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Study sees new red in Bt cotton: Pink bollworm
E-Tex Staff - New Delhi
The Pink bollworm is emerging as a major pest in the
cotton belt, specially in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, according to field observations,
and the toxin in Bt cotton is proving to be ineffective against it. The toxin
present in Bt cotton does not kill pink bollworm, it kills only the green bollworm,
said Dr Suman Sahai, director of Gene Campaign, on her return from Hyderabad.
Dr Sahai held consultations with scientists, farmers,
NGOs, representatives of the seed industry and cotton traders to take stock
of the current scenario with respect to Bt cotton. There was a growing concern
expressed about the future of Bt varieties in the situation developing with
pink bollworm. Scientists confirmed the incidence of pink bollworm was on the
rise and the pest attack was getting stronger every year. Substantial savings
in pesticide use could not be expected despite the toxin in Bt cotton since
farmers would have to continue to spray to control pink bollworm, she said.
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