The cotton industry in North India is facing severe challenges due to whiteflies and pink bollworms.
Key issues related Cotton Production
- Cotton cultivation in Punjab dropped from 8 lakh hectares three decades ago to just 1 lakh hectares in 2024.
- The decline in cotton production has severely impacted the ginning industry, with operational ginning units in Punjab reducing from 422 in 2004 to just 22.
- Farmers are advocating for the approval of Bollgard-3, a genetically modified (GM) cotton variety with improved pest resistance.
Bt Technology
- Definition: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) technology involves inserting genes from the Bt bacterium into crops, making them resistant to insect pests.
- How It Works: The Bt gene produces a toxin that targets specific insect larvae, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and improving crop yield.
- Examples of Bt Crops:
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- Bt Cotton – Resistant to bollworm pests.
- Bt Brinjal – Protects against fruit and shoots borers.
- Bt Maize – Shields against stem borers.
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About Bollgard-3
- It is a new pest-resistant GM cotton variety developed by Monsanto over a decade ago.
- Purpose: Provides better resistance against insect pests, especially the pink bollworm and other lepidopteran pests.Features of Bollgard-3
About Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, and Vip3A
- Cry1Ab: Kills caterpillars (lepidopteran pests) like corn borers and bollworms.
- Cry1Ac: More effective against bollworms, especially pink bollworm.
- Vip3A: A newer Bt protein that targets a broader range of pests, including armyworms.
- Advantage of Vip3A: More powerful against pests resistant to Cry1Ac.
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- Contains three Bt proteins, Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, and Vip3A, which kill pests by disrupting their gut function.
- More effective than Bollgard-2, which contains only two Bt proteins (Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab).
How does Bollgard-3 Work ?
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a naturally occurring soil bacterium with insecticidal properties.
- Bt genes inserted into cotton plants produce proteins toxic to pests.
- When pests consume the plant, these proteins damage their digestive system, leading to their death.
Why is Bollgard-3 Important for India?
- Current Bt Cotton (Bollgard-2) is Losing Effectiveness: Introduced in 2006 but is no longer effective against pink bollworm due to pest resistance.
- Reduces Dependency on Pesticides: Lowers pesticide use, reducing costs and health risks for farmers.
- Increases Yield and Profitability: Enhances cotton productivity and reduces crop losses due to pests.
Regulatory Challenges
- Not Yet Approved in India: Used in other countries but awaiting approval from India’s regulatory bodies.
- Past Approvals:
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- Bollgard-1 (2002): Approved as a single-gene technology by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).
- Bollgard-2 (2006): Approved as a double-gene technology.
- Regulatory Delays: The approval process for next-generation GM cotton varieties has been slow.
Conclusion
- Without high-yielding, pest-resistant varieties like Bollgard-3, Punjab’s cotton industry faces an uncertain future.
- Other countries, like Brazil, are already using advanced technologies (e.g., Bollgard-5) and achieving significantly higher yields.
- Farmers continue to push for the approval of Bollgard-3 to combat pest infestations and revive cotton cultivation in India.
About Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci)
- Whiteflies are sap-sucking pests that feed on cotton plants by extracting plant juices.
- They spread rapidly in warm and dry conditions, making cotton fields highly vulnerable.
- These pests transmit viral diseases, such as cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV), which severely affects crop health.
- Whiteflies reproduce quickly, making it difficult to control their population.
Impact on Productivity
- Stunted Growth: The loss of sap weakens plants, leading to stunted growth and reduced yields.
- Leaf Damage: Infested leaves become yellow and dry, hampering photosynthesis and plant development.
- Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV): Causes curling, vein thickening, and reduced boll formation, leading to significant crop losses.
- Quality Reduction: Cotton fibers from infected plants are of poor quality, lowering market value.
- Increased Pesticide Use: Farmers resort to excessive pesticide application, increasing production costs and environmental risks.
About Pink Bollworms (Pectinophora gossypiella)
- The pink bollworm is a lepidopteran pest that primarily attacks cotton bolls.
- The larvae bore into cotton bolls, feeding on seeds and fibers from the inside.
- Infestation occurs in warm conditions and spreads rapidly if not controlled early.
- The pest is resistant to many pesticides, making chemical control difficult.
Impact on Productivity
- Lower Cotton Yields: Damaged bolls lead to reduced cotton production per hectare.
- Poor Fiber Quality: Infested cotton bolls produce weak and discolored fibers, affecting the textile industry.
- Delayed Maturity: Infested bolls open prematurely, leading to unripe and low-quality cotton.
- Resistance to Bt Cotton (Bollgard-2): The pink bollworm has developed resistance to Bollgard-2, making pest control a challenge.
- Economic Losses: Increased pest damage forces farmers to invest more in pest management, reducing profit margins.
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