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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #84585
Title: BT CORN AND EUROPEAN CORN BORER: LONG-TERM SUCCESS THROUGH RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT

Author
item HUTCHISON, WILLIAM - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item OSTLIE, KENNETH - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item Hellmich Ii, Richard
item WITKOWSKI, JOHN - UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
item Lewis, Leslie
item Barry, B

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Monograph
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Seed companies are now marketing one of the first tangible fruits of biotechnology, Bt corn, that has practical implications for U.S. and Canadian corn farmers. Bt-corn hybrids produce their own version of an insecticidal protein derived from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, which offers protection equal to, and commonly, far greater than optimally timed insecticide applications. These proteins are environmentally friendly because they have a narrow host range and biodegrade quickly. Rapid introduction of these corn hybrids, however, creates uncertainty about the technology and new questions about its use. What is Bt corn? How is it made? How does it work? What is the best way to use it? Is it worth the added cost? In this publication we provide an overview of Bt corn, one of the most innovative technologies ever developed for managing European corn borer, and discuss how best to use this technology for long- term profitability. This information should be useful to seed-corn companies and corn producers.

Technical Abstract: Seed companies are now marketing one of the first tangible fruits of biotechnology, Bt corn, that has practical implications for U.S. and Canadian corn farmers. Bt-corn hybrids produce their own version of an insecticidal protein derived from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, which offers protection equal to, and commonly, far greater than optimally timed insecticide applications. These proteins are environmentally friendly because they have a narrow host range and biodegrade quickly. Rapid introduction of these corn hybrids, however, creates uncertainty about the technology and new questions about its use. What is Bt corn? How is it made? How does it work? What is the best way to use it? Is it worth the added cost? In this publication we provide an overview of Bt corn, one of the most innovative technologies ever developed for managing European corn borer, and discuss how best to use this technology for long- term profitability. This information should be useful to seed-corn companies and corn producers.