HTBt Cotton
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: NIE
Context: An expert panel under India’s biotech regulator has submitted a favourable biosafety report on HTBt cotton, bringing it one step closer to commercial approval by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
About HTBt cotton:
• What is HTBt Cotton? HTBt (Herbicide-Tolerant Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton is a genetically modified cotton variety that combines two traits: Insect resistance (via Bt gene), and Tolerance to herbicides like glyphosate, enabling simplified weed control in cotton farming. Developed By: Developed by Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (Bayer), featuring the Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BG-II RRF) trait. How It Is Developed? Genetic engineering introduces Cry genes (from Bt bacterium) for pest resistance. Additional integration of CP4-EPSPS gene enables herbicide tolerance, allowing crops to survive glyphosate spraying while weeds perish. Key Features of HTBt Cotton: Dual-Trait Technology: Combines bollworm resistance and herbicide tolerance in a single crop. Weed Management Efficiency: Enables over-the-top glyphosate spraying, minimizing the need for manual weeding and labour. Higher Yield Stability: Reduces crop losses due to weeds and insects, improving productivity. Supports Mechanisation: Suitable for large-scale mechanised farming in regions facing labour shortages. Farmer Cost Savings: Reduces input costs on weeding; improves net profitability. Significance: Addresses labour shortages and rising costs of manual weeding in cotton farming. Helps combat yield stagnation caused by factors like Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) in Bt cotton areas. Reduces illegal seed use and enforces quality control through regulated commercial cultivation.
• HTBt (Herbicide-Tolerant Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton is a genetically modified cotton variety that combines two traits: Insect resistance (via Bt gene), and Tolerance to herbicides like glyphosate, enabling simplified weed control in cotton farming.
• Insect resistance (via Bt gene), and
• Tolerance to herbicides like glyphosate, enabling simplified weed control in cotton farming.
• Developed By: Developed by Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (Bayer), featuring the Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BG-II RRF) trait.
• How It Is Developed? Genetic engineering introduces Cry genes (from Bt bacterium) for pest resistance. Additional integration of CP4-EPSPS gene enables herbicide tolerance, allowing crops to survive glyphosate spraying while weeds perish.
• Genetic engineering introduces Cry genes (from Bt bacterium) for pest resistance.
• Additional integration of CP4-EPSPS gene enables herbicide tolerance, allowing crops to survive glyphosate spraying while weeds perish.
• Key Features of HTBt Cotton: Dual-Trait Technology: Combines bollworm resistance and herbicide tolerance in a single crop. Weed Management Efficiency: Enables over-the-top glyphosate spraying, minimizing the need for manual weeding and labour. Higher Yield Stability: Reduces crop losses due to weeds and insects, improving productivity. Supports Mechanisation: Suitable for large-scale mechanised farming in regions facing labour shortages. Farmer Cost Savings: Reduces input costs on weeding; improves net profitability.
• Dual-Trait Technology: Combines bollworm resistance and herbicide tolerance in a single crop.
• Weed Management Efficiency: Enables over-the-top glyphosate spraying, minimizing the need for manual weeding and labour.
• Higher Yield Stability: Reduces crop losses due to weeds and insects, improving productivity.
• Supports Mechanisation: Suitable for large-scale mechanised farming in regions facing labour shortages.
• Farmer Cost Savings: Reduces input costs on weeding; improves net profitability.
• Significance: Addresses labour shortages and rising costs of manual weeding in cotton farming. Helps combat yield stagnation caused by factors like Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) in Bt cotton areas. Reduces illegal seed use and enforces quality control through regulated commercial cultivation.
• Addresses labour shortages and rising costs of manual weeding in cotton farming.
• Helps combat yield stagnation caused by factors like Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) in Bt cotton areas.
• Reduces illegal seed use and enforces quality control through regulated commercial cultivation.