FAISALABAD, Dec 18: The technique of transgenic crops can enhance the productivity and human food resources in Pakistan as out of close to 7,000 plant species, only 15 are being used for human consumption.

University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad gave out this in a video conference lecture on "Germplasm Development – Biology and Biotechnology" here on Thursday.

Through the video conference, he addressed the agriculture scientists and experts of Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam; Balochistan University, Quetta; Arid University; Rawalpindi; and officials of Higher Education; Islamabad.

He said the method of transgenic crops could enable the country to make different species of plants fit for human consumption.

The VC urged the plant breeders to make a joint effort to get true benefits of transgenic crops because it had tremendous potential which required to be discovered by plant breeders, botanists and horticulturists in particular.

He said that globally there was a rising trend in the area of transgenic crops which was a testament of its significance as there were countless avenues of success in it.

He said that the agro-biodiversity developed as an amalgamation of biodiversity and plant genetic resources (germplasm). He said the mango and shesham dieback could be treated by tetracycline but it could not eliminate the virus.

Dr Ahmed said he along with his fellows laid a firm foundation by introducing PARS-70 potato which was suitable for long storage and autumn-to-autumn seed multiplication.