Question

What is GM crop? Name anyone crop which is grown in India.

Answer 1

Genetically modified crops are those crops whose genetic identity is altered and redefined using genetic engineering techniques. The gene produced by these plants inherits the new DNA. Genetically modified crop plants include Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, Bt corn, mustard eyc.

Complete answer:
Genetically modified crops are the crops in which a foreign gene is introduced using advanced genetic engineering techniques which alters the natural genome of the crops. The gene which is introduced in this process is not naturally seen in these crops and is called a transgene. The foreign genes come from either bacteria, viruses, insects. The modification is done for the betterment of several factors related to crop like the yield, their resistance towards various kinds of stresses, their resistance towards different types of diseases etc.
There is either the introduction of new genes or alteration of the gene or excluding the gene itself for the development of new organisms. Genetic engineering includes techniques like cloning, artificial insemination or gene manipulation etc.
Cotton and mustard are the genetically modified crops grown in India.
With the help of Bt gene the cotton plant is genetically modified to protect the plants from bollworm which is a major pest of cotton. Bt cotton is a transgenic crop that is an insect resistant designed to combat the bollworm. It was created by genetically altering the cotton genome to express a microbial protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The genetically modified gene that is injected into the plant's genome produces toxin crystals that the plant would not normally produce at all. When this is ingested by a certain population of organisms. It starts dissolving within the gut lining leading to the organism’s death. The toxins which are produced by the crops are ingested by the pests which results in their death. In 2002 it was co -developed by India’s Maharashtra Hybrid Seed company and Monsanto. The gene provides protection for GMO against budworm, bollworm, beetle, borer etc. The production of this plant has also limited the use of insecticides to protect against pests.

Note: In Bt cotton Bt toxin is used as an biological insecticide. The Bacillus thuringiensis is a soil bacteria which produce a protein toxin that kills certain insects. The toxin is a crystal cry toxin. The proteins encoded by the cry gene are cry I Ac and cry II Ab controls bollworm.