Document Type

Cotton - Production, Insects and Diseases

Publication Date

5-2007

Abstract

Bt cotton has been genetically modified by the insertion of one or more genes from a common soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. These genes encode for the production of insecticidal proteins, and thus, genetically transformed plants produce one or more toxins as they grow. The genes that have been inserted into cotton produce toxins that are limited in activity almost exclusively to caterpillar pests (Lepidoptera). However, other strains of Bacillus thuringiensis have genes that encode for toxins with insecticidal activity on some beetles (Coleoptera) and flies (Diptera). Some of these genes are being used to control pests in other crops, such as corn.

Publication Number

W129 5/07 E12-4615 06-0327

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS