GM crops are designed to develop natural resistance from insects and pests. Which of the following crops are modified using Bacillus thuringiensis?

All of the above

a-Corn and cotton

b-Tomato and rice

c-Patato and soybean

d-All of the above is the correct option

Biotechnology has revolutionized agriculture by providing innovative solutions to address various challenges. One of the remarkable applications of biotechnology in agriculture is the production of pest-resistant plants using the Bt toxin gene.

The Bt toxin gene is derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which naturally produces a protein toxic to certain insect pests. Scientists have cloned this gene and inserted it into the DNA of various crop plants, creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with built-in pest resistance.

When pests, such as specific insects or larvae, feed on these Bt crops, they ingest the Bt toxin. The toxin targets the digestive system of the pests, causing their gut cells to break down and leading to their death. Since the toxin is specific to certain pests and harmless to humans, animals, and beneficial insects, it serves as a bio-pesticide, effectively reducing the need for chemical insecticides.

Some of the widely cultivated Bt crops include:

1. Bt Cotton: Genetically modified cotton that produces the Bt toxin, protecting it from cotton bollworm and other destructive pests.
2. Bt Corn: Corn plants engineered with the Bt toxin gene, providing resistance against corn borers and corn rootworms.
3. Bt Rice: Rice varieties modified with the Bt gene to deter pests like rice stem borers.
4. Bt Tomato: Genetically modified tomatoes with the Bt toxin gene to combat specific insect pests attacking tomato crops.
5. Bt Potato: Potatoes engineered to produce the Bt toxin, providing protection against certain potato pests.
6. Bt Soybean: Soybeans modified with the Bt gene to defend against insects like the soybean looper.

By introducing pest resistance directly into the plants' genetic makeup, Bt crops significantly reduce crop losses due to pests. This technology not only enhances agricultural productivity but also minimizes the use of chemical pesticides, benefiting the environment, farmworkers, and consumers.