Waiting for Diabrotica
In July 2007 the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgigera) was discovered for the first time in Germany, in western Baden-Württemberg. Since the pest was spotted in the autumn of 2003 near Basel and most recently in July 2005 near Maastricht, it was only a matter of time until it crossed the border to Germany. A lot of thought is therefore being given to strategies to fight the pest. One option is genetically modified Bt maize that is resistant to Diabrotica. Numerous biosafety research projects are investigating possible ecological impacts of Diabrotica-resistant Bt maize.
|
A new option for combating the Western corn rootworm, a genetically modified maize line (Mon863; YieldGard Rootworm Corn) was authorised in the USA at the end of February 2003 and was planted there on around two million hectares in 2005. As with the established strategy for controlling the European corn borer , these genetically modified maize plants also produce a Bt toxin , but one which acts specifically on the corn rootworm. The gene (cry3Bb1) comes from a subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis (B. t. ssp. kurmamotoensis). Unlike MON810, which acts on the European corn borer, MON863 produces more toxin in the roots, but has a lower toxin content overall. MON863 was authorised for import and use as feed in Europe in August 2005, and for use as food in January 2006. In addition to MON863, other events with resistance to the corn borer are currently going through the European approval procedure. New safety research projects on Diabrotica-resistant maize A whole series of BMBF-funded safety research projects are investigating Diabrotica- resistant Bt maize. One field trial will study the possible ecological impact of cultivation and also the possible development of resistance in the corn rootworm. In particular the aim is also to improve methodical approaches for post-market monitoring. |
| The projects: | |
| RWTH Aachen University | The maize ecosystem: Effects on arthropods in ground vegetation, species directly related to Diabrotica, pollen eaters and insects which visit flowers |
| The Bavarian State Research Centre for Agriculture (LfL) Freising | Effects on ground-dwelling predatory arthropods (ground beetles and spiders) and sap-sucking insects such as cicadas and aphids |
| The Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (BBA) Darmstadt | Activation and action of Bt toxin in the intestine of Diabrotica (investigating the causes of resistance), effect of Bt toxin on non-target organisms; biotest with Colorado potato beetle larvae |
| The Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (BBA) Braunschweig | Effect on Diptera/sciarid fly species larvae and their predators |
| Institute for Biodiversity-Network, Regensburg | Developing a biotest with nematodes to detect the bio-availability and toxicity of Bt toxins in the soil |
| BTL Bio-Test Labor GmbH, Sagertheide | Developing a method to test the toxicity of Bt maize roots on Diabrotica for sensitivity studies to be used for subsequent resistance management |
| University of Göttingen | Risk assessment of the development of resistance in Diabrotica to Bt maize through alternative host plants |
| The Federal Agriculture Research Centre (FAL), Braunschweig | Persistence of the Cry3Bb1 gene and protein and their effect on soil microbiology |
| Dienstleistungszentrum ländlicher Raum (DLR), Neustadt/ Weinstraße | Methods of detecting Cry3Bb1 |
| University of Göttingen | Behaviour of the Cry3Bb1 protein in the soil of the release area |
| University of Hannover | Methods of defining tolerable safety levels, preparation of biostatistical methods and software for planning and evaluating field trials |
More from GMO Safety
- Interview with Sabine Eber: "The focus is on the soil."
- The Western corn rootworm: Pest conquers Europe.
![[jump to top]](/images/icons/icon_gotop_9x9.gif){kind=icon}