FAISALABAD, Nov 7: Scientists at the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) have developed an effective, cheap and short process for the production of hybrid crops through Engineered Male Sterility.

“This is the first experiment of its nature in Pakistan which was also published in the most prestigious international science magazine, Nature,” said Dr Muhammad Sarwar of NIBGE.

About the process, he said genetically the size of the stamens of flowers was reduced thus making it unable to fertilize the ovum.

“This process is not only short but also reversible,” he said.

Though the commercialization of hybrid crops would be possible from next year, initially it would be cultivated at limited scale, he added.

FISH SEED: The Faisalabad Fish Hatchery (FFH) has sold 4.6 million fish seed for the current breeding season, said deputy director Dr Muhammad Ashraf.

He told the participants in a meeting here on Monday that the FFH had produced five million fish seed of Grass Carp, Mori, Thala, Gulfam, Silver Carp and Rahu of which 4.6 million were sold to the farmers in the region up to Oct 31.

“The remaining 400,000 fish seed is still available for sale with the FFH,” he concluded.—APP