A new variety of genetically modified cotton is shaping up to be a game-changer for those looking to grow cotton in northern Australia.
Monsanto’s new Bollgard 3 is currently being trialled on a farm in the Kimberley’s Ord Irrigation Scheme in far north Western Australia.
It was planted in early February [2017] during the wet season and is showing positive signs of being resistant to insects, especially when compared to the Bollgard 2 and conventional cotton varieties that have also been planted in the trial.
CSIRO researcher Stephen Yeates said the cotton industry may have finally found a plant that could withstand the insect pressures of northern Australia’s wet season.
“The Bollgard 3 has an additional gene, which will control a key wet season pest called spodoptera,” he told ABC Rural.
“The additional gene is the only difference [to Bollgard 2]. They’re identical in every other way.
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Dr Yeates said the Bollgard 3 plants at this stage were growing the same as Bollgard 2, but the increased resistance to insects was noticeable.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: New GM technology paves the way for northern Australia’s cotton dreams
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