Effectiveness and chemical pest control of Bt-cotton in the Yangtze River Valley, China

The paper determines what might be the factors beneath the limited or reduced effectiveness being observed in China. The analysis is based on the data collected for several years from many locations in the Yangtze River Valley Varietal Experiment Network. All varieties declared to be Bt-cotton were confirmed to have the Bt-gene, the expression of which was assessed in three ways: through the analysis of Bt-protein production and through indoor and outdoor bioassays. Gene expression varied substantially between varieties and between years for the few varieties which were tested in two subsequent years. The Bt-cotton varieties being sown cannot control bollworms totally and this led to spray chemicals regardless of the real infestation level. Farmers are hence paying high prices for varieties which are not totally resistant to bollworms and pest control costs are not reduced to the extent that they might expect, lowering the profitability of cotton production.