R.B. Barwale and colleagues, of the Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company, India, discussed the Prospects for Bt Cotton Technology in India in a paper in the latest issue of Agbioforum’s online journal Tackling the journey made by the first genetically modified crop in India, the paper looks at the events of the last six years, as Bt cotton technology was moved from the laboratory to the field; as well as the progress made by the crop in India’s cotton industry. The introduction of Bt cotton, Barwale reports, led to good control of bollworm species in different growing areas; significantly higher yield and boll retention (compared to control or non-Bt cotton); reduction in expense of insecticide application; additional revenue (Rs.2,500-4,000/acre) in farm income (compared to non-Bt cotton); and no adverse effects on non-target insects or adjacent non-Bt cotton crops. Agbioforum recently released a special issue of its online magazine, this time focusing on Progress, Achievements, and Constraints for Plant Biotechnology in Developing Countries. With guest editors Nigel Taylor, Lawrence Kent, and Claude Fauquet of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., the special edition contains more articles that discuss the experiences of various organizations and agencies in introducing biotechnology to the developing world.
Read the complete article HERE.
For more articles, Access the full issue at http://www.agbioforum.org
