2011 ANNUAL PREVIEW: Transgenics Have Their Uses, but Aren’t a Panacea
January 19, 2011 Only a few years ago, transferring genes into cotton from another species was considered science fiction. Today, transgenic cotton is commonplace and is widely grown in many countries. By expanding the gene pool to other species, transgenic technology has made it possible to acquire traits that were otherwise not available.
Transgenic cottons have had very positive effects on cotton production and promise to continue to provide positive impacts. The two major transgenic types used today are the different forms of Bt genes for worm control and herbicide resistance (e.g., glyphosate resistance, commonly known as Round-up Ready®) genes to assist with weed control. Cottons possessing Bt genes immediately improved insect control and subsequently led to increased yields and lower insect control costs.
Glyphosate-resistant cottons also profoundly affected cotton production systems in the United States. Use of glyphosate for over-the-top weed control simplified the process and decreased the time and effort needed to control weeds.
You can read the rest of this article and dozens of others when the 2011 Cotton International Annual Edition is published. Be sure to watch for it in your mailbox!
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