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Q77 (IAS/2021) Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Health › Genetically modified crops Official Key

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

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2: developing genetically modified crop plants.

Bollgard I and Bollgard II are trademarked technologies used in the development of Bt Cotton, a genetically modified (GM) crop. These technologies involve the insertion of specific genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into the cotton genome:

  • Bollgard I: Contains the Cry1Ac gene, providing resistance primarily against the American Bollworm.
  • Bollgard II: An advanced version containing two genes (Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab), offering broader and more effective protection against a variety of pests like the Pink Bollworm and Spodoptera.

These technologies are specifically designed for pest resistance through genetic engineering, making Option 2 correct. Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect as they refer to vegetative reproduction, hormonal regulators, and microbial fertilizers, respectively, which are unrelated to the transgenic nature of Bollgard technology.

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Q. Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of [A] clonal propagation of crop plants [B] developing geneticall…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 10/10
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This is a 'Sitter' for any serious aspirant. Bollgard (Bt Cotton) is the only commercially approved GM crop in India, making it a cornerstone fact in both Economy (Agriculture) and Science & Technology. If you missed this, your coverage of 'Major Crops of India' is critically incomplete.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Are Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies used in clonal propagation of crop plants?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"II in 2002/03 mainly for seed in-crease. During 2003/04, Bollgard II will be planted on about 50,000 hectares while the area under Bollgard will go down accordingly."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly refers to Bollgard II being used for 'seed increase' and being 'planted' on tens of thousands of hectares, indicating seed-based field propagation rather than clonal/vegetative propagation.
  • Describes large-scale planting acreage, which is consistent with seed-propagated crop varieties rather than clonal propagation.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Assuming that there was absolutely no pest at-tack and the three types of varieties, non-Bt, Bollgard and Bollgard II, were grown under similar agronomic conditions, there would be no difference in yield."
Why this source?
  • Treats Bollgard and Bollgard II as 'varieties' grown under agronomic conditions alongside non-Bt varieties, implying conventional field/seed cultivation.
  • Comparison of yields among 'non-Bt, Bollgard and Bollgard II varieties' indicates they are seed-propagated cultivars rather than clonally propagated material.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Bollgard II varieties left untreated for lepidopteran pests averaged 103 kg/ha lint more than Bollgard varieties left untreated for lepidopterans."
Why this source?
  • Reports field trial results for Bollgard II, Bollgard and conventional genotypes 'under unsprayed conditions', showing typical field/seed propagation trials.
  • Discusses per-hectare lint yields and larvae per meter of row, further indicating these are field-grown varieties rather than clonally propagated plants.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.8 Genetically Modified (GM) Crops > p. 343
Strength: 5/5
“Government regulation regarding BT cotton seed pricing: In India, Monsanto Mahyco Biotech (India) Ltd. (a joint venture between Mahyco Seeds Ltd and Monsanto), licensed its patented Bollgard II cotton seed technology to 50 seed companies in exchange for a royalty fee. More than 90% of the cotton grown in India used this technology. In March 2016, the government cut the price of genetically modified Bollgard II cotton seeds to Rs.800 per 450g packet from Rs.830 - Rs.1000 earlier and slashed royalty (trait) fees by 74% from Rs. 163 to Rs. 43 to bring uniformity in pricing of Bt cotton seeds across the country.”
Why relevant

Describes Bollgard II as a licensed cotton seed technology sold in seed packets with regulated pricing and royalties.

How to extend

A student could infer that Bollgard II is deployed via seed distribution (sexual reproduction), which is different from clonal/vegetative propagation methods and so check whether Bollgard traits are present in vegetatively propagated crops.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.8 Genetically Modified (GM) Crops > p. 342
Strength: 4/5
“GM crops are plants whose DNA (a molecule that encodes the Genetic Information) has been modified using Genetic Engineering. The following are some benefits of GM crops: • More nutritional value• Resistance to bacteria, virus and other components that can damage the plant• Longer shelf life• Less costly GM foods and higher yields The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body for regulating GM crops, in the Ministry of Environment and Forest under the Environment Protections Act 1986. At present, the government allows commercial production of only one GM crop which is BT cotton and is allowed since 2002.”
Why relevant

States that the only commercially allowed GM crop is Bt cotton and treats GM crops as modified plants used in agriculture.

How to extend

Use this to investigate whether the Bt (Bollgard) trait is primarily associated with seed-propagated cotton versus being introduced into clones of vegetatively propagated crops.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
Strength: 4/5
“There are many plants in which parts like the root, stem and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate conditions. Unlike in most animals, plants can indeed use such a mode for reproduction. This property of vegetative propagation is used in methods such as layering or grafting to grow many plants like sugarcane, roses, or grapes for agricultural purposes. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Such methods also make possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Another advantage of vegetative propagation is that all plants produced are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics.”
Why relevant

Explains vegetative (asexual) propagation produces plants genetically similar to the parent and lists crops commonly propagated this way (banana, rose, grapes).

How to extend

A student could check whether crops typically clonally propagated (e.g., banana) are the target crops for Bollgard technologies or whether Bollgard is used mainly in seed-propagated cotton.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > What you have learnt > p. 126
Strength: 3/5
“They can also give out buds which mature into new individuals.• n Roots, stems and leaves of some plants develop into new plants through vegetative propagation.• n These are examples of asexual reproduction where new generations are created from a single individual.• n Sexual reproduction involves two individuals for the creation of a new individual.• n DNA copying mechanisms creates variations which are useful for ensuring the survival of the species. Modes of sexual reproduction allow for greater variation to be generated.• n Reproduction in flowering plants involves transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma which is referred to as pollination.”
Why relevant

Summarises that roots, stems and leaves can develop into new plants by vegetative propagation — an asexual method distinct from seed-based propagation.

How to extend

Combine this with the seed-focused description of Bollgard (evidence 1) to assess whether Bollgard traits would be introduced via clonal propagation or via seed breeding.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Sisal (Agave sisalana) > p. 53
Strength: 3/5
“Top soil should be disturbed as little as possible and infertile sub-soil should not be exposed. Ploughing to a depth of 15-20 cm is adequate. Sisal plants rarely set seeds. Propagation of sisal is done by bulbils and suckers which are asexual source of propagation. Te sisal plant produces nearly 500-2000 bulbils. Bulbils are collected from mid-February to mid-April. Te process of extracting the fbre from leaf tissues of sisal is called decortications. Extracting of fbre is preferably done on the same day or within 48 hours from the time of harvesting. Decorticated fbre is washed in clean water and dried in the sun for removing moisture.”
Why relevant

Gives an example of a crop (sisal) that 'rarely set seeds' and is propagated asexually (bulbils, suckers), illustrating practical cases where clonal propagation is used.

How to extend

A student could use this to ask whether Bollgard-like GM traits have been developed for such asexually propagated crops or are primarily in seed-propagated cotton.

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