NBRI develops GM cotton resistant to pink bollworm

Lucknow: In a ground-breaking advancement for agriculture, scientists at the CSIR-NBRI in Lucknow claim to have developed the world’s first genetically modified (GM) cotton that is totally resistant to the Pink Bollworm (PBW), a devastating pest affecting cotton crop in India, Africa and Asia.
“Since the implementation of GM cotton in India in 2002, varieties such as Bollgard 1 and Bollgard 2, developed jointly with Monsanto of St. Louis, US, have effectively controlled certain bollworm species. However, these varieties have not maintained robust defence against the PBW, known locally in India as Gulabi Sundi,” said NBRI director Ajit Kumar Shasany.
He explained that the PBW developed resistance to the proteins utilised in these technologies, intensifying the threat. Consequently, cotton yields diminished substantially in India.
Addressing this crucial challenge, CSIR-NBRI’s researchers, led by chief scientist Dr PK Singh, whose expertise spans nearly 30 years in crop protection, engineered a novel insecticidal gene. This indigenous gene, distinctively effective against PBW, demonstrated superidesistance compared to Bollgard 2 cotton.
“Comprehensive laboratory trials at NBRI have demonstrated that the new GM cotton exhibits exceptional tolerance to PBW while providing protection against other pests like the cotton leafworm and the fall armyworm,” he said.
He said recognising the potential of this pioneering technology, Nagpur-based agri-biotech company M/s Ankur Seeds Pvt. Ltd has proposed a partnership with NBRI.
Ankur Seeds will collaborate on safety studies following regulatory guidelines and generate extensive multi-location data from field trials with NBRI technology.
Upon confirmation of the technology’s safety, the seeds will be licensed to seed companies for further variety and hybrid development, facilitating widespread commercialisation.
“By safeguarding cotton from the threat of Pink Bollworm, CSIR-NBRI’s innovation protects the livelihoods of millions of farmers while establishing a new benchmark for pest resistance globally,” he added.
Source : Timesofindia