Despite the potentially profound impact of genetically modified crops on agriculture and the environment, we know little about their long-term effects. Transgenic crops that produce toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to control insects are grown widely, but rapid evolution of resistance by pests could nullify their benefits. Here, we present theoretical analyses showing that long-term supp...

Current research suggests that genetic modification of commercial crops may lead to indirect effects on ecosystem function (i.e. decomposition and nutrient cycling processes). We investigated residue decomposition of cotton that was genetically modified to express an endotoxin insecticide isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and/or glyphosate tolerance (Roundup Ready®). Decomposition of th...

Field experiment was conducted for 2 seasons to study the influence of drip fertigation in combination with or without bio fertilizers on yield, plant uptake and soil fertility of Bt cotton. The treatments comprised of four levels of drip fertigation viz., 75, 100, 125 and 150 per cent of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF, NPK) combined with and without bio fertilizers, drip irrigation w...

Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) have been proved the best means for creating awareness of new development in technology generation and to assess various socio-economic variables affecting adoption level farmers as regular feedback is a necessary component these demonstrations. KVK Khargone district has organizing FLDs on Bt-cotton, therefore keeping view researcher’s interest research entitled...

The transgenic Bt cotton plant has been widely planted throughout the world for the control of cotton budworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). However, a shift towards insect tolerance of Bt cotton is now apparent. In this study, the gene encoding neuropeptide F (NPF) was cloned from cotton budworm H. armigera, an important agricultural pest. The npf gene produces two splicing mRNA variants-npf1 ...

Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a key cotton-growing area in one of the most closely watched arenas of the global struggle over genetically modified crops. In 2005 farmers adopted India’s first genetically modified crop, Bt cotton, in numbers that resemble a fad. Various parties, including the biotechnology firm behind the new technology, interpret the spread as the result of farme...

Variability of endotoxin expression and/or concentration within transgenic cotton (Bt) varieties has been and continues to be a concern of cotton growers, researchers, and breeders. While not a consistent problem, it can cause major economic problems. Transgenic cotton cultivars, to be effective throughout the season, must produce additional levels of proteins that conventional cottons do not. ...

Genetically engineered crops represent one of the most controversial and rapidly adopted technologies in the history of agriculture. To improve pest control, scientists have engineered cotton, corn, and soybeans to make insecticidal proteins from the common bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) [1]. These Bt toxins kill some devastating pests, but unlike broad-spectrum insecticides, they do lit...

We examined the fitness costs of resistance to transgenic Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2 Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize in fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a globally invasive pest species. Using Bt-resistant and -susceptible populations similar genetic backgrounds, we compared insect life-history traits population growth rates on foliage Bt or non-Bt cultivars maize, soybean, cotton. found that (i)...