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Efficacy and Deployment of Transgenic Plants for Stemborer Management

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Abstract

Transgenic plants expressing Bacillus thuringiensis δ-endotoxins are now being used commercially in several crop species. These toxins have demonstrated good control of temperate (Ostrinia nubilalis) and tropical (Diatraea grandiosella and D. saccharalis) stemborers in maize. Resistance to B. thuringiensis toxins has been reported in over 11 species in both field and laboratory studies, demonstrating the need for resistance management strategies to prolong the efficacy of this valuable pest management tool within an integrated control programme. Resistance involves reduced binding of toxins to midgut epithelial cells and is generally considered to be a recessive trait. Resistance management will require the use of spatial and temporal refugia which may require unique schemes for each pest complex. Information is presented on the mode of action of cry toxins, resistance mechanisms, interaction of transgenic plants and biocontrol agents, and management/deployment strategies for transgenic maize in tropical ecologies.

Résumé

Les plantes transgéniques qui expriment les δ-endotoxines de Bacillus thuringiensis sont maintenant en train d’être utilisées commercialement dans plusieurs espèces de cultures. Ces toxines se sont révélées de bons agents de lutte contre les foreurs des tiges du maïs des zones tempérées (Ostrinia nubilalis) et des zones tropicales (Diatrea grandiosella et D. saccharalis). Une résistance aux toxines de B. thuringiensis a été rapportée chez plus de 11 espèces à partir des études de terrain et de laboratoire, démontrant le besoin des stratégies de contrôle de la résistance pour prolonger l’efficacité de cet outil de valeur dans le contrôle des ravageurs au sein d’un programme de lutte intégrée. La résistance implique la réduction de l’attachement des toxines sur les cellules épithéliales de l’estomac moyen et elle est généralement considérée comme un caractère récessif. Le contrôle de la résistance va nécessiter l’utilisation des refuges spatiaux et temporaires qui pourraient exiger des schémas uniques pour chaque complexe de ravageurs. Une information est fournie en ce qui concerne le mode d’action des cry toxines, les méchanismes de résistance, l’interaction entre plantes transgéniques et agents de lutte biologique ainsi que des stratégies du contrôle / déploiement pour le maïs transgénique.

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  1. International Center of Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT), Lisboa 06600, Mexico D.F., Mexico

    David Bergvinson, Martha Willcox & David Hoisington

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  1. David Bergvinson
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  2. Martha Willcox
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  3. David Hoisington
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Bergvinson, D., Willcox, M. & Hoisington, D. Efficacy and Deployment of Transgenic Plants for Stemborer Management. Int J Trop Insect Sci 17, 157–167 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400022281

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