Daily Current Affairs : 26-October-2023

The cotton fields of North India are facing a severe threat from pink bollworm (PBW) attacks. This tiny yet destructive pest poses a significant challenge to the region’s cotton farmers. Understanding the menace of pink bollworm is crucial to finding effective solutions to safeguard the cotton crop.

About Pink Bollworm
  • Scientific Name: Pectinophora gossypiella
  • Lifecycle and Habitat
    • Adult PBWs are thin grey moths that lay eggs on cotton buds, flowers, and bolls.
    • Upon hatching, the larvae burrow into the bolls, feeding on the developing seeds.
    • This feeding process damages the lint and stains it, leading to a loss in cotton quality.
  • Destructive Impact
    • Pink bollworm is considered one of the most destructive pests for cotton globally.
    • It attacks critical parts of the cotton plant, including the square (flower bud) and the boll (seed sac with cotton fibers).
  • Spread and Origin
    • Indigenous to Asia, pink bollworm has now spread to nearly all cotton-growing countries worldwide.
Challenges Faced by Indian Cotton Farmers
  • Introduction of Bt Cotton
    • The Indian government introduced Bt Cotton (Bollgard II seed), a genetically modified pest-resistant variety, to combat pests like the American bollworm, pink bollworm, and spotted bollworm.
  • Development of Resistance
    • Over time, pink bollworm has developed resistance to Bt cotton, rendering this once-effective solution less potent.
    • Farmers find themselves grappling with this challenge as their crops are left vulnerable to these resilient pests.
Implications for North Indian Cotton Agriculture

The infestation of pink bollworms poses severe implications for North Indian cotton agriculture:

  • Economic Losses
    • Crop damage leads to economic losses for farmers who rely on cotton cultivation for their livelihoods.
  • Quality Degradation
    • The quality of cotton fibers is compromised, affecting textile industries that depend on high-quality raw materials.
  • Environmental Impact
    • Increased pesticide use to control pink bollworms raises environmental concerns, affecting the ecosystem and non-target organisms.

Important Points:

  • Pink Bollworm Threat in North India:
    • Cotton fields in North India are under severe threat from pink bollworm (PBW) attacks.
  • Pink Bollworm Characteristics:
    • Scientific Name: Pectinophora gossypiella
    • PBW is a destructive pest that attacks cotton buds, flowers, and bolls.
    • Larvae burrow into bolls, damaging lint and reducing cotton quality.
    • It’s one of the most destructive cotton pests globally.
  • Introduction of Bt Cotton:
    • Indian government introduced Bt Cotton (Bollgard II seed) as a genetically modified pest-resistant variety.
    • Bt Cotton aimed to combat pests like American bollworm, pink bollworm, and spotted bollworm.
  • Development of Resistance:
    • Pink bollworm developed resistance to Bt cotton over time.
    • This resistance reduced the effectiveness of Bt Cotton against pink bollworm attacks.
  • Implications for North Indian Cotton Agriculture:
    • Economic Losses:
      • Crop damage leads to significant economic losses for cotton farmers.
    • Quality Degradation:
      • Quality of cotton fibers is compromised due to pink bollworm damage, affecting textile industries.
    • Environmental Impact:
      • Increased pesticide use to control pink bollworms raises environmental concerns.
  • Need for Solutions:
    • Collaboration among farmers, scientists, and policymakers is crucial.
    • Innovative solutions and sustainable agricultural practices are necessary to combat pink bollworm.
    • Vigilance and adaptive strategies are essential to secure the future of cotton farming in North India.
Why In News

The cotton crop in North India is under the threat of pink bollworm (PBW) attacks, posing a significant challenge to farmers and agricultural experts striving to find effective solutions to mitigate the damage and ensure a stable cotton yield for the region.

MCQs about Pink Bollworm Challenge

  1. What did the Indian government introduce to combat pests like pink bollworm in cotton fields?
    A. Organic farming practices
    B. Genetically modified Bt Cotton (Bollgard II seed)
    C. Chemical insecticides
    D. Traditional cotton varieties
    Correct Answer: B. Genetically modified Bt Cotton (Bollgard II seed)
    Explanation: The Indian government introduced genetically modified Bt Cotton (Bollgard II seed) to combat pests like pink bollworm in cotton fields.
  2. What part of the cotton plant does the pink bollworm attack, leading to a loss in cotton quality?
    A. Leaves
    B. Roots
    C. Flowers and Bolls
    D. Stems
    Correct Answer: C. Flowers and Bolls
    Explanation: Pink bollworm attacks critical parts of the cotton plant, including the flowers (square) and the bolls (seed sac with cotton fibers), leading to a loss in cotton quality.
  3. What are the implications of pink bollworm infestation for North Indian cotton agriculture?
    A. Increased crop yield
    B. Improved cotton fiber quality
    C. Economic losses and quality degradation
    D. Environmental benefits
    Correct Answer: C. Economic losses and quality degradation
    Explanation: Pink bollworm infestation leads to economic losses for farmers due to crop damage and compromises the quality of cotton fibers, impacting North Indian cotton agriculture.

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