Science may come to the rescue of endangered olive ridley sea turtles. Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad have zeroed in on 10 unique genetic markers that would help scientists understand the population dynamics of the species, whose numbers are fast dwindling because of fishing, poaching and other human activities in its nesting areas. The microsatellite markers, which are actually repeating longer portions of the DNA, are considered ideal for the analysis of genetic diversity. They help to assess genetic variability in natural populations and understand their population structure, reproductive behaviour and geographic and climatic conditions for growth. The method can be used to study other related marine turtles as well, and thus help formulate proper strategies for their management and conservation, the researchers report in a recent issue of the journal Conservation Genetics.

Desi GM tech for mustard

Geneticists at the University of Delhi, South Campus, have developed a new transgenic technology for mustard crop, whose yield has hit a plateau for several years now. Developing hybrids in plants like mustard has been rather difficult as they are bisexual and crossing with a dissimilar variety to bestow new traits is not an easy job. The new transgenic mustard variety developed by the DU scientists, however, exhibits 25 to 30 per cent more heterosis (hybrid vigour) than normal varieties. Hybrid vigour is the possibility of obtaining an improved progeny by combining the virtues of its parents. The new transgenic mustard plants are resistant to a cheap and widely used herbicide called Pursuit and are able to survive its spraying, while non-transgenic, fertile plants succumb to it. Such a strategy is important at the farmer’s level to ensure that a field contains only better quality hybrid plants.