Iran’s Nat’l Institute of Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology Presents 3 New Products
“One of the products is the probiotic production technology for livestock, poultry and aquatic feed named biological cement. Bio-cement is micro-organisms that can be sprinkled on desert sand, multiply and prevent dust formation and lead to soil stabilization,” said Amir Meymandi, the head of Iran’s National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
Another product of the Institute is animal and poultry feed additives, which are used as growth stimulants, as well as nanocapsules containing essential oils and active plant compounds, which are used in animal, poultry and aquatic feed as an alternative to antibiotics that stimulate growth and increase weight and improve weight, he said, adding that it is used in raising livestock, poultry and aquatic animals.
“Beetroot resistant to rhizomania pest is another product of the Institute. We have produced transgenic sugar beet that is resistant to this pest,” Meymandi noted.
In sugar beet, losses of up to 60% are caused by the viral disease rhizomania.
In contrast to fungal or animal pests, viruses cannot be directly combated by the use of chemicals. Traditional procedures, such as decreasing the propagation of the viruses by crop rotation, are not always successful. Another way to control virus infections has been to attack the virus-transferring insects, specially aphids, with pesticides.
4155/v
