Integration of Insect-Resistant Genetically Modified Crops within IPM Programs

Insect pests remain one of the main constraints to food and fiber production worldwide despite farmers deploying a range of techniques to protect their crops. Modern pest control is guided by the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) with pest resistant germplasm being an important part of the foundation. Since 1996, when the first genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant maize variety was commercialized in the USA, the area planted to insect-resistant GM varieties has grown dramatically, representing the fastest adoption rate of any agricultural technology in human history. The goal of our book is to provide an overview on the role insect-resistant GM plants play in different crop systems worldwide. We hope that the book will contribute to a more rational debate about the role GM crops can play in IPM for food and fiber production.

• Bt-crops
• Insect-resistant genetically modified crops
• Integrated Pest Management
• Risks and benefits of using GM plants
• crops
• farmers
• maize
• Model invertebrates

From the reviews:

"The book has 14 Chapters contributed by 42 authors. … Each chapter is supported by an extensive list of references. This excellent book will surely contribute to a rational debate about the role of GM technology in crop production when a growing human population is demanding an improvement in food production. It should be read by all those involved in the debate … ." (Graham Matthews, Crop Protection, Issue 1, 2008)

"The products of biotechnology will be essential for moving agriculture forward to help meet the food and fiber needs of the growing world population. Biotech crops (GM crops) offer tremendous advances in our ability to manage agricultural pests safely and effectively, and have been rapidly adopted by farmers worldwide. Until recently, plant breeders have been unable to develop crops that are highly resistant to many of our most serious insect pests, but this changed when plants expressing proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) were developed. Bt crops fit in well with the concept and practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and are becoming the cornerstone for IPM in the world's most important crops. This comprehensive book provides valuable information and analysis by many of the world's leading experts involved with integrating transgenic insect-resistant crops into IPM."

(Dr. Norman E. Borlaug - Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1970)

"Using transgenic plants for pest management requires the best of science to retain both the public's trust and the durability of the technology. This comprehensive book contains the best scientific knowledge to date about transgenic insecticidal plants and the importance of their use within an IPM context. Transgenes, especially those from Bacillus thuringiensis, are increasingly used to protect the world's most important crops (cotton, maize, potato and rice) from insect damage. However the durability of their effectiveness is under pressure from insect evolution, and should thus be protected by appropriate IPM practices. This book has collected the wisdom and experience of many of the leading experts on this extremely important aspect of food and fiber security and will serve as an important guide to the future of IPM in transgenic crop management for students, regulators, and a wide array of scientists in developed and developing countries."

(Dr. Thomas Lumpkin, former Director General, AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center and new Director General of CIMMYT.)

• Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Zurich, Switzerland

  Jörg Romeis

• Department of Entomology, Cornell University/NYSAES, Geneva, USA

  Anthony M. Shelton

• Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA

  George G. Kennedy

Policies and ethics