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July 31, 2003
The latest genetically
modified (GM) cotton which dramatically reduces pesticide use by
combating insect pests in cotton crops, Bollgard® II, will be
commercially available for planting in Australia this year.
"Following the introduction in 1996 of the GM cotton, Ingard®,
Australian growers have reduced their pesticide use by about 50
per cent where Ingard® is planted, compared to conventional
cotton," says CSIRO Plant
Industry cotton breeder, Dr Greg Constable.
"Three years of field trials show that Bollgard® II is even
better than Ingard®, reducing pesticide
use by up to 75 per cent compared to conventional cotton."
"Furthermore, cotton fibre yield and quality in Bollgard® II
varieties is equivalent to that in conventional cotton
varieties."
Bollgard® II was developed by inserting two insecticidal genes
from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into cotton
so that when cotton's major insect pest Helicoverpa eats the
cotton, it dies.
"Bollgard® II is highly specific only affecting the insect pests
we don't want, as opposed to some conventional pesticides that
may kill more than the target insect, including the beneficial
insects," Dr Constable says.
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator approved the general
release of Bollgard® II last year and in 2003-2004 it will
comprise about 15 per cent of the total cotton crop.
By 2004-2005 Bollgard® II could be 80 per cent of the cotton
crop and Ingard®, the original GM cotton, will not be grown at
all after the 2003/04 season to minimise the risk of insects
developing resistance to Bt.
"The cotton industry has been keenly awaiting the introduction
of Bollgard® II and its adoption will be a large step forward in
insect pest management and resistance management as well as
environmental and community health," says Dr Constable.
Bollgard® II varieties were developed by CSIRO Plant Industry,
using genes under licence from Monsanto, and will be sold by
Cotton Seed Distributors.
The Australian Cotton Cooperative Research Centre supported the
development of Bollgard® II resistance management strategies.
Visit the Bollgard® II website at:
www.csiro.au/bollgard |
