High-yielding Bt Cotton Variety Withstands Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Cotton is an incredibly important crop for farmers in India's Central Zone, a region that relies heavily on rain. However, these farmers face tough challenges, including low crop yields, unpredictable rainfall, droughts, pests, and plant diseases. While older Bt cotton varieties helped control bollworm pests, farmers still need new cotton varieties that yield high and can withstand biotic and abiotic stresses.

To address this, a new type of Bt cotton, called NH 1901 Bt, was developed specifically for the rain-reliant regions of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. It was tested in multiple locations over three years (from 2020 to 2023). The results showed that the new variety performs significantly better than older released varieties in terms of yield, disease and pest protection, and fiber quality. NH 1901 Bt produced an average of 1,474 kg of cotton per hectare, which is about 17% more cotton than the standard local Bt cotton variety (Suraj Bt) and 21% more than a standard non-Bt cotton variety (NH 615). NH 1901 Bt also showed strong resistance to bacterial blight and Alternaria leaf spot, as well as great resistance to sap-sucking pests. The cotton fibers were also found to be strong, long, and thick, optimal for making medium-grade fabric.

Read more in Transgenic Research.