Date:19/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/19/stories/2006071910860400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

New cotton disease reported

Special Correspondent

Inquiry by scientists of NG Ranga varsity sought

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Coalition in Defence of Diversity (APCDD) has urged the Government to order a scientific inquiry into a "new disease" which appears to be spreading in Bt. cotton plants in Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts.

In a press release here on Tuesday, convener of the APCDD P. V. Satheesh said a senior scientist, who had toured Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts, reported a "peculiar symptom of middle order leaves exhibiting necrotic spots" on Bt. cotton plants. This disease had never appeared on cotton beforeand Mr. Satheesh feared it might prove to be fatal to Bt. cotton plants. He recalled that last year Bt. cotton plants had contracted tobacco streak virus, with reports confirming that soils on which Bt. cotton was grown showed symptoms of toxicity. Later reports that 1,500 sheep grazing on Bt cotton had died "sent a chill down the spine of plant toxicologists."