Scientists Call for Increase in Refuge Percentage
June 22, 2012| |
Bt crops have been proven to be effective in controlling pests as long as the pests do not evolve resistance to the toxin produced by the crop. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required the use of refuge, or host plants that do not produce Bt toxin, to delay the pests' evolution of resistance. The EPA requires minimum refuges of 20% for Cry3Bb1 corn and 5% for corn producing two Bt toxins active against corn rootworms.
Scientists Bruce Tabashnik and Fred Gould from North Carolina State University suggested through an article that the refuge requirement be increased because Bt corn hybrids active against corn rootworms do not meet the high-dose standard, and western corn rootworm has rapidly evolved resistance to Cry3Bb1 corn in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field. Thus, they recommend that the minimum refuge for Bt corn targeting rootworms should be increased to 50% for plants producing one Bt toxin and 20% for plants producing two Bt toxins. They said that this increase in refuge percentage would help delay resistance, promote integrated pest management and sustainable crop protection.
Read the abstract at http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/EC12080.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- CGIAR Issues Call to Action for Global Leaders Attending Rio+20 Meet
- Two Events in Rio+20 Discuss Sustaining Agriculture Amid Various Threats
- FAO, IFAD, WFP, Bioversity Cite Food Security as Key Player in Sustainable Development
- Revised Multi-Crop Passport Descriptors Now Out
- Scientists Discuss Importance of Agri-biotech
- Rwanda Releases Iron-rich Beans
- Juma: Biotech has the Potential for Success in Kenya Just Like Mobile Phone
- Kyetere: Improved Seeds and Technology Needed for Smallholder Farmers
- A Roundtable on Opportunities In Science, Technology And Innovation In Egypt
- Biosafety of GMO Workshop in Egypt
- Breeding Options for Adaptation of Pearl Millet and Sorghum to Climate Variability in West Africa
- Scientists Call for Increase in Refuge Percentage
- Improved Potato Varieties Ensure Food Security in Peruvian Communities
- U of S, Kenyan and Ethiopian Partnership to Combat Hunger
- USDA Secretary Vilsack Challenges Seed Industry
- Launch of the New NEXGROW Alfalfa
- The Importance of Addressing Stacked Traits Issues in Agbiotech Dev't Projects
- Castor Bean As New Biodiesel Crop
- Investments Aim to Crack Wheat's "Tough Nuts"
- Evogene and Rasi Seeds to Develop Better Rice
- GM Oilseed to Produce More Healthful Oil
- New Website to Support Wheat Research
- Germany Sends Mixed Messages on Agricultural Biotechnology
- 10 Years Integrated Research Delivers for Improved and Safer Food Chain in the EU
-
Research Highlights
- Bt Cotton Adoption Promotes Biocontrol Services
- Field Performance of GM Egyptian Cotton Varieties Expressing Bt Toxins Against Bollworms
- Effects of Pathogenic Roundworms on Evolution of Pink Bollworm Resistance to Cry1Ac
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- EFSA's Public Consultation on Draft Guidance on ERA of GM Animals
-
Resources
- Proceedings of International Workshop for Islamic Scholars on Agri-biotechnology
- Meeting the Challenges of Global Climate Change and Food Security through Innovative Maize Research
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet