Where have all the borers gone?-part 2. the continuing challenges of OPVS on the ACB's 'boring' life, and the impacts of Bt corn and current policy issues
2016
Caasi-Lit, M.T.
Pesticide use has obviously been reduced in corn production for the control of the number one insect pest, the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee). With Bt corn technology, ACB population has been effectively managed. After only a decade of Bt corn farming, the number of hectares and the volume of production have dramatically increased along with the income of corn farmers, giving a big boost to the corn and animal feeds industries. With this scenario, people ask, 'where have all the borers gone?'. This paper continues to discuss the significance of Bt corn introduction in the country and its effect on the life of the ACB. With the same general question, it attempts to focus also on hypotheses associated with the suppression of local ACB populations. Interestingly, field observations revealed that ACB continues to be a serious pest among open-pollinated corn varieties (OPVs) and hence, this continuing saga (ACB vs. non-Bt corn). For all these developments, where will it take us especially as we are confronted with current policy issues (e.g. Philippine Supreme Court rulings) on genetically modified organisms.
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