Seed company Mahyco highlights merit of Bt brinjal hybrids

Even as the government continues with moratorium on biotech crops, a leading seed company has contended that Bt brinjal hybrids have greater resistance to pests and significantly higher yield.

This has been demonstrated after field tests in more than 50 locations that represent major brinjal growing regions in India during 2004 to 2008, Usha Barwale, Chief Technology Officer of leading private sector seed company Mahyco, told a team of visiting journalists.

Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are the main brinjal growing areas.

She said during multi-location research trials, various parametres were assessed such as damage caused to insects, yield of marketable fruit, insecticide usage and economic benefits.