Bt Maize Could Boost Yields and Reduce Pesticide Use in Mexico

A team of Mexican researchers and crop advisers studied the main pests causing reduction in maize production and the main methods used to combat the pests from 2010-2013.

The researchers found the diversity of growing conditions to be the greatest problem in the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) programs for Mexico's 2 million maize growers. They also pointed out that another obstacle is the lack of insect resistant Bt maize varieties which are grown in 90 percent of maize fields in the U.S. and produce yields three times larger than Mexican yields.

"According to our estimates, 3,000 tons of organophosphate active ingredient is sold in Mexico each year to control only fall armyworm, only on corn," said Professor Urbano Nava-Camberos of the Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, and one of the authors of the study. "In addition, applications are also made to cutworms, corn rootworms, borers, and corn earworms that do not necessarily coincide with the fall armyworm applications. However, all of these insect pests can be effectively controlled with Bt corn and integrated pest management programs."

The study is published in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management. Read the original article at http://entomologytoday.org/2014/11/17/insect-resistant-maize-could-increase-yields-and-decrease-pesticide-use-in-mexico/.