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Article
Seeds of Change: Corn Seed Mixtures for Resistance Management and Integrated Pest Management
Journal of Economic Entomology
  • David W. Onstad, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Paul D. Mitchell, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • Terrance M. Hurley, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Jonathan G. Lundgren, United States Department of Agriculture
  • R. Patrick Porter, Texas AgriLife Extension
  • Christian H. Krupke, Purdue University
  • Joseph L. Spencer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Christine D. Difonzo, Michigan State University
  • Tracey S. Baute, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs
  • Richard L. Hellmich, Iowa State University
  • Lawrent L. Buschman, Kansas State University
  • William D. Hutchison, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • John F. Tooker, Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2011
DOI
10.1603/EC10388
Abstract

The use of mixtures of transgenic insecticidal seed and nontransgenic seed to provide an in-field refuge for susceptible insects in insect-resistance-management (IRM) plans has been considered for at least two decades. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has only recently authorized the practice. This commentary explores issues that regulators, industry, and other stakeholders should consider as the use of biotechnology increases and seed mixtures are implemented as a major tactic for IRM. We discuss how block refuges and seed mixtures in transgenic insecticidal corn, Zea mays L., production will influence integrated pest management (IPM) and the evolution of pest resistance. We conclude that seed mixtures will make pest monitoring more difficult and that seed mixtures may make IRM riskier because of larval behavior and greater adoption of insecticidal corn. Conversely, block refuges present a different suite of risks because of adult pest behavior and the lower compliance with IRM rules expected from farmers. It is likely that secondary pests not targeted by the insecticidal corn as well as natural enemies will respond differently to block refuges and seed mixtures.

Comments

This article is from Journal of Economic Entomology; 104 (2011); 343-352; doi: 10.1603/EC10388

Rights
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
David W. Onstad, Paul D. Mitchell, Terrance M. Hurley, Jonathan G. Lundgren, et al.. "Seeds of Change: Corn Seed Mixtures for Resistance Management and Integrated Pest Management" Journal of Economic Entomology Vol. 104 Iss. 2 (2011) p. 343 - 352
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/richard_hellmich/50/