A field trip to Lal Teer Seed Limited at Gazipur

 

At the dawn of 12 December 2022, a team consisting of master’s students led by teachers of the department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of the University of Dhaka started the journey to visit the seed processing and manufacturing center of Lal Teer Seed Limited at Gazipur.

Following a cordial reception, our team was made familiar with the history, objectives, and achievements of Lal Teer Seed Limited through a presentation. Since its inception in 1995, the company has been in constant pursuit of meeting the seed demands of the country. In 2020, it supplied 880 metric tons of seeds out of the annual demand of 5870 metric tons. This is achieved by employing close to 13,000 growers in the northwestern and western districts. The company also boasts 64 district offices, for efficient seed distribution. The company seems to be very proud of its role in women's empowerment by heavily involving them in each step of the process from seed production to packaging. The presentation also included the available testing facilities of the company for checking the seed quality. The compound has MNT Seed Testing Laboratory, which is certified by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). Research at their R&D center has developed varieties of Pumpkin, Eggplant, Tomato, Ridge gourd, Sponge gourd, Wax gourd, Snake gourd, Cucumber, Okra, Onion, Papaya, Chilli, Watermelon, Broccoli, Spinach, Amaranth, Kohlrabi, and Maize through conventional breeding techniques.

In the second part of the presentation, a scientist from the research and development section informed the visiting team about the role of her molecular lab in testing the seeds and developing new lines. Her lab performs molecular fingerprinting using VSSR markers. Also using PCR, the lab tests the genetic hybridity and purity of the seed batches. Furthermore, in collaboration with an Indian company, the lab has developed BenchBio Cucumber, a gynoecious line of cucumber. She also mentioned the tissue culture initiative that has been taken recently by her lab.

After the presentations, our team visited the testing facilities within the compound. First, we visited the seed germination rooms, where the germination efficiency of seeds is checked in a controlled environment of light, humidity, and temperature The figure on the left shows how such germination testing is carried out. Afterward, we inspected the seed moisture-checking and purity-checking equipment. Later, we were shown the processing line for packaging the seeds, the buffer seed stocks, and cold storage godowns. We also saw seed coating, drying, and cleaning machines.

After exploring the building, our team was led into the vegetable fields where research was taking place. At first, we were shown a variety of inbred Eggplant that was somewhat resistant to BSFB (Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer). Then we were informed about the CMS (Cytoplasmic Male Sterility) line and B (Male) line of plant progenies, and how these can be used to develop desir

ed hybrids. The figure on the right shows the field expert explaining a CMS line of Cauliflower.

After a vegetable-dominated lunch offered by our generous host company, our team entered the research and development building. The research team there demonstrated the NaOH-Tris DNA extraction method and explained the steps of using PCR to check for purity and hybridity of seeds. Here SSR primers are used for these tests. Lastly, our team visited the recently inaugurated preliminary tissue culture lab.

The directors of the R&D department and the company expressed interest in using biotechnological and genetic manipulation to improve crops’ characteristics. They also were enthusiastic about recruiting interns.

 

 

 In conclusion, the trip was an eye-opener for us as we learned about the applications of agricultural biotechnology and admired the beautiful area of Lal Teer Seed Limited.