1.Bollworm control problems in US with Bt cotton
2.GM canola could make resistance problems worse
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1.Bollworm control problems in US with Bt cotton
From Wytze de Lange <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Below is a very interesting item from the Syngenta supported Checkbiotech newslist. Among other things it shows that in areas where Bt-cotton is not used extensively, control of pink bollworms is better than in areas where Bt cotton is used extensively. Also non-Bt farmers are being forced to pay $32 per acre for assessment whereas Bt farmers do not have to pay anything.
I remember having seen similar eradication programmes for European corn borer, suggesting that the fight against these pests is more depending on other measures than growing Bt crops.
wytze ...... * Society & Economics | Safety & Regulations | North America Arizona growers voting on pink bollworm eradication (05 May 2004) Tuesday, May 4, 2004 By Harry Cline
TUCSON, Ariz. - Almost 900 Arizona cotton growers are voting for the second time in five years to initiate a pink bollworm (PBW) eradication program industry leaders hope can exorcise the economic albatross that has been hanging around their necks for four decades. http://www.checkbiotech.org/Society&Economics/Farming/documents
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2.Ryegrass herbicide resistance may increase with GM canola
Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 27 Apr 2004
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/stories/s1095645.htm
Western Australian researchers believe glyphosate resistance in ryegrass will increase, with the introduction of 'Roundup Ready' canola. A report by the WA Herbicide Resistance Initiative has found resistance is continuing to worsen across Australia, with 38 cases detected. And researcher Dr Paul Neve believes GM canola will add to the problem, because higher usage of glyphosate is required. He says two types of weeds in the United States are already showing resistance.
"Certainly again our research is showing that it can make that problem worse, really just simply, because obviously 'Roundup Ready' is going to result in more round up use; and obviously one of the major drivers for resistance is just the selection pressure placed on those populations, so more 'Roundup' use is going to increase risks of glyphosate resistance."
Monsanto, the developer of 'Roundup Ready' canola, has been unavailable for comment.
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The potential for hybridisation to occur between canola and wild radish under field conditions http://wahri.agric.uwa.edu.au/News%20&%20Views%20Articles/Autumn04/mocropupdates.htm