Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of

UPSC Prelims 2021 Question: Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of

1. clonal propagation of crop plants
2. developing genetically modified crop plants
3. production of plant growth substances
4. production of biofertilizers

Answer: b) developing genetically modified crop plants

Explanation:

• Bollgard I Bt cotton (single-gene technology) is India’s first biotech crop technology approved for commercialization in India in 2002. It was followed by Bollgard II – double-gene technology in mid-2006 by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the Indian regulatory body for biotech crops.
• Bollgard cotton contains an insecticidal protein from a naturally occurring soil microorganism, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This is known as Bt-Cotton.
• Bollgard II technology contains a superior double-gene technology - Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab which provides protection against bollworms and caterpillars.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Recent Developments