News: India is set to begin large-scale cultivation of Imidazolinone-Resistant (IMI-resistant) mustard hybrids to improve productivity and reduce dependence on edible oil imports.

About

• Developed through mutation breedingàpreserves naturally occurring beneficial mutations.
• Based on modifications in the Acetolactate Synthase (ALS) enzyme, essential for plant growth.
• In normal plants, IMI herbicides block the ALS enzyme, causing plant death.
• In IMI-resistant mustardà Mutation alters the ALS enzyme, preventing herbicide binding and allowing the crop to survive.

Key Advantages

• Effective Weed ControlàHelps manage Orobanche (Phelipanche), a parasitic weed that severely affects mustard crops.
• Minimizes manual weeding operations.
• Better crop growth and yield through efficient weed management= Higher Productivity
• Reduces expenditure on labour-intensive weed control practices.

Significance for India

• Supports oilseed self-reliance and reduces edible oil import dependence.
• Enhances farm productivity and profitability.
• Contributes to sustainable weed management and agricultural modernization