YieldGardŽ Rootworm Corn (YGRW) technology was first available to growers for the 2003 growing season. YGRW corn is a genetically-improved Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn that produces a protein within the corn plant that protects the roots from larval corn rootworm damage. To help preserve the benefits of this technology, an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) plan was required as part of the YGRW registration. The plan allows growers to plant up to 80% of all corn acres with YGRW corn and requires a minimum of 20% of corn acres be planted with non-corn rootworm Bt corn that can be treated as needed for larval corn rootworm control. The main differences between the YGRW IRM plan and the YieldGard Corn Borer (YGCB) IRM plan is the YGRW plan requires that the corn refuge be planted within or adjacent to the YGRW field. The adjacent field can be separated by a road and/or ditch but not another field. Because no other Bt crop producing the Cry 3Bb1 protein is commercially available, the identical IRM plan can be used in both corn- and cotton-growing regions of the U.S. Although there are many similarities between the YGRW and YGCB IRM plans, differences in the IRM plans need to be clarified to ensure growers plant the appropriate refuge for each Bt technology. The current refuge requirements for YGRW IRM plan including minimum refuge size and placement will be presented. Differences between the YGRW and YGCB IRM plans also will be discussed.
Species 1: Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (western corn rootworm)
Species 2: Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Diabrotica barberi (northern corn rootworm)
Keywords: Bt corn, IRM Plan
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