SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Participants

Baute, Tracey (tracey.baute@ontario.ca) -OMAFRA, Ontario CANADA; Bledsoe, Larry (lbledsoe@purdue.edu )-Purdue University; Boetel, Mark (mark.boetel@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University; Coates, Brad (brad.coates@ars.usda.gov)-USDA ARS Ames, IA; Cullen, Eileen (cullen@entomology.wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin-Madison; DiFonzo, Chris (difonzo@msu.edu)-Michigan State University; Estes, Ron (restes@illinois.edu)-University of Illinois; Frank, Daniel (Daniel.Frank@ars.usda.gov ) - University of Missouri; French, Wade (Wade.French@ars.usda.gov )-USDA ARS Brookings, SD; Fuller, Billy (Billy_Fuller@sdstate.edu)-South Dakota State University; Gassmann, Aaron (aaronjg@iastate.edu)-Iowa State University; Gray, Mike (megray@illinois.edu)-University of Illinois; Hammond, Ron (hammond.5@osu.edu)-OARDC/Ohio State University; Hibbard, Bruce (hibbardb@missouri.edu)-University of Missouri; Hughson, Sarah-Illinois Natural History Survey; Kang, JungKoo (kang61@illinois.edu)-University of Illinois; Krupke, Christian (ckrupke@purdue.edu)-Purdue University; McManus, Brad-South Dakota State University; Meinke, Lance (lmeinke@unlnotes.unl.edu)-University of Nebraska; Meyer, Rick (hmeyer@nifa.usda.gov)-USDA NIFA; Miller, Nick-University of Nebraska; Onstad, David (onstad@uiuc.edu)-University of Illinois; Ostlie, Ken (ostli001@umn.edu)-University of Minnesota; Pueppkie, Steve (pueppke@msu.edu)-Michigan State University; Porter, Pat (pporter@ag.tamu.edu)-Texas A&M University; Sappington, Tom (Tom.Sappington@ars.usda.gov)-USDA ARS Ames, IA; Schaafsma, Art (aschaafs@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca)-University of Guelph, Ontario Canada; Shields, Elson (es28@cornell.edu)-Cornell University; Smith, Jocelyn (jsmith@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca)-University of Guelph, Ontario Canada; Spencer, Joe (spencer1@illinois.edu) Illinois Natural History Survey; Tinsley, Nick - University of Illinois; Tooker, John (tooker@psu.edu)-Pennsylvania State University; Weber, Patrick-Iowa State University; Wright, Bob (rwright@unlnotes.unl.edu)-University of Nebraska

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[Minutes]

Accomplishments

Short-term Outcomes: The problem of inability of public-sector scientists to conduct research on commercialized transgenic crops without company permission was not well known before several NCCC46 corn entomologists and colleagues publically warned EPA. In response the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) drafted a policy statement including principles under which seed companies have committed to allow independent research on their products. The spirit of the new paradigm is being implemented through blanket agreements between seed companies and the public sector (universities and USDA). NCCC46 entomologists continue to lead the initiative and to hold companies accountable to their commitment to abiding by the ASTA principles, as well as to provide guidance to universities for initiating the agreements. Outputs: A manuscript was submitted to the Journal of Economic Entomology Commentary Section by NCCC046 authors Onstad et al. titled 'Seeds of Change: Corn Seed Mixtures for Resistance Management and IPM'. The manuscript was accepted and is in press at the time of the January 2011 NCCC046 annual meeting. ABSTRACT: The use of mixtures of transgenic insecticidal seed and non-transgenic seed to provide an in-field refuge for susceptible insects in insect-resistance-management (IRM) plans has been considered for at least two decades. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency has only recently authorized the practice. This commentary explores issues that regulators, industry and other stakeholders should consider as the use of biotechnology increases and seed mixtures are implemented as a major tactic for IRM. We discuss how block refuges and seed mixtures in transgenic insecticidal corn production will influence integrated pest management (IPM) and the evolution of pest resistance. We conclude that seed mixtures will make pest monitoring more difficult and that seed mixtures may make IRM riskier because of larval behavior and greater adoption of insecticidal corn. Conversely, block refuges present a different suite of risks because of adult pest behavior and the lower compliance with IRM rules expected from farmers. It is likely that secondary pests not targeted by the insecticidal corn as well as natural enemies will respond differently to block refuges and seed mixtures. Different products from different seed companies now have different refuge requirements. More corn hybrids contain multiple transgenic traits and cost of seed is steadily rising - $300 or more per bag is not uncommon. Meanwhile, refuge requirements are changing for multi-trait corn. Some refuges remain structured at 20% planted in a block or series of alternating rows. Others are reduced to 5% or 10%, either in a block or 'in-the-bag' mixed with the Bt seed. Purchasing the correct transgenic hybrid for the correct target insect pest, and planting it with the correct refuge in the proper location is critical to meeting insect resistance management (IRM) stewardship requirements that come with planting Bt corn. This process can be increasingly confusing for growers and consultants. Michican (C. DiFonzo) and Wisconsin (E. Cullen) co-authored and distributed a two-page Extension fact sheet publication titled 'Handy Bt Trait Table'. This print and online publication is intended for corn growers, crop advisers, agronomists, Extension educators, and related agricultural professionals. Text, insect ID color photographs, and a comprehensive table summarize all corn hybrids X Bt trait combinations currently available for corn rootworms and the above ground lepidopteran pest complex, along with the spectrum of insect control and suppression for each product. The table also lists the refuge percentage and field configuration requirements. Cullen and DiFonzo proofed the publication with US EPA and seed company registrants. Based on feedback, national requests for permission to reprint this publication, and to the best of our knowledge, this Extension publication offers the most complete and condensed version of text, photos, and table reference providing Bt corn IRM information to growers and related clientele.

Impacts

  1. Modeling pest resistance to Bt crops demands accurate information on pest movement and other biological parameters. Studies measuring western corn rootworm movement and mating in several configurations of refuge and transgenic corn found that a 5% seed blend yielded uniform WCR abundance and mating across the field. If seed blends are viable and sustainable management tools they will also assure near 100% grower compliance with refuge requirements. (IL: Joe Spencer and Sarah Hughson)
  2. In small fields, potential for western corn rootworm egg-laying and injury can be significantly concentrated onto a small percentage of the field by trap cropping. By employing transgenic corn hybrids, on small portions of their farms were the potential for injury has been focused; growers would save production costs and reduce the selection for pest resistance to transgenic hybrids. Trap cropping did not work reliably in large producer-scale fields. (IL: Joe Spencer, Kevin Steffey, Mike Gray).
  3. Distinctions between rotation-resistant and susceptible WCR populations in expression of digestive enzymes following soybean herbivory suggest that resistance is, in part, tied to adult gut physiology adaptations. Identifying novel gene expression pathways linked to rotation resistance may at last offer scientists a tool to distinguish resistant and susceptible individuals. (IL: M.J. Seufferheld, J.L. Spencer/J. Zavala, Univ. of Buenos Aires).
  4. A study documented frequency of Northern Corn Rootworm extended diapause trait throughout Nebraska. Egg hatch data over two years indicates the trait is present in all populations with significant variation among populations. Highest frequency occurred along north-south transect parallel to the Missouri River. Results add knowledge of diapause and genetic variation for this species and contribute data required for revised management recommendations in different areas of NE. (NE: Lance Meinke).
  5. USDA, ARS, NCARL Brookings, SD rears corn rootworm colonies collected from throughout the U.S. Corn Belt. Many colonies have unique characteristics of resistance. Use of these colonies has been instrumental in several recent studies in North America and Europe. USDA prescience to establish and maintain these colonies continues to enable comparative research permitting a greater understanding of pest biology, ecology, genetics, chemical and Bt resistance, ecology, and behavior. (SD: Wade French).
  6. Western corn rootworm has recently become established as a pest of maize in the Europe after introductions from North America. Economists have conducted a multi-nation review of the potential economic impacts of the pest in Europe and estimation of a damage function. These efforts have contributed to developing research expertise in Europe and improved farm level management of the pest in Europe and informed the policy response of European nations to this invasive pest. (WI: Paul Mitchell).
  7. 3,726 Wisconsin corn growers and agricultural professionals, plus at least 2,400 growers in 5 additional states (MI, IN, ND, MN and VA) gained knowledge of different IRM refuge requirement for different Bt corn hybrids from different seed companies and increased their capacity to respond with improved IRM stewardship compliance based on the Extension fact sheet co-authored by MI and WI titled Handy Bt Trait Table (MI: Chris DiFonzo and WI: Eileen Cullen).

Publications

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