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– 117 – Agricultural Biotechnology Status in Iran sulting in increased cost and environmental contamination due to fertilizer residues. Phosphate biofertilizer can decrease phosphate chemical fertilizer usage by 50% while increasing the yield by 10%–50%, thus eventually doubling the benefit to farmers. Nitrogeneous Biofertilizer Economic, health, and environmental problems have resulted from the use chemical nitrogen fertilizers, demonstrating the importance of alternative plant feeding methods. Countries using biological nitrogen fixation (BNF)—China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Canada, the U.S., Russia, Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba—have shown that it has not only theoretical and experimental but also has practical applications. After seven years of research, Iranian researchers have produced nitrogen fertilizers containing native rhizobacters as a nitrogen fixative. These bacteria can increase N-uptake in native rice cultivars by 69%. Biopesticides Pests reduce crop yield worldwide by 10%–20% annually. About 23,000 tons of chemical pesticide were used on Iranian farms in 2002 and 2003 to protect crops against pests. Of this amount, 8,000 tons were used solely against insects. Because of both the harmful effects of chemical pesticides and the economic cost, biopesticides are considered to be a viable alternative. Bt-derived pesticides are the most conventional and environmentally friendly. In Iran, Bt-derived Cry proteins are produced on a large scale as a biopesticide, which has been shown to effectively control one of the most important rice pests, the green rice caterpillar (Naranga aenescens). Bt-transgenic Rice According to FAO statistics, Iran is the third-largest rice-importing country (926,000 tons annually). An effort has been made to compensate for this deficiency through classic agronomic and breeding methods. However, there is an emerging opinion that new genetic engineering technologies should be adopted to complement these methods. In 1997, a Bt gene, developed in cooperation with more than 20 scientists from India, Malaysia, the U.S., and Australia, was transferred into Tarom Molaii rice cultivar, an Iranian rice, to achieve rice lines resistant to green rice caterpillars (Naranga aenescens) and striped stem borers (Chilo suppressalis). After 12 years, these efforts resulted in several Bt-transgenic rice varieties. Three-year field trials proved that the insect resistance gave higher yields (10%) compared to the unmodified control. The most important characteristic of this transgenic rice is that it expresses Cry 1Ab protein only in its green tissues (not in seed) and kills only striped stem borers and green rice caterpillars, with no harmful effects to humans or live farm organisms, as shown in data collected when the transgenic rice was fed to mice and chickens. It has been estimated that Bt-transgenic rice cultivation will prevent the loss of 200,000 tons of rice yield due to pests and result in a benefit to Iranian rice producers of about USD125 million. In vitro-produced Pistachio Seedlings The pistachio is native to Iran; more than 380,000 ha are devoted to this invaluable plant. The average yield of 1000 kg/ha annually is lower than the yield of other competing countries (2500 kg/ha). This inefficiency is the result of a lack of adequate research. Having access to highly productive and homogeneous pistachio seedlings is very important in increasing the yield. Micropropagation via tissue culture techniques has been adopted to accomplish this, which has resulted in highly productive stock tolerant of environmental stress. The results have been very satisfactory, and there are now optimized micropropagation protocols for large-scale production of root stocks from several pistachio stocks. This is a two-month process, as opposed to the year required to produce pistachio seedlings using traditional methods. It is possible to produce more
Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology Products than 100,000 root stock plants per year from each initial explant. Utilization of this technology will require private sector investment. AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS IN THE PIPELINE Bt-transgenic Cotton An estimated 400 tons of chemical pesticides are used on 150,000 ha of cotton fields to protect against pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella). Attempts to produce cotton lines resistant to this pest resulted in Bt-transgenic cotton. Laboratory bioassays and greenhouse trials have demonstrated its resistance. Field trials and biosafety tests must still be undertaken before it can be released in the field. Estimates are that cultivation of this transgenic cotton will increase edible oil production by 3,000 tons and textile production by 9 million tons annually. Chitinase-transgenic Cotton Verticillum wilt (Verticillium dahliae) is an important fungal disease of cotton in North Iran and causes 15%–20% of the damage in this region. A cotton line has been developed that is able to express the chitinase enzyme in its tissue. This enzyme digests fungal cell walls and so prevents serious damage. Bioassays and experiments have confirmed its efficacy, and field trials are beginning. Virus-free Potato Minitubers In 2001, a project was designed to produce virus-free potato minitubers via tissue culture techniques. Now optimized protocols for large-scale production of minitubers are available. Since more than 90% of maternal potato seed is imported, this procedure will save more than USD120 million annually and also guard against infection by exotic pathogens. CONSTRAINTS ON THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS Popularization There have been some protests against biotechnology-derived products. Convincing the consumers that these products, now available, are safe to consume will not be easy and will require the effort of both government agencies and scientists. Privatization Every idea needs investment to support commercialization, and the best investors are in the private sector. Unfortunately, in the Islamic Republic of Iran the private sector is in its infancy. Also, the preference for investing in biotechnology industries is not as strong as for other industries like petroleum, electronics, and construction. It will be necessary to educate investors on this new industry and demonstrate that its benefits are worthwhile. Success in other countries will be helpful in convincing Iranian investors. Biosafety Challenges This is a common problem with biotechnology worldwide. These concerns arise primarily from political, not scientific considerations. However, public awareness-building is likely to be very effective, especially in a society that includes many uneducated people. Fortunately, the situation is changing to some extent. – 118 –
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From: Business Potential for Agricu
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Report of the APO Multi-country Stu
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Part IV Appendices 5. Agricultural
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Part I Summary of Findings
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Business Potential for Agricultural
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1. WHY AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY?
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Trademarked GloFish with genetic-en
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Mr. Rozhan Abu Dardak Research Offi
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C. Secretariat Dr. Sung Ho Son Prof
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Thurs., 26 May Forenoon Visit Taida
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