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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #160750
Title: CONSIDERING THE IMPORTANCE OF INSECT RESISTANCE IN CORN EARS IN RELATION TO THE CONTRIBUTION OF INSECTS TO THE MYCOTOXIN PROBLEM

Author
item Dowd, Patrick

Submitted to: Illinois Corn Breeders School Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/2/2004
Publication Date: 3/2/2004
Citation: DOWD, P.F. CONSIDERING THE IMPORTANCE OF INSECT RESISTANCE IN CORN EARS IN RELATION TO THE CONTRIBUTION OF INSECTS TO THE MYCOTOXIN PROBLEM. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FOURTIETH ILLINOIS CORN BREEDERS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL. 2004. p. 127-137.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Insects have historically been, and continue to be, one of the more destructive groups of organisms that feed on corn. More recent studies also indicate that they are important in promoting mycotoxin problems in corn. A combination of breeding and genetic engineering has greatly reduced the problems with many of the insects that are important pests of corn. There is also evidence that the generically engineered corn hybrids that are resistant to insects have reduced levels of mycotoxins compared to their nonresistant counterparts. However, insect pest complexes, weather conditions, and inherent hybrid resistance to insects or fungi can influence the relative value of genetically engineered resistance in reducing mycotoxins. The dynamic evolutionary relationship between insects, corn, and their environment are likely to continue to create challenges for those attempting to develop more insect-resistant corn.