September 4, 2013

Source: Crop Biotech Update

Bollworms and leafworms are common problems in cotton production particularly in Burkina Faso. Thus, scientist Bourgou Larbouga from Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA) and colleagues conducted immunological tests to investigate the pollen-mediated outflow of transgenes from Bt cotton in Farako-Bâ, Boni and Kouaré. The researchers used Bollgard II detection kits to assess the presence or absence of transgenes.
The experiment was conducted in Bt cotton plots surrounded by non-Bt fields. The distances between the Bt and the non-Bt fields were recorded, as well as the application of pest control measures. Results showed that without insecticide application, the flow of transgene near the source (about 2 meters) was higher than those of more distant rates. For fields with insecticide application, no transgene was detected at ≥ 25 meters from the Bt field. The results of this study can be used in devising strategies to prevent outflow of Bt cotton transgenes in Burkina Faso.

Read more about the study at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJb/PDF/pdf2013/14Aug/Bourgou%20et%20al.pdf.

Website: http://www.isaaa.org/kc/

Published: September 4, 2013