Agricultural Biotechnology in Sri Lanka Kumudu Fernando Seed Certification and plant protection Centre, Department of Agriculture

Tissue Culture Micropropagation -1.Mass production 2.Virus elimination Embryo Rescue Anther culture Secondary metabolite production Protoplast culture In vitro conservation

Applications Mass production potato Seed potato production D.O.A. Orchids Anthurium Gerbera D.O.A. Ornamentals University Pineapple Private Strawberry sector Medicinal plants

Virus elimination Micrografting (citrus) Meristem culture Potato Banana In vitro conservation Root & Tuber crops D.O.A.

Although tissue culture has been carried out since the mid-seventies, the benefits to the farmer have not been satisfactory

Issues Need for a central laboratory for technology development and dissemination Need for collaboration among institutions preventing duplications and enhancing complementation. Need for extension programmes to ensure the delivery of products to farmers. Need for increased farmer participation

Increased attention should be given to: Biopesticides Biofertilizer Product development through biotechnology Sufficient attention has not been given to the above although they are important for Sri Lanka and although the techniques involved are relatively simple

Modern agricultural Biotechnology Applications MAS – markers for pest and disease resistance in crops e.g. GM, BPH, BLB thrip resistance in rice- D.O.A resistance against bacterial wilt in tomato

Issues Need for national & international collaboration Training- long term & short term Expert visits Need for financial support for R&D Need for continued supply of chemicals Need for knowledge/experience in bioinformatics

rDNA technology The following should be considered prior to embarking on rDNA technology Need to evaluate broader impact on on-going agriculture. Impact on economy- cost effectiveness Who are the beneficiaries Appropriateness of the technology for the target group Impact on biodiversity and environment IPR protection Biosafety

Issues Government support for R&D Need to identify the institutions Need for collaboration and establishment of partnerships Need to identify the modes of collaboration Need for capacity building International support on specific technological problems as Sri Lanka is far behind in DNA technology Biosafety mechanisms in place Information sharing and public awareness

Molecular diagnostics Identification of plant quarantine pests & diseases Pest detection for plant protection Testing of GM crops

Molecular characterization of crop germplasm and their wild relatives Markers (biochemical and molecular) for seed certification Varietal protection Identification of desirable genes Data base development

Thank you!