Page 13 - 2019 Ag Mag

Integrated Pest Management
KMAland 2019 13
F Challenges tain either mCry3A or Cry3Bb1,
New
For decades the term Integrat-
which raises concerns about the
ed pest management (IPM) has
been defined in a variety of ways
long-term durability of these pyr-
by farmers, ag retailers, and ex-
We need to understand the fact
tension specialists. The actual in Corn and amids.
definition of IPM is an approach that with new technologies we
to controlling a specific pest in a Soybean develop, pests will continue to
specific setting that makes use of evolve and challenge us. This
current pest information, regular Production does not mean that we need

monitoring and record keeping to avoid new technologies and
to determine if and when action Aaron Saeugling traits, it means we need to man-
Iowa State University
against the pest is needed. IPM Field Agronomist age their use. The simple days
uses a combination of control of plant it, spray it and forget it
strategies (biological, chemical, are OVER. We need to be bet-
cultural, educational, mechanical ter managers to understand the
and physical) to prevent unac- biology of the pest we want to
ceptable damage or annoyance. manage. Rotation is the best
The control options chosen choice to help reduce selection
should be the most effective with pressure. This includes rotating
the least risk to people and the crops, herbicides, fungicides, and
environment, yet provide viable insecticides. Modern agriculture
options to produce a quality, eco- is challenged with the issue of
nomical, and safe crop or main- resistance today and in the fu-
tain a clean, healthy indoor or ture. Currently all technologies
outdoor setting. IPM promotes have some form of resistance to
prevention over remediation and by western corn rootworm in chemical control measures. One
integration of strategies over a Iowa to mCry3A corn, which was beneficial web site that houses
solitary control tool. The con- released in 2007. In addition, this excellent information is https://
cept of IPM can apply to other paper also found cross-resistance iwilltakeaction.com/ . The issue
cropping systems and is not ex- between Cry3Bb1 and mCry3A. of resistance and the methods of
clusive to corn and soybean pro- Cross-resistance is defined as re- resistance by insect, disease and
duction. duced susceptibility to multiple weeds are complex but the chal-
Genetic traits have been very toxins through a common mecha- lenges for today’s farmers is chal-
beneficial to reduce the amount nism and can result in populations lenging. The takeaction web site
of chemical insecticides used, being resistant to toxins to which is a step by step program farm-
yet corn rootworms have now they have never been exposed. In ers can do online to learn more
become resistant to the genetic this case, it means that a popula- about weeds, disease, and insect
traits currently available. In 2011, tion of western corn rootworm management. This web site has
Gassmann et al. confirmed field- that develops resistance to either color pictures, worksheets, pesti-
evolved resistance to Cry3Bb1 mCry3A corn or Cry3Bb1 corn cide information.
corn by western corn rootworm in will be resistant to both mCry3A So for farmers to be success-
Iowa. This was the first BT trait for corn and Cry3Bb1 corn, even if ful today and in the future a well
corn rootworm, and was released one of the traits has never been planned IPM program that utiliz-
in 2003. In 2014, Gassmann et al. used against that population. Ad- es economics, thresholds and cul-
showed field-evolved resistance ditionally, all of the Bt pyramids tural practices are the best tools.
targeting corn rootworm con-