Background Transgenic cotton producing toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)is used globally to manage insect pests,including the pink bollworm,Pectinophora gossypiella,one of the most damaging ...Background Transgenic cotton producing toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)is used globally to manage insect pests,including the pink bollworm,Pectinophora gossypiella,one of the most damaging pests of cotton.The use of Bt cotton,which produces either a single Bt Cry toxin(Cry1Ac)or two Cry toxins(Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab),has sustained susceptibility and successfully managed pink bollworm in both China and the United States.In contrast,pink bollworms in India have evolved practical resistance to Bt cotton producing Cry1Ac or Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab.Recent studies suggest that pink bollworm may have similarly evolved resistance to transgenic Bt cotton in neighboring Pakistan.Results Field trials of non-Bt cotton,four Cry1Ac Bt cotton varieties,and six Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab Bt cotton were assessed for pink bollworm infestation and damage in Pakistan in 2020 and 2021.High levels of infestation in flowers and bolls,as well as cotton seed yield loss were observed in all the tested cultivars.Only one Bt cultivar producing Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab(MNH-1045)showed a significant reduction in pink bollworm infestation and protection from seed damage,although it was not entirely resistant to pink bollworm attacks.Conclusion Cotton plants were determined to produce both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins,albeit at relatively low levels,indicating that pink bollworm populations in Pakistan may not encounter effective toxin concentrations and/or may be exhibiting field-evolved resistance to these toxins.Immediate action is needed to manage this important pest of cotton.展开更多
In the past three decades,China’s rise has evoked diverging interpretations of how its ascent as a global superpower is impacting or could impact relations with the Gulf and Middle East.Issues of security and energy ...In the past three decades,China’s rise has evoked diverging interpretations of how its ascent as a global superpower is impacting or could impact relations with the Gulf and Middle East.Issues of security and energy have become pivotal as China embarks on its ambitious“One Belt and One Road(OBOR)”policy.China has opted to craft a proactive and robust cultural,economic and military policy towards the region.China is pursuing this within the framework of neoliberalism and in subtle ways re-shaping it.In this broad regional context,this article focuses on how the Gulf States,Pakistan,Iran in particular,and India in general,are adapting to China’s rise.Do they perceive China as an“imperialist power”with“hegemonic designs”?Is it fear,rivalry,and conflict that China’s rise is evoking among Iran,Pakistan and India?Or is it the prospects of new economic,military and cultural ties that could enhance opportunities for peace,cooperation and development that are changing the geopolitical dynamics of Iran,Pakistan and India?This article will explore some of these questions and themes.展开更多
基金Funding was provided by Punjab Agriculture Research Board(PARB),Project#888.
文摘Background Transgenic cotton producing toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)is used globally to manage insect pests,including the pink bollworm,Pectinophora gossypiella,one of the most damaging pests of cotton.The use of Bt cotton,which produces either a single Bt Cry toxin(Cry1Ac)or two Cry toxins(Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab),has sustained susceptibility and successfully managed pink bollworm in both China and the United States.In contrast,pink bollworms in India have evolved practical resistance to Bt cotton producing Cry1Ac or Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab.Recent studies suggest that pink bollworm may have similarly evolved resistance to transgenic Bt cotton in neighboring Pakistan.Results Field trials of non-Bt cotton,four Cry1Ac Bt cotton varieties,and six Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab Bt cotton were assessed for pink bollworm infestation and damage in Pakistan in 2020 and 2021.High levels of infestation in flowers and bolls,as well as cotton seed yield loss were observed in all the tested cultivars.Only one Bt cultivar producing Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab(MNH-1045)showed a significant reduction in pink bollworm infestation and protection from seed damage,although it was not entirely resistant to pink bollworm attacks.Conclusion Cotton plants were determined to produce both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins,albeit at relatively low levels,indicating that pink bollworm populations in Pakistan may not encounter effective toxin concentrations and/or may be exhibiting field-evolved resistance to these toxins.Immediate action is needed to manage this important pest of cotton.
文摘In the past three decades,China’s rise has evoked diverging interpretations of how its ascent as a global superpower is impacting or could impact relations with the Gulf and Middle East.Issues of security and energy have become pivotal as China embarks on its ambitious“One Belt and One Road(OBOR)”policy.China has opted to craft a proactive and robust cultural,economic and military policy towards the region.China is pursuing this within the framework of neoliberalism and in subtle ways re-shaping it.In this broad regional context,this article focuses on how the Gulf States,Pakistan,Iran in particular,and India in general,are adapting to China’s rise.Do they perceive China as an“imperialist power”with“hegemonic designs”?Is it fear,rivalry,and conflict that China’s rise is evoking among Iran,Pakistan and India?Or is it the prospects of new economic,military and cultural ties that could enhance opportunities for peace,cooperation and development that are changing the geopolitical dynamics of Iran,Pakistan and India?This article will explore some of these questions and themes.
