Insect resistance transgenic plants

Transgenic plants

1. Dr. M. PAVUNRAJ, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Post Graduate & Research Department of Zoology VIVEKANANDA COLLEGE ( AUTONOMOUS) Tiruvedakam West, Madurai – 625 234 Insect Resistance Transgenic Plants

2. Why Insect Resistance? 14% annual losses of potential crop yields is due to insect pests. Increasing the cost-benefit ratio. Reducing the environmental pollution. Resistant varieties non toxic to man, farm animals and wild life.

3. [ipt  -  isopentenyl transferase] Ti-plasmid of  Agrobacterium tumefaciens

4. particula r

5. What is BT Cotton? Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) include crops that are modified by inserting gene/s from any other organism - plant, animal or microorganism. Genetically modified variety of cotton and brinjal that produces an insecticide. Marketed by Monsanto, USA.

6. Bt Cotton which claims enhanced resistance to attacks by bollworms. This has been done by using a gene of  Bacillus thurengiensis , a soil bacterium, and inserting it into cotton plant. Now a similar technique is promoted for Brinjal cultivation by allowing commercial release of Bt Brinjal on the claims of resistance to stem and fruit borer Leucinodes orbonalis .

7. Cotton Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Cotton yield loss up to 70% by the larvae

8. Disadvantages Allergic Tumorogenicity- ie.capable of causing tumor High mortality and infertility of off spring Poor growth Damage to liver, pancreas, and gut lining Affects immune system