MM1.4: Development and promotion of ?Bt' transgenic cotton for bollworm resistance

At present Bt transgenic cotton is only restricted with hybrids. More than hundreds of hybrids with Bt version have been released for cultivation by private sector. Development of Bt cotton hybrids by public sector is the immediate requirement which will help Indian farmer its availability at reasonable price. It is also necessary to encourage straight variety transgenic to eliminate problems of hybrid technology and to enhance yield potential through higher plant population particularly in rain-fed ecosystem of central and part of South Zone. The project is aimed to transfer approved Bt gene events into recommended varieties released by different cotton growing states of India and also in parents of popular hybrids. In addition, genetic transformation with new Bt genes (cry1Aa3, cry2A and cry1F) will also be undertaken in hirsutum and arboretum cotton. Efforts are also needed to transfer these events in long linted diploid arboretum cotton varieties with high productivity so that they can be grown under rain-fed condition with low inputs. The transfer of Bt technology particularly in varieties of hirsutum and arboretum cotton will help to reduce high seed cost associated with Bt hybrid seed production which will be beneficial for poor and marginal farmers of the country.

OBJECTIVES

• Transfer of approved Bt gene events to elite cotton genotypes and parents of hybrids.
• Genetic transformation of new Bt genes.
• Identification of stable and highly expressive new events.

Name of the Lead Center: UAS, Dharwad

Co-operating Centers: PAU, Faridkot, CICR RS, Coimbatore, PDKV, Akola, ANGRAU, Lam, Guntur, MAU, Nanded, HAU, Hisar, JNKVV, and Khandwa.