White spot syndrome virus and Aeromonas hydrophila are diseases that have a major impact on shrimp and carp production respectively in India. By improving the disease resistance of aquaculture stock, India could
- reduce the cost of production
- positively affect both the local environment and human health by reducing the use of antibiotics and other chemical treatments
- gain a major advantage in the production of these important food species
However, for a program of genetic improvement to be successfully implemented a number of research and practical considerations need to be resolved. We need to:
- develop effective and specific methods and technology to select for resistance to these two diseases
- build competence in India to apply these techniques
- determine how the distribution of resistant stock can be most effectively implemented throughout India and elsewhere
This project aims to develop and implement new marker assisted selective breeding technology that can be used to select for improved disease resistance and provide solutions on how the genetic resources and IP that are created can be best accessed and distributed in a way that facilitates aquaculture development in India.
