PJB-2010-161
STATUS OF BT COTTON CULTIVATION IN MAJOR GROWING AREAS OF PAKISTAN
SHAUKAT ALI, SHAHID HAMEED, SHAHID MASOOD, GHULAM MUHAMMAD ALI AND YUSUF ZAFAR
Abstract
A survey of 10 districts in Sindh and 11 in Punjab was conducted during cotton growing season of 2007-08. Samples were collected from a total of 126 locations. Two samples from each location were subjected to ImmunoStrip analysis for the detection of Bt-Cry protein which revealed that 81% (34/42) and 90% (76/84) samples from Sindh and Punjab provinces, respectively, were positive for Bt protein and harbored CryIAc gene. However, none of the sample was found to have Cry2Ab and Cry1F genes. The samples were further analyzed to confirm their transgenic nature by ELISA for npt- II (Kanamycin) selection marker gene encoded protein. Another limited survey was conducted in 2009-10 to re-assess the situation. Both surveys revealed that Bt transgenic cotton is widely grown in the cotton growing areas of Sindh and Punjab. This is the first science based study to estimate the extent of Bt cotton spread in the country
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