PAU developed first Bt Cotton Variety

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed the first genetically-modified (Bt) cotton seeds that can be reused, resulting in saving of input cost to farmers.  

The new cotton variety is among few others identified by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for cultivation in North region.

"The notification for these varieties could be out as early as next month after ICAR's scheduled meeting," vice chancellor, PAU, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillion said. He said that ICAR has asked the university to put up proposal regarding release of these varieties. 

The three Bt cotton varieties include PAU Bt 1, F1861 and RS 2013. 

PAU Bt 1 and F 1861 were developed by PAU, whereas, RS 2013 was developed at Rajasthan Agricultural University (RAU), Bikaner. While the PAU Bt 1was completely developed at Punjab Agricultural University, the F 1861 and RS 2013 varieties were converted to Bt version by Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur. 

Source: Economic Times