The results of the tests, conducted by the Agriculture Department, showed that Bollgard seeds yielded a 100 per cent germination, thus disproving apprehensions among a section of farmers whose violent demonstration had forced the government to ban field trials early this month.

This is the first test conducted by any government agency in the country to ascertain whether terminator gene technology was used by the multinational seed company, official sources told PTI here. Had the terminator technology been used, the Bollgard seeds would have become sterile, sources said.

Monsanto, along with its Indian arm Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (MAHYCO), has been in the eye of a storm for allegedly testing terminator technology under the garb of Bollgard-resistant cotton seeds at 40 field trial centres across the countryincluding 11 in Andhra Pradesh.

The Government had banned trials on December 2 after farmers, taking cue from their Karnataka counterparts, burnt down Bollgard crop in Warangal district and threatened to raid trial centres if the tests were not stopped.