GM Cotton Tolerant to Pink Bollworm

CSIR-NBRI  developed the world's first genetically modified (GM) cotton that is totally resistant to the Pink Bollworm (PBW), a devastating pest affecting cotton crop in India, Africa and Asia.

There is a pressing need to enhance cotton productivity while reducing dependency on chemical pesticides which have environmental and economic drawbacks. Adopting advanced biotechnological interventions offers a sustainable and targeted approach to crop protection. This technology aligns with national goals of improving agricultural resilience, ensuring farmer income, and promoting environmentally responsible farming practices.

This indigenous gene, distinctively effective against PBW, demonstrated superior resistance compared to Bollgard 2 cotton.