Impact of Bt-engineered cotton on target and non-target arthropods, toxin flow through different trophic levels and seedcotton yield

    Dhillon, M K and Sharma, H C (2009) Impact of Bt-engineered cotton on target and non-target arthropods, toxin flow through different trophic levels and seedcotton yield. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 22 (3). pp. 462-466.

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    Abstract

    Insect-resistant genetically engineered cottons expressing ?-endotoxins from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been adopted on a large scale worldwide. The effects of Bt cotton on non-target insect pests, generalist predators, arthropod diversity and toxin flow through different trophic levels under insecticide protected and unprotected conditions was studied. The populations of major non-target insect pests (leafhoppers, whiteflies, ash weevils, aphids, dusky and red cotton bug, and green bug) and the generalist predators (ladybirds, chrysopids, and spiders) did not differ significantly between the Bt and non-Bt cottons, while their numbers were lower in insecticide protected than under unprotected conditions, except for aphids and whiteflies. Although, Bt toxin was detected in some insect species, no significant differences were observed in their abundance on Bt and non-Bt cottons. Species richness and diversity of plant inhabiting and soil dwelling arthropods was similar in Bttransgenic and non-transgenic cottons, except in a few cases. The Bt-transgenic cotton was effective for the management of bollworms, without any major adverse effects on the non-target arthropods.

    Item Type: Article
    Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
    CRP: UNSPECIFIED
    Subjects: Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
    Depositing User: Library ICRISAT
    Date Deposited: 25 Aug 2011 05:05
    Last Modified: 25 Aug 2011 05:05
    URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/516
    Official URL:
    Projects: UNSPECIFIED
    Funders: UNSPECIFIED
    Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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