For the latter a DNA delivery machine is required. Although rice being a monocot is not a natural host for Agrobacterium, methods have been successfully evolved for infection and transformation of rice using this poor man s vector. The major problem with lentil production in our country is fungal infection causing great crop losses. The strategy for fungus resistance is simple. Introduction of genes for the enzymes chitinase and glucanase into lentil should prove to be effective against the fungus.
Most fungi contain chitin and glucan in their cell walls.
Fungus infecting plants producing chitinase and glucanase will digest the cell walls of these fungi, leading to their destruction. Jute is one of our major cash crops, which is the principal source of livelihood for several million people, including 3 million farmers. The major problems of jute are the mite pest and the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. A systematic investigation into toxin proteins produced by the bacteria bacillus thuringiensis in both the vegetative and the sporulation may help to identify suitable toxins effective against the jute mite. For obtaining fungus resistance, strategies outlined for lentil can be easily used.