Monsanto Tests Anti-Bug Cotton Plant in Hawaii
Cotton genetically engineered to resist destructive insects has been planted in a test plot on the island of Kauai by Monsanto Co. of St. Louis and Northrup King Co., Monsanto announced.
The planting is for seed production only and is part of a research program designed to aid cotton growers in fighting the cotton bollworm, tobacco budworm, pink bollworm and beet army worm.
“This insect-resistant technology will dramatically aid growers in more effective control of problem insects” and reduce the amount of insecticide presently needed to control such worms, said Randy Deaton, Monsanto senior research specialist.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service estimates that cotton growers spray their crops for cotton bollworms and tobacco budworms on an average of three to five times yearly, at a cost of $7.50 an acre each time.
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