Bt cotton scenario in India

M.NARAYANAN
2019508202
GPB 511
Introduction
 Bt cotton is an insect-resistant transgenic crop designed to
combat the bollworm.
 Bt cotton was created by genetically altering the cotton genome
to express a microbial protein from the bacterium Bacillus
thuringiensis.
 In short, the transgene inserted into the plant's genome produces
toxin crystals that the plant would not normally produce which,
when ingested by a certain population of organisms, dissolves
the gut lining, leading to the organism's death.
Bacillus thuringiensis
 Shigetane Ishiwatari (1901), first isolated Bacillus
thuringiensis as the cause of sotto disease (sudden-collapse
disease) of silkworms, named Bacillus Sotto.
 Bt is commonly abbreviated as Bacillus thuringiensis, is a
gram-positive, facultative aerobic, rod-like, motile and
sporulating bacterium.
 Bt is a naturally-occurring soil borne bacterium that is found
worldwide
 Ubiquitous in nature.
 Produces crystals of endotoxin (Cry protien or delta toxin) -
toxic to insect mainly in their larval stage, thus they act as
insecticides.
 These crystal proteins (Cry proteins) are insect stomach
poisons
 Insects stop feeding within two hours of a first bite and, if
enough toxin is eaten, die within two or three days
 Important biological insect control agent. Bt crystals,
sometimes referred as insecticidal crystal proteins (ICP), are
protein crystals formed duringsporulation in some Bt strains
coded by cry genes.
Structure of Cry Protein.
Mechanisms of Action
 Bt is a family of proteins originating from strains of the
bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.
 There are more than 200 different types of Bt toxins, each
affecting different types of insects.
 The Bt cotton plants are genetically modified by the addition
of genes encoding toxin crystals in the Cry group of endotoxin.
 When ingested by insects, the Cry toxins are dissolved and
activated by the high pH environment of the animal's
gastrointestinal system.
Cont..
 Cry toxins bind to specific locations on the cadherin-like
proteins present on the epithelial cells of the midgut, and form
ion channels allowing potassium ions to flow from the cells.
 As the control of potassium ion concentration is critical to the
survival of every living cell, they are tightly regulated under
normal function.
 With the formation of Cry ion channels and the subsequent
efflux of potassium ions, the affected epithelial cells lyse and
die.
Bt cotton technology
Difference between Bt cotton and non Bt
cotton
A list of the Bt cotton events approved for
cultivation in India
Problems of Bt cotton cultivation
 The first problem is that the seeds produced after cultivation of
Bt cotton are not reusable.
 The second problem is that if Bt cotton is cultivated without
the recommended method then bollworm pest might develop
the resistance against Bt gene and that would lead to loss of
effectiveness of natural eco-friendly pesticides forever.
 The third problem is the chance of availability of fake seeds of
Bt cotton in the market. As a result the failure of crops and
uncertainty of yield could be higher.
 There is also a big threat of gene contamination. It might be
carried by insect or even wind that transfer pollen grains from
Bt cotton to non-Bt cotton plants cultivated nearby.
Safeguard measures
 There is an urgent need to create awareness among the farmers
about the entire Bt-technology and its functioning.
 There is also great need for training to the cotton farmers
about the recommended methods of Bt cotton cultivation.
 For the welfare of Bt cotton cultivators, the government
should establish an institution or organisation which will
prevent the selling of fake Bt cotton seeds.
 A special crop insurance scheme may be developed.
 There is also a need for the development of indigenous Bt
cotton seeds in India so that our farmers need not depend
solely on Monsanto Bt cotton seeds.
Advantage of Bt cotton
 Increases yield of cotton due to effective control of three types of
bollworms, viz. American, Spotted and Pink bollworms.
 Reduction in the cost of cultivation and lower farming risks.
 Reduction in environmental pollution by the use of insecticides rarely.
 Bt cotton exhibit genetic resistance or inbuilt resistance which is a
permanent type of resistance and not affected by environmental
factors.
 Bt cotton is ecofriendly and does not have adverse effect on parasites,
predators, beneficial insecticides and organisms present in soil.
 It promotes multiplication of parasites and predators which help in
controlling the bollworms by feeding on larvae and eggs of bollworm.
 No health hazards due to rare use of insecticides (particularly who is
engaged in spraying of insecticides).
 Bt cotton are early in maturing as compared to non Bt cotton.
Disadvantage
 High cost of Bt cotton seeds as compared to non Bt cotton
seeds.
 Effectiveness up to 120 days, after that the toxin producing
efficiency of the Bt gene drastically reduces.
 Ineffective against sucking pests like jassids, aphids, whitefly
etc.
 High cost of seeds.
 Higher fertilizer and irrigation cost.
 Higher harvest cost.
Potential economic and production benefits of Bt
cotton.
Conclusions from India
 Commercialisation
process
Government handling of
approval process was poor
Hybrid release - maximised
IPR control and company
profits but sales of F2 and F3
material has compromised
efficacy and threatended
susainability
Efficacy
 Excellent control of pink and
spiny bollworms
Inadequate control of cotton
bollworm in the late season
Farmer suitability
Saves labour

 Yield increase 40-60%
(80% in bad bollworm
years (Qaim 2003)
 Benefit very variable
with area, season and
variety
But
 Large amounts of poor
and unauthorised
material
 There is a continuing
References
 Global Impact of Insect-Resistant (Bt) Cotton
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bt_cotton
 Bt cotton