How do pest resistant plants work?

Pest resistant plants work by having natural traits that stop pests from eating them, like thick leaves or special chemicals.

Some plants develop:

• Thick leaves that pests cannot chew easily.
• Hairy surfaces that stop insects from sitting on leaves.
• Chemicals that taste bitter or poisonous to pests.

For example, cotton plants with Bt gene produce proteins that kill insects. This protects crops without extra pesticides.