TIL Desk Lucknow:
In a ground-breaking development for agriculture, scientists at the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow have announced the creation of the world’s first genetically modified (GM) cotton that is fully resistant to the Pink Bollworm (PBW), a pest that has long plagued cotton farmers in India, Africa, and Asia.
A Global Breakthrough in Pest Resistance :
Since the introduction of GM cotton in India in 2002, varieties such as Bollgard® 1 and Bollgard® 2 developed jointly with Monsanto of St. Louis, USA have successfully controlled some bollworm species. However, in due course of time, these varieties
have not provided robust control against the Pink Bollworm (PBW), known locally in India as Gulabi Sundi. Over time, the PBW has evolved resistance to the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins used in these technologies, thus increasing the threat. As a result, the cotton yields have been declining substantially in India. Addressing this critical gap, CSIR-NBRI’s researchers, led by Chief Scientist Dr. P. K.
Singh whose career spans nearly 30 years in crop protection have developed a novel insecticidal gene. This indigenous gene, uniquely effective against PBW, has been successfully tested for PBW resistance as compared to Bollgard® 2 cotton. Rigorous
laboratory trials at NBRI have shown that the new GM cotton is highly tolerant to PBW, while also offering protection against other pests such as the cotton leafworm and the fall armyworm.
Partnership for Commercialization :
Recognizing the potential of this pioneering technology, a Nagpur-based agri-biotech company M/s Ankur Seeds Pvt. Ltd. has offered to partner with CSIR-NBRI. Ankur Seeds will collaborate on safety studies as per regulatory guidelines and generate extensive multi location data from field trials with the NBRI technology in their
proprietary hybrid cotton varieties. Once these studies confirm the technology’s safety, the seeds will be licensed to multiple seed companies for further variety and hybrid development, leading to widespread commercialization.
Economic and Environmental Benefits for Farmers : The introduction of this innovative technology promises significant benefits:
• Higher Yields by crop protection: Once introduced into hybrid cotton varieties by seed companies, cotton productivity could increase by about 20%, compared to current yields that have been around 420 to 450 kg and are on a downward trend.
• Increased Farmer Income: Higher lint yields can boost farmers’ income by around ₹10,000 per hectare. Thus, the new technology by CSIR could dramatically improve the livelihoods of cotton growers.
• Reduced Pesticide Use: By cutting down on the need for frequent pesticide spray, the farmers would have a saving of roughly ₹2,000 per hectare. The new technology, thus supports both cost reduction and environmental sustainability. Cotton, a high-value cash crop contributing significantly to India’s export earnings ranks among the top three revenue-generating crops. It stands to regain its economic vigor through this breakthrough by NBRI.
A New Era for Cotton Production :
As India celebrates National Science Day, the release of this indigenous, globally unique GM technology marks a significant leap forward in sustainable agriculture. By protecting cotton from the persistent threat of Pink Bollworm, CSIR-NBRI’s innovation not only safeguards the livelihoods of millions of farmers but also sets a
new benchmark for pest resistance worldwide. This breakthrough is a shining example of Indian innovation under the banner of Atmanirbhar Bharat, promising a future of higher yields, improved farmer incomes, and a cleaner environment.
For further details, please contact:
Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany, Director. NBRI, Lucknow: director@nbri.res.in Dr. Rakesh Tuli, New Chandigarh, Punjab: rakeshtuli@hotmail.com Dr. Ashwin Kashikar, M/s Ankur Seeds Private Ltd, Nagpur: ashwinkashikar@ankurseeds.com
