Biotech Updates

Experts: Biotech Crops are Compatible with Other Resistance Management Strategies

August 19, 2011

Various experts have expressed their views about the compatibility and advantage of biotech crops especially Bt crops with other resistance management strategies during the "Trainers Training Workshop on Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) in Vegetables" held last August 16, 2011 in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.

Dr. John Andaloro of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) International said that Bt crops are great for IRM because they essentially have a different mode of action and can be considered as a rotation partner. "From a resistance management point of view, it's actually very conducive because they wipe out (the resistant insects). If an insect which is resistant to the chemical pesticide such as diamide or pyrethroid feeds on a Bt crop, it gets killed. So it is a great part of integrated pest management and also insecticide resistance management," said Dr. Andaloro.

Entomology expert and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Dr. Luis Rey Velasco, in his keynote address asserted that "Bt corn contributes in IRM because its accompanying principles, high dose and refuge system, is a huge help in delaying the development of resistant insects."

Dr. Lourdes Taylo, study leader from UPLB in response to a query on how Bt eggplant can help in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) said that, "The foundation of a good IPM is a resistant variety. The use of Bt eggplant will complement the use of biological control as there will be accompanying reduction in frequency of insecticide spray applications."

IPM is a vital part of farming because its goal is to manage the insect pest damage with the rational integration of two or more tactics with least negative impact on beneficial non-target organisms. Various methods are employed for IPM including the use of biological control agents.

The training was part of a series of IRM workshops undertaken in major eggplant and cabbage production areas nationwide. The workshop at Los Baños was organized by CropLife Philippines, IRAC Int., and the Department of Agriculture Region 4 and was attended by municipal and provincial agriculture officers, local government and company agriculture extension workers, and farmers.

For more information about the workshop or biotechnology in the Philippines, visit http://www.bic.searca.org, or e-mail bic@agri.searca.org.