The Role of Transgenic Crops in Reducing Agricultural Chemical Dependency: A Review
Battala Sheshagiri
*
Department of Agricultural Economics, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences. Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Manish Kumar Maurya
Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture Campus, Colonelganj, Gonda 271502 (UP), Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India.
B. Sukrutha
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Annamacharya University, Rajampet, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Pankaj Gautam
Department of Botany, Chaudhary Mahadev Prasad P.G. College, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Telukutla Sravan Srikanth
Agricultural College, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Bapatla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Khanin Pathak
Biochemistry, SCS college of Agriculture, Dhubri, Assam Agricultural University, India.
Richa Dubey
AgriBusiness Incubation Center, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Agriculture has long relied on chemical inputs such as pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers to maintain crop productivity, often leading to environmental degradation and health concerns. This review aims to evaluate the potential of transgenic crops to reduce dependence on such inputs while supporting sustainable agriculture. Transgenic plants, developed through genetic engineering, incorporate desirable traits such as insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, and disease resistance, enabling crops to better withstand biotic stresses. Evidence from multiple studies indicates that insect-resistant crops, particularly Bt cotton and Bt maize, have contributed to notable reductions in insecticide use and improved crop yields in several regions. In some cases, these crops have also enhanced ecological balance by supporting beneficial organisms. However, the widespread adoption of herbicide-tolerant crops has raised concerns regarding increased herbicide application and the emergence of resistant weed species. This review synthesizes findings from existing literature to examine the extent to which transgenic crops reduce chemical inputs, their environmental and socio-economic impacts, and their role in modern agricultural systems. It also highlights key challenges, including resistance development, regulatory issues, and public acceptance. Overall, transgenic crops present a promising approach to minimizing chemical dependency, but their long-term sustainability depends on responsible management practices and integrated agricultural strategies.
Keywords: Transgenic crops, genetically modified crops, Bt crops, pesticide reduction, agricultural sustainability, biotechnology in agriculture, herbicide tolerance