Second generation of insect resistant transgenic field crops against major lepidopteran pests.

The laboratory has already generated Bt cotton lines for the first time in this country that has gone to the farmer’s field for last 2 years. An improved additional version of the technology that has been made available is the possibility for generation of GM crop plants that would protect against damages caused to the crop by lepidopteran insects. This is unlike protection against only cotton bollworm that the first generation Bt cotton offered. The new technology makes use of novel insecticidal toxins beyond the range of patent restriction and also fulfills all requirements of biosafety issues.
The technology is ready for adoption.

• Toxic to target insects
• Wider applicability amongst crop plants
• Free from patent restriction
• Use of novel insecticidal peptides

• The technology is sounder than any of the similar approaches in cotton available in the market.
• The technology can be made applicable to wide range of crop species and not restricted to cotton alone.
• The toxin peptides used are insecticidal to lepidopteran insects only and are known to be non toxic to others.
• Plant expression and protection against insects in transgenic plants have been tested.
• The strategy for protection of crop plants against insects can withstand global competition.