HT Mustard DMH-11

HT Mustard DMH-11 (Herbicide-Tolerant Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11) is a genetically modified mustard hybrid developed in India using transgenic technology. It represents one of the most debated genetically modified (GM) food crops in the country, symbolising both the potential of biotechnology in agriculture and the controversies surrounding genetic modification, biosafety, and food sovereignty.

Development and Genetic Mechanism

DMH-11 was developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University, under the leadership of Dr Deepak Pental. It employs the barnase-barstar-bar gene system derived from the bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
The genetic mechanism functions as follows:

• Barnase gene: Introduces male sterility in mustard plants, preventing self-pollination and enabling the production of hybrids.
• Barstar gene: Acts as a fertility restorer by inhibiting the barnase gene in hybrid plants.
• Bar gene: Provides tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium, enabling farmers to control weeds without damaging the mustard crop.

The barnase-barstar system allows the development of high-yielding mustard hybrids, while herbicide tolerance facilitates efficient weed management.

Objectives of Development

The creation of DMH-11 was aimed at addressing several challenges in Indian agriculture:

• Enhancing productivity: Mustard yields in India are significantly lower than global averages. Hybrid technology offers potential yield improvements.
• Reducing edible oil imports: India is heavily dependent on imported edible oils. Increasing domestic mustard production is seen as a step towards food security.
• Weed management: Herbicide tolerance reduces dependence on manual labour for weeding, lowering production costs.

Regulatory Journey in India

The approval process of HT Mustard DMH-11 has been lengthy and controversial. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, first recommended its release for field trials in 2017. Renewed approval was given in 2022 for environmental release and seed production.
However, legal petitions, public protests, and judicial interventions have slowed its commercialisation. The matter has been debated in the Supreme Court of India, with critics questioning biosafety assessments and long-term ecological impacts.

Potential Benefits

Supporters of DMH-11 highlight several anticipated benefits:

• Higher yields: Hybrid vigour could improve mustard productivity.
• Efficient weed control: Glufosinate herbicide application may reduce costs and labour in weed management.
• Oil security: Increased production could reduce India’s dependence on imported edible oils.
• Scientific progress: Adoption of GM mustard could encourage investment and research in agricultural biotechnology.

Concerns and Criticism

The introduction of DMH-11 has provoked considerable criticism from environmentalists, farmers’ groups, and sections of the scientific community. Key concerns include:

• Biosafety risks: Fears of unintended ecological consequences, including effects on pollinators like honeybees, which are crucial for mustard pollination.
• Herbicide dependence: Increased use of chemical herbicides could lead to environmental pollution, soil degradation, and herbicide-resistant weeds.
• Seed sovereignty: Farmers may become dependent on commercial seed suppliers, undermining traditional seed-saving practices.
• Health concerns: Although no conclusive evidence exists, public scepticism persists regarding long-term health effects of consuming GM crops.
• Alternatives ignored: Critics argue that conventional breeding and agro-ecological methods could also improve mustard yields without genetic modification.

Global Context

Globally, herbicide-tolerant crops such as soybean, maize, and canola have been widely adopted, particularly in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. These crops have transformed agricultural practices but have also sparked debates about herbicide resistance, biodiversity loss, and corporate control of agriculture.
India has so far permitted only one GM crop for commercial cultivation—Bt cotton—introduced in 2002. DMH-11 is therefore seen as a test case for GM food crops in India.

Significance for Indian Agriculture

HT Mustard DMH-11 represents both opportunity and controversy. Its successful adoption could enhance domestic mustard production, contribute to food and oil security, and place India on the global map of agricultural biotechnology. At the same time, unresolved issues regarding biosafety, ecological sustainability, and socio-economic impacts must be addressed through transparent research, independent reviews, and inclusive policymaking.
The final decision on DMH-11 is expected to shape the trajectory of genetically modified food crops in India, influencing agricultural policy, food security strategies, and the balance between technological innovation and ecological protection.