RESUMEN
The success of the refuge strategy for delaying pest resistance to Bt crops depends on compliance by farmers. However, the accuracy of previous estimates of compliance has been questioned. We have applied a novel approach based on the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to measure compliance with refuge requirements for Bt cotton in six Arizona regions from 1998 to 2003. Although compliance varied among regions, overall compliance was above 88% in five of six years. With the cooperation of farmers, our approach allows precise and economical assessment of compliance with the refuge strategy.
Asunto(s)
Agricultura/normas , Bacillus thuringiensis , Toxinas Bacterianas , Gossypium , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente , Arizona , Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Toxinas Bacterianas/genética , Gossypium/genética , Adhesión a Directriz , Resistencia a los Insecticidas , Factores de Tiempo , Estados Unidos , United States Environmental Protection AgencyRESUMEN
Evolution of resistance by pests can reduce the benefits of transgenic crops that produce toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for insect control. One of the world's most important cotton pests, pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), has been targeted for control by transgenic cotton producing Bt toxin Cry1Ac in several countries for more than a decade. In China, the frequency of resistance to Cry1Ac has increased, but control failures have not been reported. In western India, pink bollworm resistance to Cry1Ac has caused widespread control failures of Bt cotton. By contrast, in the state of Arizona in the southwestern United States, monitoring data from bioassays and DNA screening demonstrate sustained susceptibility to Cry1Ac for 16 y. From 1996-2005, the main factors that delayed resistance in Arizona appear to be abundant refuges of non-Bt cotton, recessive inheritance of resistance, fitness costs associated with resistance and incomplete resistance. From 2006-2011, refuge abundance was greatly reduced in Arizona, while mass releases of sterile pink bollworm moths were made to delay resistance as part of a multi-tactic eradication program. Sustained susceptibility of pink bollworm to Bt cotton in Arizona has provided a cornerstone for the pink bollworm eradication program and for integrated pest management in cotton. Reduced insecticide use against pink bollworm and other cotton pests has yielded economic benefits for growers, as well as broad environmental and health benefits. We encourage increased efforts to combine Bt crops with other tactics in integrated pest management programs.
Asunto(s)
Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Gossypium/genética , Resistencia a los Insecticidas , Mariposas Nocturnas/fisiología , Control Biológico de Vectores , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente , Animales , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Productos Agrícolas , Endotoxinas/genética , Gossypium/parasitología , Proteínas Hemolisinas/genética , Insecticidas , Transgenes , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Genetically engineered crops that produce insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are grown widely for pest control. However, insect adaptation can reduce the toxins' efficacy. The predominant strategy for delaying pest resistance to Bt crops requires refuges of non-Bt host plants to provide susceptible insects to mate with resistant insects. Variable farmer compliance is one of the limitations of this approach. Here we report the benefits of an alternative strategy where sterile insects are released to mate with resistant insects and refuges are scarce or absent. Computer simulations show that this approach works in principle against pests with recessive or dominant inheritance of resistance. During a large-scale, four-year field deployment of this strategy in Arizona, resistance of pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) to Bt cotton did not increase. A multitactic eradication program that included the release of sterile moths reduced pink bollworm abundance by >99%, while eliminating insecticide sprays against this key invasive pest.
Asunto(s)
Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Mariposas Nocturnas , Control Biológico de Vectores/métodos , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/metabolismo , Animales , Bacillus thuringiensis/metabolismo , Simulación por Computador , Resistencia a Medicamentos , Femenino , Infertilidad Masculina , Masculino , Modelos Biológicos , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Selección GenéticaRESUMEN
Despite the potentially profound impact of genetically modified crops on agriculture and the environment, we know little about their long-term effects. Transgenic crops that produce toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to control insects are grown widely, but rapid evolution of resistance by pests could nullify their benefits. Here, we present theoretical analyses showing that long-term suppression of pest populations is governed by interactions among reproductive rate, dispersal propensity, and regional abundance of a Bt crop. Supporting this theory, a 10-year study in 15 regions across Arizona shows that Bt cotton suppressed a major pest, pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), independent of demographic effects of weather and variation among regions. Pink bollworm population density declined only in regions where Bt cotton was abundant. Such long-term suppression has not been observed with insecticide sprays, showing that transgenic crops open new avenues for pest control. The debate about putative benefits of Bt crops has focused primarily on short-term decreases in insecticide use. The present findings suggest that long-term regional pest suppression after deployment of Bt crops may also contribute to reducing the need for insecticide sprays.