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UPSC Prelims 2021 · Agriculture · Seeds, Water and Fertiliser
Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of
- (a) clonal propagation of crop plants
- (b) developing genetically modified crop plants
- (c) production of plant growth substances
- (d) production of biofertilizers
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) developing genetically modified crop plants
Bollgard I (Cry1Ac) and Bollgard II (Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab) are Bt cotton — genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis make the plant toxic to bollworms.
The idea
Bt cotton (2002) is India’s only commercial GM crop. GM mustard (DMH-11) got environmental release in 2022 but is tied up in court. Approval comes from the GEAC.
Bt gene from a soil bacterium → inserted into cotton → plant makes its own insecticide → bollworm dies
Why the others are wrong
(a) Cloning copies a plant; Bollgard adds a new gene.
(c) Growth substances are hormones like auxins; not Bollgard.
(d) Biofertilisers are microbes like Rhizobium; not Bollgard.
The trap
The pink bollworm has since grown resistant to Bollgard II — but the question only asks what the technology IS.
🔒 Bollgard = Bt cotton (Monsanto/Mahyco) · GEAC approves GM crops · pink bollworm resistance is the current problem.
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