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Reisig D, Heiniger R. Yield analysis and corn earworm feeding in Bt and non-Bt corn hybrids across diverse locations. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2024:toae120. [PMID: 38832396 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toae120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Corn, Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae), growers in the US Cotton Belt are required to plant 20% of total corn acres to non-Bt hybrids for resistance management (non-Bt refuge). Most growers do not meet this requirement, in part, because they perceive non-Bt hybrids to yield less than Bt hybrids. We planted multiple non-Bt and Bt hybrids from a single company in small-plot replicated trials at a single location from 2019 to 2023, as well as in small-plot replicated trials at multiple locations during 2022 and 2023. In the single location, we measured kernel injury from corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and we recorded yield at all locations. In the single location trial, yields only separated among hybrids in 3 out of 5 years. In the multiple location trial, yields were variable between both years. We found that Bt hybrids tended to yield higher than non-Bt hybrids overall, but this was influenced by the inclusion of non-Bt hybrids that had a lower overall genetic yield potential in the environments we tested them in. In both tests, when hybrids were analyzed during each year, both Bt and non-Bt hybrids were among the statistically highest yielders. Our study demonstrates the importance of comparing multiple Bt and non-Bt hybrids to draw yield comparisons. This highlights the need for corn seed company breeders to put effort into improving yield for non-Bt hybrids. Hopefully this effort will translate into increased planting of non-Bt refuge corn for growers in the US Cotton Belt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Reisig
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University, 207 Research Station Road, Plymouth, NC 27962, USA
| | - Ryan Heiniger
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, NC State University, Nelson Hall, 3709 Hillsboro Street, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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Yang X, Zhao S, Liu B, Gao Y, Hu C, Li W, Yang Y, Li G, Wang L, Yang X, Yuan H, Liu J, Liu D, Shen X, Wyckhuys KAG, Lu Y, Wu K. Bt maize can provide non-chemical pest control and enhance food safety in China. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:391-404. [PMID: 36345605 PMCID: PMC9884019 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
China is the world's second-largest maize producer and consumer. In recent years, the invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) has adversely affected maize productivity and compromised food security. To mitigate pest-inflicted food shortages, China's Government issued biosafety certificates for two genetically modified (GM) Bt maize hybrids, Bt-Cry1Ab DBN9936 and Bt-Cry1Ab/Cry2Aj Ruifeng 125, in 2019. Here, we quantitatively assess the impact of both Bt maize hybrids on pest feeding damage, crop yield and food safety throughout China's maize belt. Without a need to resort to synthetic insecticides, Bt maize could mitigate lepidopteran pest pressure by 61.9-97.3%, avoid yield loss by 16.4-21.3% (range -11.9-99.2%) and lower mycotoxin contamination by 85.5-95.5% as compared to the prevailing non-Bt hybrids. Yield loss avoidance varied considerably between experimental sites and years, as mediated by on-site infestation pressure and pest identity. For either seed mixtures or block refuge arrangements, pest pressure was kept below established thresholds at 90% Bt maize coverage in Yunnan (where S. frugiperda was the dominant species) and 70% Bt maize coverage in other sites dominated by Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). Drawing on experiences from other crop/pest systems, Bt maize in se can provide area-wide pest management and thus, contribute to a progressive phase-down of chemical pesticide use. Hence, when consciously paired with agroecological and biodiversity-based measures, GM insecticidal crops can ensure food and nutrition security, contribute to the sustainable intensification of China's agriculture and reduce food systems' environmental footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianming Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shengyuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yu Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Chaoxing Hu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous RegionInstitute of Entomology, Guizhou UniversityGuiyangChina
| | - Wenjing Li
- Institute of Plant Protection and Soil FertilityHubei Academy of Agricultural SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Yizhong Yang
- College of Horticulture and Plant ProtectionYangzhou UniversityYangzhouJiangsu ProvinceChina
| | - Guoping Li
- Institute of Plant ProtectionHenan Academy of Agricultural SciencesZhengzhouChina
| | - Lili Wang
- Yantai Academy of Agricultural SciencesYantaiChina
| | - Xueqing Yang
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agricultural UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Haibin Yuan
- College of Plant ProtectionJilin Agricultural UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Jian Liu
- College of AgricultureNortheast Agricultural UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Dazhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
- Agricultural Information InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xiujing Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Kris A. G. Wyckhuys
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhouChina
- University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Chrysalis ConsultingHanoiVietnam
| | - Yanhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Kongming Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
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Mycotoxin risks are lower in biotech corn. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 78:102792. [PMID: 36088737 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are food contaminants that occur when toxigenic fungi colonize crops. Unfortunately, corn, a major staple crop worldwide, is highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. Some mycotoxins, most notably aflatoxin, cause human cancer and other harmful effects such as immunotoxicity and growth impairment. Hence, many nations have set food-safety standards on mycotoxins. Aside from regulations, good agricultural and manufacturing practices lower mycotoxin risks. Agricultural biotechnology has made notable advances in reducing mycotoxins recently. While transgenic Bt corn has been known for years to reduce the mycotoxin fumonisin, new studies have shown its benefit in reducing aflatoxin as well. Other transgenic and RNA-interference corn hybrids target mycotoxin reduction specifically, and gene editing through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat systems has focused on preventing mycotoxin biosynthesis.
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Reisig DD, DiFonzo C, Dively G, Farhan Y, Gore J, Smith J. Best Management Practices to Delay the Evolution of Bt Resistance in Lepidopteran Pests Without High Susceptibility to Bt Toxins in North America. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:10-25. [PMID: 34922393 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Canadian and United States (US) insect resistance management (IRM) programs for lepidopteran pests in Bacillus thuriengiensis (Bt)-expressing crops are optimally designed for Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner in corn (Zea mays L.) and Chloridea virescens Fabricius in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Both Bt corn and cotton express a high dose for these pests; however, there are many other target pests for which Bt crops do not express high doses (commonly referred to as nonhigh dose pests). Two important lepidopteran nonhigh dose (low susceptibility) pests are Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Striacosta albicosta Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). We highlight both pests as cautionary examples of exposure to nonhigh dose levels of Bt toxins when the IRM plan was not followed. Moreover, IRM practices to delay Bt resistance that are designed for these two ecologically challenging and important pests should apply to species that are more susceptible to Bt toxins. The purpose of this article is to propose five best management practices to delay the evolution of Bt resistance in lepidopteran pests with low susceptibility to Bt toxins in Canada and the US: 1) better understand resistance potential before commercialization, 2) strengthen IRM based on regional pest pressure by restricting Bt usage where it is of little benefit, 3) require and incentivize planting of structured corn refuge everywhere for single toxin cultivars and in the southern US for pyramids, 4) integrate field and laboratory resistance monitoring programs, and 5) effectively use unexpected injury thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic D Reisig
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center, 207 Research Station Road, Plymouth, NC, 27962, USA
| | - Chris DiFonzo
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Galen Dively
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Yasmine Farhan
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, 120 Main Street East, Ridgetown, ON, N0P 2C0, Canada
| | - Jeff Gore
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 197, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA
| | - Jocelyn Smith
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, 120 Main Street East, Ridgetown, ON, N0P 2C0, Canada
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Pruter LS, Brewer MJ, Murray SC, Isakeit T, Pekar JJ, Wahl NJ. Yield, Insect-Derived Ear Injury, and Aflatoxin Among Developmental and Commercial Maize Hybrids Adapted to the North American Subtropics. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 113:2950-2958. [PMID: 32978948 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The development of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids that are adapted to subtropical areas of North America should consider yield potential under heat and moisture stress, and reduced susceptibility to insect herbivory and disease. To aid in this process, maize hybrids (43 developmental and seven non-Bt commercial hybrids) were evaluated for severity of ear injury to Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), susceptibility to Aspergillus flavus (Link) (Deuteromycetes: Moniliales), and yield. In subtropical Corpus Christi and College Station, TX, field experiments conducted over three years revealed significant differences among maize hybrids with the rank of the selected measurements differing across the two locations. When the location by maize hybrid interaction was not significant, variation across the main factors of maize hybrid genetics (in all cases) and location (in some cases) was detected. In 2014, a significant location by maize hybrid interaction in yield but not aflatoxin and ear injury were likely associated with differences in weather between locations. In Corpus Christi in 2015, a location by maize hybrid interaction was detected for ear injury only. Overall, experimental maize hybrids, containing the inbred line Tx777, displayed partial resistance to insect derived ear injury in both locations, and some hybrid testcrosses exhibited low rates of aflatoxin accumulation while maintaining relatively high yields. Tx777 was selected from populations originating in Bolivia and adapted to subtropical climates. The most promising hybrid testcrosses had lower ear injury and aflatoxin accumulation, and good yield under varying heat and moisture stress at the two subtropical maize growing areas in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke S Pruter
- Entomology Program, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Corpus Christi, TX
| | - Michael J Brewer
- Entomology Program, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Corpus Christi, TX
| | - Seth C Murray
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Thomas Isakeit
- Department of Plant Pathology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Jacob J Pekar
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Nancy J Wahl
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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The Impact of Bt Corn on Aflatoxin-Related Insurance Claims in the United States. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10046. [PMID: 32572162 PMCID: PMC7308289 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66955-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous field studies have reached no collective consensus on whether Bt corn, the most commonly planted transgenic crop worldwide, has significantly lower aflatoxin levels than non-Bt isolines. Aflatoxin, a mycotoxin contaminating corn and other commodities, causes liver cancer in humans and can pose severe economic losses to farmers. We found that from 2001-2016, a significant inverse correlation existed between Bt corn planting and aflatoxin-related insurance claims in the United States, when controlling for temperature and drought. Estimated benefits of aflatoxin reduction resulting from Bt corn planting are about $120 million to $167 million per year over 16 states on average. These results suggest that Bt corn use is an important strategy in reducing aflatoxin risk, with corresponding economic benefits. If the same principles hold true in other world regions, then Bt corn hybrids adapted to diverse agronomic regions may have a role in reducing aflatoxin in areas prone to high aflatoxin contamination, and where corn is a dietary staple.
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