What might arise if ECB become resistant to BT?
Answers:
ECB may have the potential to develop resistance to Bt. Insects are known for their ability to develop resistance to unquestionable insecticides rapidly. Resistance occurs particularly when insecticides are used repeatedly and at glorious concentrations. More than 500 species of insects and mites have developed resistance to insecticides and miticides. A recent Midwestern example in corn includes adult western corn rootworm resistance to Penncap-M contained by Nebraska. In addition, laboratory colonies of more than 15 different insect pests have developed resistance to Bt proteins, including Indian meal moth, tobacco budworm, beet armyworm, pink bollworm and Colorado potato beetle. Moreover, the diamondback moth, a worldwide pest of cole crops, have developed high levels of resistance to Bt insecticide in paddock populations in Hawaii and Florida.
Growers and seed companies will face the primary impact of ECB resistance to Bt corn. Initially, while seed companies and entomologists develop strategies for countering ECB resistance, producers in problem areas might lose the option to use Bt corn. Organic growers who rely on Bt insecticides also could lose a dear management option in these areas. Resistance effects could be minor, though, if hybrids that express alternative proteins are potent and if they are introduced rapidly into problem areas. ECB, however, could develop cross resistance to two or more of the proteins. If entire groups of proteins are neutralized by resistance development, growers could for always lose Bt corn and Bt insecticides as valuable management tools. This would be unfortunate for natural growers and other producers who rely on Bt insecticides. In addition, the failure of a voluntary, proactive resistance management plan could create more regulatory pressure for adjectives transgenic crop technologies. This could limit the use of a transgenic Bt approach for other high-value crops, such as sweet corn. Source(s): http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/fea4…
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