Fruit and vegetables: Forgotten plant diseases

Until now, genetic engineering methods have been used almost exclusively on crops for which there is an international market. Many pathogen… more

Ploughing, chemicals or Bt maize?

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is a serious problem for maize farming in Germany. Maize is now grown on 2.5 million hectares and… more

Genetic engineering experiment: From information to interaction

The Institut National de Recherche Agronomique in Alsace has been trialling a new form of public involvement over recent years. A release e… more

Western corn rootworm found in North Rhine-Westphalia for the first time

On 17 August, the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Agriculture announced that eight Western corn rootworm specimens had been found in Colog… more

"The phenomenon is as old as crop protection itself"

In spring 2010 there were a number of reports of secondary pests in Bt plants. The Western bean cutworm is reported to be spreading in the USA… more

Western corn rootworm causes massive harvest losses in Northern Italy

In Lombardy, Italy’s main maize-growing region, the Western corn rootworm has already destroyed 30 per cent of this year’s harv… more

A new pest for maize farmers: Pest control with side-effects

So far only small numbers of insects have been found, but it is only a matter of time before the Western corn rootworm becomes a problem for m… more

Bt maize: less pest damage, fewer mycotoxins

Heavy pest infestation makes maize plants more susceptible to fungal infections. As a result, food and animal feed is more severely contaminat… more

“Bt maize is an additional means of reducing mycotoxins.”

Fungal diseases are a problem in maize and cereal cultivation. Not only do they cause yield losses, some fungi can also produce toxic substanc… more

Western corn rootworm now in Germany

According to a press release from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs, the Western corn rootworm was found in Germany for… more