India develops world's first GM cotton fully resistant to pink bollworm

In a major agricultural breakthrough, scientists at CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, have developed the world's first genetically modified (GM) cotton that offers complete resistance to the Pink Bollworm (PBW), a pest that severely impacts cotton crops in India, Africa, and Asia.

NBRI Director Ajit Kumar Shasany says, existing GM cotton varieties like Bollgard 1 and Bollgard 2, introduced in India in 2002 in collaboration with Monsanto, have struggled to control PBW effectively. The pest developed resistance, leading to significant yield losses.

To address this, a research team led by P K Singh engineered a novel insecticidal gene, providing superior resistance against PBW compared to Bollgard 2. Laboratory trials confirmed that the new GM cotton also offers protection against other pests like the cotton leafworm and fall armyworm.

Recognizing its potential, Nagpur-based Ankur Seeds has partnered NBRI to conduct regulatory safety studies and multi-location field trials. Once validated, the seeds will be licensed to companies for commercial use. This breakthrough not only secures cotton production but also safeguards the livelihoods of millions of farmers, setting a new global standard in pest-resistant crops.