Biotech Updates

Trends in Pesticide Use in Transgenic Crops

August 15, 2008

The International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) published the results of its five year project on the development of an inventory of pesticide use in transgenic crops to estimate changes in the environmental impacts of pest management. The report was conducted in view of the many years and increasing adoption of biotech crops since 1996. Date were obtained and generated by various institutions including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy (NCFAP).

The report revealed that the rapid adoption of herbicide-tolerant soybeans in the USA was accompanied with the reduction in herbicide active ingredient use and application, a reduction in the kind of herbicide applied, and an increased trend towards using low-rate herbicides.  The Environmental Impact Quotient of this reduction in herbicide use and application gave a positive impact to the environment. The increasing adoption of other herbicide tolerant crops will also decrease the predicted environmental impact for weed management in the crop. 

For more details, read the report at: http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2008/aug08.pdf