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Abstract
The genetically modified INGARD™ cotton seed was released in Australia in 1996 and
was greeted with high expectations and enthusiasm within the cotton industry.
INGARD™ cotton seed contains the Cry1A(c) gene from the soil bacteria Bacillus
thuringiensis var kurstaki for the biological control of Helicoverpa armigera and H.
punctigera moth larvae in cotton. These are the most serious insect pests of cotton and
account for the majority of insecticides applied to cotton in Australia. Significant
environmental and economic benefits were claimed by the manufacturer (Monsanto) at
the time of release through the reduction in pesticide use and from a less complex
production management system.
Grower attitudes and perceptions relating to INGARD™ were followed over two
seasons through grower surveys. Partial budgeting of individual growers’ insecticide
costs, yields and returns for paired varietal (same cotton variety with and without
genetic manipulation, that is conventional and INGARDTMcotton) comparisons was
done to evaluate the economic returns to each grower of the alternative technologies.
These results were then compared to growers’ perceptions of the value of the
INGARD™ technology package relative to the conventional Helicoverpa control
technology. The economic analysis of INGARD™ versus conventional cotton supports
the growers’ perceptions of a high price of INGARD™ and their desire for a lower
license fee based on the 1997/98 season.