COIMBATORE - A new virus-resistant cassava variety is in the offing. Rasi Seeds Private Ltd and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) have joined hands to develop transgenic cassava resistant to mosaic virus.

According to a press note, the tie-up, supported by the department of biotechnology, under the small business innovation research initiative (SBIRI) scheme, will make use of an indigenous technology developed at the Madurai Kamaraj University.

Cassava is an important crop for the southern region and one of the major constraints in the crop is tackling mosaic disease.

The limited availability of germplasm has been a major impediment and under this scenario, incorporating virus resistance through genetic engineering is considered the best option.