Evaluation of Transgenic Corn Against European Corn Borer, 1997D

Abstract

Abstract This experiment was conducted to assess the per formance of Bacillus thuringiensis transgenic corn hybrids (<95-day RM) and comparable non-Bt hybrids against a natural ECB infestation in west centra Minnesota. This area contains a mixture of univoltine and multivoltine biotypes. Treatments included 3 non-Bt hybrids (Ciba 4144, NK 2555, NK 3030) anc their isogenic counterparts (Max 357, NK 2555Bt, NK 3030Bt) arranged in a RCB design with 6 replications. Plots, each measuring 50 ft by 8 rows (30-inch row spacing), were planted on 19 May at a rate of 30,000 seeds per acre using a Hiniker Econo Till Planter. Planting preparations, fertilizer and herbicide ap plications followed normal production practices. First generation evaluations on 5 Aug included % of plants with leaf injury, leaf injury ratings (1 to 9 scale) number of tunnels, and tunnel length. Combined effects of univoltine and second generations were measured by examining tunnel number and length, ear anc shank infestations, and overwintering larvae on 20 Sept. Plots were harvested on 10 Oct and yields were corrected to 15.5% moisture.