Towards a holistic integrated pest management: Lessons learned from plant-insect mechanisms in the field

Authors: SINISTERRA-HUNTER, X - Agtech; Hunter, Wayne

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/27/2018
Publication Date: 3/7/2018
Citation: Sinisterra-Hunter, X., Hunter, W.B. 2018. Towards a holistic integrated pest management: Lessons learned from plant-insect mechanisms in the field. In: The Biology of Plant-Insect Interactions: A Compendium for the Plant Biotechnologist. [Chandrakanth Emani (ed)]. ISBN 9781498709736-CAT#K25008. Chapter 10. p. 204-226.

Interpretive Summary: Discussed are the emerging agricultural-biotechnologies and applications of gene-editing and gene expression techniques that have revolutionized research fields across: plant and animal breeding, pathology, microbiology, and crop improvement. These advances have also changed how traditional fields of entomology, biopharma, and biomedical research are conducted. One technology, RNA interference (RNAi) has been pivotal in the development of research applications elucidating functional genomics; crop improvement; and the management of arthropod pests and viral pathogens. A renewed focuses to understand the genetic diversity from weeds and distantly related plants to currently grown crops, is providing solutions to a wider set of local and global problems in agriculture linked to drought, insect pests. Meanwhile, new emerging economic opportunities in biofuel production and biopharma are improving human health. Using these natural genetic processes found in all plants, insects, and microbes, has changed the way our foods are produced. As the human population increases, there will be intense pressure to develop new crop varieties and environmentally resilient plants. Biotechnology permits many alterations in a shorter time than traditional crop breeding, and can make plants safer, and more nutritious to meet the needs of humans and animals.

Technical Abstract: Discussed are the emerging agricultural-biotechnologies and applications of gene-editing and gene expression techniques that have revolutionized research fields across: plant and animal breeding, pathology, microbiology, and crop improvement. These advances have also changed how traditional fields of entomology, biopharma, and biomedical research are conducted. One technology, RNA interference (RNAi) has been pivotal in the development of research applications elucidating functional genomics; crop improvement; and the management of arthropod pests and viral pathogens. A renewed focuses to understand the genetic diversity from weeds and distantly related plants to currently grown crops, is providing solutions to a wider set of local and global problems in agriculture linked to drought, insect pests. Meanwhile, new emerging economic opportunities in biofuel production and biopharma are improving human health. Using these natural genetic processes found in all plants, insects, and microbes, has changed the way our foods are produced. As the human population increases, there will be intense pressure to develop new crop varieties and environmentally resilient plants. Biotechnology permits many alterations in a shorter time than traditional crop breeding, and can make plants safer, and more nutritious to meet the needs of humans and animals.