The National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) scientists have developed an effective, cheap and short process for the production of hybrid crops through engineered male sterility.
"This is the first experiment of its nature in Pakistan, which was also published in the most prestigious international science magazine, "Nature", said Dr Muhammad Sarwar of NIBGE.
About this process, Dr Sarwar said that genetically the size of the stamens of flowers was reduced, thus making it stamens unable to fertilise its ovary.
"This process is not only short, but also reversible", he said, and added that through this process commercialisation of hybrid crops will be possible from next year. "However, initially it would be cultivated at limited scale, he added.