The Department of Justice on Thursday altered the landscape of the U.S. cottonseed industry by giving its blessing to Monsanto Co.’s $1.5 billion plan to buy Delta & Pine Land Co. Now the deal awaits approval by federal court. If it goes through, D&PL will end its reign as the last major cottonseed company not engaged in developing its own biotech traits. Biotech crop companies that don’t own cotton seeds will be forced to partner with a competitor.