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Development and commercial use of Bollgard ® cotton in the USA – early promises versus today's reality
Author(s) -
Perlak Frederick J.,
Oppenhuizen Mark,
Gustafson Karen,
Voth Richard,
Sivasupramaniam Saku,
Heering David,
Carey Boyd,
Ihrig Robert A.,
Roberts James K.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-313x.2001.01120.x
Subject(s) - gossypium , agronomy , biology
Summary Bollgard ® cotton is the trademark given to a number of varieties of cotton bio‐engineered to produce an insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). When produced by the modified cotton plants, this protein controls certain lepidopterous cotton insect pests. Commercially available since 1996, these cotton varieties are purchased under a license agreement in which the growers pay a fee and agree to abide by the terms, which include a 1‐year license to use the technology and agreement to participate in an insect resistance management program. Today, Bollgard ® cotton is grown on more than one‐third of all cotton acreage in the USA. This product has reduced cotton production costs and insecticide use by providing an effective alternative to chemical insecticides for the control of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens; cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea; and pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella . The specificity and safety profile of the Bt protein produced in planta in cotton was maintained. It has retained its selectivity for lepidopterous insects and lacks the characteristics found in potential allergenic proteins. Fiber quality, the agronomic characteristics of the plant and seed composition remain unchanged. New cotton technology is being developed to provide improved insect control and a wider spectrum of activity. These future products could further reduce insecticide use in the production of cotton, while maintaining the high level of safety and reliability that has been demonstrated by five seasons of Bollgard ® cotton use.