Whitefly Resistance Technology

Whitefly Resistance Technology isolating insecticidal protein (namely Tma12) from an edible fern which interferes with Whitefly''s reproduction.

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is one of the emerging sap-sucking pests. It damages several field crops across the world and causes ser MX351264Bious yield losses. It is a serious pest in polyhouses too. The insect damages crops by sucking plant sap and transmitting plant viral diseases. A new insecticidal protein (namely Tma12) has been isolated from an edible fern. Tma12 is toxic to whitefly and interferes with its reproduction at sub-lethal doses.  Tma12 gene has been introduced in cotton. The GM cotton lines show high resistance against whitefly infestations. Whitefly resistance protects cotton from viral diseases also.

• Approximately 96% of cotton grown worldwide is Bt cotton (Bollgard II). The variety is resistant to three insect species (known as Bollwarm complex).
  Bt cotton varieties are not resistant to whitefly and also to plant viruses that it vectors.
• Our transgenic cotton lines show >99% control of whitefly population and also protection from viral diseases.
• Anti-whitefly gene/protein is sourced from an edible fern; there is a large possibility of transgenic cotton being safe.
• There is no competitive technology available in world as of now.