Reclaiming Sustainability through Organic Cotton Seeds

Seray Ergene; Marta B. Calas

doi:10.5465/ambpp.2021.151

Bt cotton seed purity in Burkina Faso: status and lessons learnt

Journal of Cotton Research ◽

10.1186/s42397-020-00070-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Larbouga BOURGOU ◽

Ester KARGOUGOU ◽

Mahamadou SAWADOGO ◽

Michel FOK

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Seed Production ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Minor Role ◽

Bt Cotton ◽

Cotton Production ◽

Organic Cotton ◽

Production Scheme ◽

Cotton Seeds ◽

Varietal Purity

Abstract Background Since the commercial release of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso in 2009, the issue of seed purity in producers’ fields has rarely been addressed in an unbiased and objective manner. The potential for contamination of conventional seed varieties with Bt traits and the consequent threat to the continuation of organic cotton production has been documented. However, studies are rare on the varietal purity of Bt cotton seeds, despite the implications for the effectiveness and sustainability of their use. This paper compensates for the lack of research on the varietal purity of cotton seeds in Burkina Faso by reporting the results of Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay tests collected in 2015 on samples of both conventional and Bt varieties from 646 fields. Results According to the conservative criteria used to declare the presence of a Bt gene in a given variety (more than 10% of seeds of conventional variety exhibit Bt traits, and at least 90% of seeds of Bt variety exhibit Bt traits), seed purity was very questionable for both types of variety. For the supposedly conventional variety, the Cry1Ac gene was observed in 63.6% of samples, the Cry2Ab gene was observed in 59.3% of samples, and both genes were detected in 52.2% of the seed samples. Only 29.3% of the seeds that were supposed to be of conventional type contained no Bt genes. Conversely, for the labeled Bt variety, the Cry1Ac gene was found in only 59.6% of samples, the Cry2Ab gene was found in 53.6% of the samples, and both genes were found in 40.4% of the samples. Finally, for the seeds that were supposed to contain both genes (Bollguard 2), both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab genes were found in only 40.4% of the samples, only one of the genes was found in 32.4% of the samples, and 27.2% of the seeds in the samples contained neither. Two factors are responsible for the severe lack of seed purity. First, conventional varieties are being contaminated with Bt traits because of a failure to revise the seed production scheme in Burkina Faso to prevent cross-pollination. Second, the original Bt seeds provided to Burkina Faso lacked varietal purity. The organic sector plays a very minor role in the cotton sector of Burkina Faso (production of organic cotton totaled 453 t in 2018/2019, out of national cotton production of 183 000 t). Nevertheless, the lack of purity in conventional seed varieties is a threat to efforts to expand certified organic cotton production. The poor presence of Bt proteins in supposed Bt varieties undermines their effectiveness in controlling pests and increases the likelihood of the development of resistance among pest populations. Conclusion Our results show the extent of purity loss when inadequate attention is paid to the preservation of seed purity. Pure conventional seeds could vanish in Burkina Faso, while Bt seeds do not carry the combination of the expected Bt traits. Any country wishing to embark on the use of Bt cotton, or to resume its use, as in the case of Burkina Faso, must first adjust its national seed production scheme to ensure that procedures to preserve varietal purity are enforced. The preservation of varietal purity is necessary to enable the launch or the continuation of identity-cotton production. In addition, the preservation of varietal purity is necessary to ensure the sustainable effectiveness of Bt cotton. In order to ensure that procedures to preserve varietal purity are observed, seed purity must be tested regularly, and test results must be published.

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Bt cotton seed purity in Burkina Faso: Status and lessons learnt

10.21203/rs.3.rs-44703/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Larbouga Bourgou ◽

Ester Kargougou ◽

Mahamadou Sawadogo ◽

Michel Fok

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Seed Production ◽

Bt Cotton ◽

Cotton Production ◽

Organic Cotton ◽

Related Information ◽

Production Scheme ◽

Bt Genes ◽

Cotton Seeds ◽

Bt Gene

Abstract BackgroundSince the commercial release of Bt cotton the issue of seed purity in producers' fields has been little addressed and in an unbalanced way when it was. It is well documented that the loss of purity in conventional seeds has endangered the continuation of organic cotton production. However, studies are rare on the purity of Bt-cotton seeds despite its implications on the effectiveness and sustainability of their use.This paper compensates for the mentioned lack of literature by analyzing data collected in 2015 in Burkina Faso, namely results of ELISA tests on samples of seeds from 646 fields grown with conventional or Bt varieties. ResultsAccording to the conservative criteria retained to declare the presence of Bt gene (more than 10% and 90% of controlled seeds for conventional and Bt variety, respectively), seed purity was very questionable for both types of varieties. For the conventional variety, the presence of Bt gene was observed on 63.6 and 59.3% of samples for Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, respectively. Only 29.3% of samples corresponded to pure conventional seeds while 52.2% were double Bt seeds. Conversely, for the Bt variety, the presence of Bt gene was observed on 59.6 and 53.6% of samples for Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, respectively. Actually BG2 seeds with both Bt genes were found in 40.4% of samples against 27.2% of samples of actually conventional seeds while the remaining of 32.4% of samples corresponded to single Bt gene seeds.Two factors affected the severe lack of seed purity. As regard to conventional seeds, it clearly resulted from a phenomenon of contamination, indicative of a failure in adjusting the seed production scheme to the use of Bt-cotton. With regard to the Bt variety, the lack of purity of the original seeds provided to Burkina Faso accounted and should even be the major factor.The observed lack of seed purity is a threat to the initiative of organic cotton production, albeit a very minor production mode in the country. It also calls upon the effectiveness and furthermore the sustainability of Bt cotton to control target pests. ConclusionOur results show the extent of purity loss when no especial attention is paid to the preservation of seed purity. Pure conventional seeds could totally vanish while Bt seeds become a combination of seeds of various types encompassing or not the expected Bt genes.Any country willing to embark the use of Bt cotton, or to resume this use like Burkina Faso, must previously adjust its seed production scheme and enforce its operation. This is a condition to preserve pure seeds both to enable the launch or the continuation of identity-cotton production and to ensure a sustainable effectiveness of Bt-cotton. The mentioned condition implies that seed purity must be checked and the related information shared.

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Microbiolization of organic cotton seeds with Trichoderma sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Journal of Seed Science ◽

10.1590/2317-1545v42229182 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

José Manoel Ferreira de Lima Cruz ◽

Eliane Cecília de Medeiros ◽

Otília Ricardo de Farias ◽

Edcarlos Camilo da Silva ◽

Luciana Cordeiro do Nascimento

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Additional Treatment ◽

Biocontrol Agents ◽

Initial Growth ◽

Organic Cotton ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Trichoderma Sp ◽

Cotton Seeds ◽

And Control

Abstract: Seed microbiolization is an alternative to chemical pesticides for seed treatment in organic agriculture. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the initial growth and control of fungi associated with organic cotton seeds, through seed microbiolization with Trichoderma sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Certified cotton seeds (cultivar Aroeira), whose linter was removed with sulfuric acid, were analyzed in a completely randomized design in a 5 x 2 + 1 factorial scheme, corresponding to five concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0), two biocontrol agents (Trichoderma sp. and S. cerevisiae), and an additional treatment composed of a fungicide (Captan®). Seed health, germination, and emergence tests were conducted to confirm the hypotheses. The microbiolization of seeds is efficient in reducing both incidence and initial growth of fungi in organic cotton cv. Aroeira. The appraised biocontrol agents proved to be superior to the chemical treatment regarding the initial seedling growth. Trichoderma sp. is the most effective agent and provides a high initial seedling growth and a significant reduction in fungal incidence.

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Bt cotton seed purity in Burkina Faso: Status and lessons learnt

10.21203/rs.3.rs-44703/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Larbouga Bourgou ◽

Ester Kargougou ◽

Mahamadou Sawadogo ◽

Michel Fok

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Seed Production ◽

Minor Role ◽

Bt Cotton ◽

Cotton Production ◽

Cry1ac Gene ◽

Organic Cotton ◽

Production Scheme ◽

Cotton Seeds ◽

Varietal Purity

Abstract [Background] Since the commercial release of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso in 2009, the issue of seed purity in producers' fields has rarely been addressed in an unbiased and objective manner. The potential for contamination of conventional seed varieties with Bt traits, and the consequent threat to the continuation of organic cotton production has been documented. However, studies are rare on the varietal purity of Bt cotton seeds, despite the implications for the effectiveness and sustainability of their use. This paper compensates for the lack of research on the varietal purity of cotton seeds in Burkina Faso by reporting the results of ELISA tests collected in 2015 on samples of both conventional and Bt varieties from 646 fields. [Results] According to the conservative criteria used to declare the presence of a Bt gene in a given variety (more than 10% of seeds of conventional variety exhibit Bt traits, and at least 90% of seeds of Bt variety exhibit Bt traits) seed purity was very questionable for both types of variety. For the supposedly conventional variety, the Cry1Ac gene was observed in 63.6% of samples, the Cry2Ab gene was observed in 59.3% of samples, and both genes were detected in 52.2% of the seed samples. Only 29.3% of the seeds that were supposed to be conventional contained no Bt genes. Conversely, for the labeled Bt variety, the Cry1Ac gene was found in only 59.6% of samples, the Cry2Ab gene was found in 53.6% of the samples, and both genes were found in 40.4% of the samples. Finally, for the seeds that were supposed to contain both genes (Bollguard 2), both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab genes were found in only 40.4% of the samples, only one of the genes was found in 32.4% of the samples, and 27.2% of the seeds in the samples contained neither gene. Two factors are responsible for the severe lack of seed purity. First, conventional varieties are being contaminated with Bt traits because of a failure to revise the seed production scheme in Burkina Faso to prevent cross fertilization. Second, the original Bt seeds provided to Burkina Faso lacked varietal purity. The organic sector plays a very minor role in the cotton sector of Burkina Faso (production of organic cotton totaled 453 tonnes in 2018/19, out of national cotton production of 183,000 tonnes). Nevertheless, the lack of purity in conventional seed varieties is a threat to efforts to expand certified organic cotton production. The poor expression of Bt traits in supposedly Bt varieties undermines their effectiveness in controlling pests and increases the likelihood of the development of resistance among pest populations. [Conclusion] Our results show the extent of purity loss when inadequate attention is paid to the preservation of seed purity. Pure conventional seeds could totally vanish in Burkina Faso, while Bt seeds do not carry the combination of the expected Bt traits. Any country wishing to embark on the use of Bt cotton, or to resume its use, as in the case of Burkina Faso, must first adjust its national seed production scheme to ensure that procedures to preserve varietal purity are enforced. The preservation of varietal purity is necessary to enable the launch or the continuation of identity-cotton production. In addition, the preservation of varietal purity is necessary to ensure the sustainable effectiveness of Bt cotton. In order to ensure that procedures to preserve varietal purity are observed, seed purity must be tested regularly, and test results must be published.

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Bt cotton seed purity in Burkina Faso: Status and lessons learnt

10.21203/rs.3.rs-44703/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Larbouga Bourgou ◽

Ester Kargougou ◽

Mahamadou Sawadogo ◽

Michel Fok

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Seed Production ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Bt Cotton ◽

Cotton Production ◽

Cry1ac Gene ◽

Organic Cotton ◽

Production Scheme ◽

Cotton Seeds ◽

Varietal Purity

Abstract BackgroundSince the commercial release of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso in 2009, the issue of seed purity in producers' fields has rarely been addressed in an unbiased and objective manner. The potential for contamination of conventional seed varieties with Bt traits and the consequent threat to the continuation of organic cotton production has been documented. However, studies are rare on the varietal purity of Bt cotton seeds, despite the implications for the effectiveness and sustainability of their use.This paper compensates for the lack of research on the varietal purity of cotton seeds in Burkina Faso by reporting the results of Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay tests collected in 2015 on samples of both conventional and Bt varieties from 646 fields.ResultsAccording to the conservative criteria used to declare the presence of a Bt gene in a given variety (more than 10% of seeds of conventional variety exhibit Bt traits, and at least 90% of seeds of Bt variety exhibit Bt traits), seed purity was very questionable for both types of variety. For the supposedly conventional variety, the Cry1Ac gene was observed in 63.6% of samples, the Cry2Ab gene was observed in 59.3% of samples, and both genes were detected in 52.2% of the seed samples. Only 29.3% of the seeds that were supposed to be of conventional type contained no Bt genes. Conversely, for the labeled Bt variety, the Cry1Ac gene was found in only 59.6% of samples, the Cry2Ab gene was found in 53.6% of the samples, and both genes were found in 40.4% of the samples. Finally, for the seeds that were supposed to contain both genes (Bollguard 2), both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab genes were found in only 40.4% of the samples, only one of the genes was found in 32.4% of the samples, and 27.2% of the seeds in the samples contained neither.Two factors are responsible for the severe lack of seed purity. First, conventional varieties are being contaminated with Bt traits because of a failure to revise the seed production scheme in Burkina Faso to prevent cross-pollination. Second, the original Bt seeds provided to Burkina Faso lacked varietal purity.The organic sector plays a very minor role in the cotton sector of Burkina Faso (production of organic cotton totaled 453 tonnes in 2018/2019, out of national cotton production of 183 000 tonnes). Nevertheless, the lack of purity in conventional seed varieties is a threat to efforts to expand certified organic cotton production. The poor presence of Bt proteins in supposedly Bt varieties undermines their effectiveness in controlling pests and increases the likelihood of the development of resistance among pest populations.ConclusionOur results show the extent of purity loss when inadequate attention is paid to the preservation of seed purity. Pure conventional seeds could vanish in Burkina Faso, while Bt seeds do not carry the combination of the expected Bt traits. Any country wishing to embark on the use of Bt cotton, or to resume its use, as in the case of Burkina Faso, must first adjust its national seed production scheme to ensure that procedures to preserve varietal purity are enforced. The preservation of varietal purity is necessary to enable the launch or the continuation of identity-cotton production. In addition, the preservation of varietal purity is necessary to ensure the sustainable effectiveness of Bt cotton. In order to ensure that procedures to preserve varietal purity are observed, seed purity must be tested regularly, and test results must be published.

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Warm and freeze-fracture of cotton seed radicles

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100129206 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 984-985

Author(s):

E. L. Vigil ◽

E. F. Erbe

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Water Vapor ◽

Fracture Surface ◽

Membrane Structure ◽

Room Temperature ◽

Freeze Fracture ◽

Longitudinal Axis ◽

Fracture Plane ◽

Cotton Seeds ◽

Condensed Water

In cotton seeds the radicle has 12% moisture content which makes it possible to prepare freeze-fracture replicas without fixation or cryoprotection. For this study we have examined replicas of unfixed radicle tissue fractured at room temperature to obtain data on organelle and membrane structure.Excised radicles from seeds of cotton (Gossyplum hirsutum L. M-8) were fractured at room temperature along the longitudinal axis. The fracture was initiated by spliting the basal end of the excised radicle with a razor. This procedure produced a fracture through the tissue along an unknown fracture plane. The warm fractured radicle halves were placed on a thin film of 100% glycerol on a flat brass cap with fracture surface up. The cap was rapidly plunged into liquid nitrogen and transferred to a freeze- etch unit. The sample was etched for 3 min at -95°C to remove any condensed water vapor and then cooled to -150°C for platinum/carbon evaporation.

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Development of Advanced Textile Finishes Using Nano-Emulsions from Herbal Extracts for Organic Cotton Fabrics

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings11080939 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 939

Author(s):

Prabhuraj D. Venkatraman ◽

Usha Sayed ◽

Sneha Parte ◽

Swati Korgaonkar

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Coconut Oil ◽

Cotton Fabrics ◽

Batch Processes ◽

Herbal Extracts ◽

Organic Cotton ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Nano Emulsion ◽

Sufficient Strength

The development of textile finishing with improved functional properties has been a growing interest among industry and scientists worldwide. The recent global pandemic also enhanced the awareness amongst many toward improved hygiene and the use of antimicrobial textiles. Generally, natural herbal components are known to possess antimicrobial properties which are green and eco-friendly. This research reports a novel and innovative method of developing and optimising nano-emulsions using two combinations of herbal extracts produced from Moringa oleifera, curry leaf, coconut oil (nano-emulsion 1) and other using Aegle marmelos with curry leaf and coconut oil (nano-emulsion 2). Nano-emulsions were optimised for their pH, thermal stability, and particle size, and percentage add-on. Organic cotton fabrics (20 and 60 gsm) were finished with nano-emulsions using continuous and batch processes and characterised for their surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The finished fabrics were evaluated for their Whiteness Index, assessed for antimicrobial resistance against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) using AATCC 100 and 147 methods. In addition, fabrics were assessed for their antifungal efficacy (AATCC 30), tensile strength and air permeability. Results suggested that finished organic fabrics with nano-emulsions had antimicrobial resistance, antifungal, wash fastness after 20 washing cycles, and sufficient strength. This novel finishing method suggests that organic cotton fabrics treated with nano-emulsions can be used as a durable antimicrobial textile for healthcare and hygiene textiles.

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