Genetically modified rubber planted in northeast India

The India Rubber Board’s research farm in Saturi, near Guwahati, India, has planted the world’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber plant, tailored specifically for the climate found in the region.

Developed at the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) in Kottayam, Kerala, the GM rubber plant is said to contain additional copies of the MnSOD (manganese-containing superoxide dismutase) gene, which has been inserted into the plant to help it survive the extremely cold northeast Indian winter, which is a major challenge for young rubber plants.

Source: Tire Technology International