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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224105
Title: Potential application of entomopathogens in resistance management for Bt crops

Author
item GASSMANN,, A.J. - IOWA STATE UNIV.
item CARRIERE,, Y. - UNIV. OF ARIZONA
item STOCK,, S.P. - UNIV. OF ARIZONA
item Sisterson, Mark
item TABASHNIK,, B.E. - UNIV. OF ARIZONA

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting North Central Branch
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2008
Publication Date: 3/24/2008
Citation: Gassmann,, A., Carriere,, Y., Stock,, S., Sisterson, M.S., Tabashnik,, B. 2008. Potential application of entomopathogens in resistance management for Bt crops. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting North Central Branch. Available: http://www.ent.iastate.edu/entsoc/ncb/node/138

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Adaptation by pest insects to the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can alter their susceptibility to other pathogens. As the number of acres planted in crops engineered to produce Bt toxin increases, many key agricultural pests are under strong selection to evolve resistance to Bt. In conjunction with a refuge strategy, fitness costs of Bt resistance can slow or prevent resistance. Fitness costs occur when, in the absence of Bt toxin, resistant insects are less fit than susceptible insects. We discuss evidence indicating that Bt resistance carries a fitness cost of increased susceptibility to other pathogens, focusing on interactions between the pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema riobrave. Current evidence suggests that insect pathogens may be used synergistically with Bt crops to enhance resistance management and suppress pest populations.