The design and implementation of insect resistance management programs for Bt crops

Area of Science:

• Agricultural biotechnology
• Entomology
• Crop science

Background:

• Biotechnological insect resistance traits from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely adopted in cotton and corn since 1996.
• Concerns about insect resistance evolution led to the implementation of integrated resistance management (IRM) programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the status of Bt crop technologies and IRM principles.
• To describe IRM program implementation and success factors.
• To suggest future evolution of IRM strategies for global stewardship.

Main Methods:

• Review of current Bt crop technologies and IRM programs.
• Analysis of factors affecting IRM implementation.
• Discussion of future IRM strategies.

Main Results:

• Limited resistance cases observed after over 15 years of global Bt crop use indicate broad success of IRM.
• Observed resistance issues linked to first-generation technologies and compromised IRM (e.g., inadequate "refuge" strategies).

Conclusions:

• Bt crop technologies have been broadly successful due to IRM.
• Next-generation technologies with multiple modes of action and manufacturing-dependent IRM (e.g., seed mixes) will enhance future programs.