ACI Agribusinesses has started R&D under the Advance Seed Research and Biotech Centre (ASRBC) through Public-Private Partnership which is also encouraged by the Government of Bangladesh. At this moment via Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) collaborative research programs have been implemented with National and International Universities as well as Research Institutions. ASRBC was established in 2012 primarily to contribute to the nutritional food security of Bangladesh through its own R&D activities as well as by Public-Private Partnership. We are focusing on more research and development for ensuring quality products by Biotechnology. The ASRBC Lab is facilitated with a Molecular Breeding Lab, a Pathology Lab, and a Tissue Culture Lab. It has been working on Rice, Wheat, Potato, Tomato, Brinjal, Papaya, Rapeseed and the disease pathogen of Fusarium spp. and Phytopthora spp. Besides, it has a special program on special trait based PGR collection, phenotypical and molecular characterization and conservation. Facilities for biochemical assay and seed health test have also been developed. The molecular lab developed so far has been working with crops using the TILLING technique and that of hybrid breeding along with the use of both conventional and participatory breeding so that the varieties developed can get adopted by the farming community easily.
Molecular Lab: The ASRBC Molecular lab is highly equipped and various techniques are being used for various tests and research purposes. The practices ongoing are DNA and RNA extraction. cDNA synthesis, PCR and RT PCR, Gel electrophoresis and Genetic Fingerprinting. The lab is also working on Marker Assisted selection and also performing hybridity purity testing and ELISA Tests.
Pathology Lab: This lab has been working on the isolation and conservation of plant pathogenic organisms, microscopic and molecular identification of plant pathogens, identification and preservation of various biocontrol agents, development of Biocontrol agents based on pesticides and bio-fertilizer and artificial inoculation of pathogens in developed disease resistant or tolerant crops to evaluate its resistance. Apart from this, the lab is providing support for seed health tests and germination tests.
Tissue Culture Lab: The tissue culture of Jarbera and Lysianthushas been successfully done. This lab is now mainly focused on the tissue culture of potato plantlets for commercial purpose. Along with this banana tissue culture is also in the pipeline. The research is still ongoing and different parameters are being tested.
ACI Pakri-01, a popular Indigenous Potato Variety (IPV), has been improved in yield and uniformity, from 10-12 Mt/ha to 28-30 Mt/ha through positive (+ve) selection. Late blight resistant potato variety development is ongoing through conventional breeding followed by Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). LB resistant gene has been confirmed in advance hybrid lines through field bio-assay and MAS. A wilt resistant prolific Eggplant variety has been developed and seed has been produced for marketing. A wheat variety has been developed through TLLING technique, with higher yield, close to 5.0 Mt/ha, where the normal wheat yield in Bangladesh is 3.0 Mt/ha. Variety is under PDS trial. A cherry Tomato variety has been developed with more uniform size & shape, attractive color and with better taste.
The assistance of Saiful Islam, Scientist & Aqief Afzal, Research Assistant of ASRBC, ACI Ltd for the article is acknowledged.
Professor Lutfur Rahman
