ACI Agribusiness has started biotechnological studies 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 Dhaka University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. We are focusing more on research and development for ensuring quality products through Biotechnology. The ASRBC Lab is facilitated with a Molecular Breeding Lab, a Pathology Lab & a Tissue Culture Lab. We have been working on Wheat, Potato, Tomato, Brinjal, Cucumber and the disease pathogen of Fusarium spp. and Phytopthora spp. The ASRBC has also strong program on special trait-based PGR collection, phenotypical and molecular characterization and conservation. We are also working on hybridity testing, biochemical assay, germination tests, seed health and seed quality tests. 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 Research: The ASRBC Molecular lab is highly equipped and various techniques are being used for different 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 ELISA Tests. One table tomato, one cherry tomato and one brinjal variety has already been developed from this laboratory and registered from the Ministry of Agriculture. We are also working for developing high yielding wheat variety with target yield of 5 ton/ ha and mung bean having targeted yield of 2 ton/ha. We are working on developing eco-friendly cucumber variety resistant from Mosaic Virus funded by BAS-USDA.
Pathology Lab Research: 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 has already been developed. We have successfully isolated and preserved two strains of pathogenic Fusarium sp and Phytopthora sp for our resistant breeding research of tomato, brinjal and potato. We have also isolated and identified two strains of Trichoderma sp. which we will be using for the production of bio fertilizer and bio pesticides.
Tissue Culture Lab Research: 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.
Prepared by
Aqief Afzal
Research Assistant
ASRBC, ACI LTD.
