulture at present stopped the production of traditional hybrid (PM x NB₄D₂) and is supplying only the new hybrid Swarnandhra to the farmers.

The developed elite hybrid, Swarnandhra is characterised by short larval period of 22-23 days, single cocoon weight (1.60 – 1.70 g), cocoon shell weight (0.29 – 0.32 g), larval survival rate (80-85%), silk reelability (80-90%), renditta (the quantity of cocoons required for producing one kg of raw silk; 7- 7.5 kg), floss% (<5%) and international silk grade (2A-3A).

Cost Benefit Analysis

By virtue of higher production capacity of this hybrid per unit area of mulberry, it is revealed that the productivity level of the farmer is increased with a corresponding increase in income to the farmers. Similarly, due to higher silk recovery from each kg of cocoons the reelers also realise higher income as compared to the traditional hybrid. The cost benefit analysis is presented below:

Cost benefit analysis (rearers)

Cost benefit analysis (reelers)

Transgenic Bt cotton carrying cry1Ac, cry2Ab, and Bt rice carrying cry1Ac structural genes and nptII (neomycin phosphotransferase II) and nos (nopaline synthetase) as marker genes along with non-transgenic seeds were collected. Primer sets one each for cry1Ac, cry2Ab, npt II and nos were designed with the amplicon lengths of 765, 565, 785 and 80 bp, respectively. The PCR products were confirmed by sequencing. By using the appropriate set of controls, the lowest limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for the above mentioned four transgenes on agarose and 5% sequencing gels were studied and analysed by GeneScan. In a significant improvement, we have been able to increase the LOD to 0.04% for the three transgenes cry1Ac, cry2Ab and nos in the transgenic Bt cotton and Bt rice seeds. This is a considerable improvement over current limit of detection which is 0.1%. We have arrived at this value after testing statistically significant sample size.

Originating in the foothills of the Himalayas, Basmati rice is characterized by the extra-long slender grain, pleasant and distinct aroma, and soft and fluffy texture of the cooked rice. These unique features of Basmati, said to be the culmination of centuries of selection and cultivation by farmers, are well preserved and maintained in their purest form in the traditional Basmati (TB) varieties. Historical and archeological findings imply that varieties with such unique morphological and quality attributes are not present in traditional rice-growing areas anywhere in the world. However, in keeping with the scientific developments, through persistent research and development work, breeders have crossed low yielding TB varieties with other high yielding semi-dwarf non-basmati varieties to develop evolved lines of basmati (EB).

Traditional basmati varieties however command premium status and considerable price advantage in the market over EB varieties. This prompts adulteration of TB with EB and NB grains to derive commercial advantages. Once the consignments leave the shores of the dispatching country, it has no control over adulteration/admixture probabilities. Hence, identifying the genuine Basmati variety from the other Basmati-like EB and NB varieties is considered important from the viewpoint of trade.

Microsatellite markers:

Traditionally employed morphological and chemical parameters have not been found to be discriminative enough warranting more precise techniques. There is a wide array of DNA marker techniques available for genotyping of rice. All DNA markers reflect differences in DNA sequences. The choice of a particular genetic marker often depends upon the purpose of the study and is usually a trade-off between practicality and precision of genetic markers. Single locus markers are quite informative because they provide alleles whose zygosity status can be assayed easily. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) microsatellite markers have been considered to be most suitable for genotyping as they are co-dominant, and their allele frequencies in a population can be calculated. Once identified, assaying using SSR markers is simple, easy and quick. They are also amenable for multiplexing and automation. After initial screening of more than 300 rice microsatellite loci, we short-listed a few good candidates for identifying Basmati and non-Basmati genotypes based on distinguishing abilities, sequence motif and robustness of allele pattern.

The well-characterized Basmati rice-specific molecular markers could serve as marker tags for Basmati varieties. We automated the microsatellite marker assay to identify TB from pretenders.