Type of fitness cost influences the rate of evolution of resistance to transgenic Bt crops.

ABSTRACT: The evolution of resistance to pesticides by insect pests is a significant challenge for sustainable agriculture. For transgenic crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), crystalline (Cry) toxins resistance evolution may be delayed by the high-dose/refuge strategy in which a non-toxic refuge is planted to promote the survival of susceptible insects. The high-dose/refuge strategy may interact with fitness costs associated with resistance alleles to further delay resistance. However, while a diverse range of fitness costs are reported in the field, they are typically represented as a fixed reduction in survival or viability which is insensitive to ecological conditions such as competition. Furthermore, the potential dynamic consequences of restricting susceptible insects to a refu

SUBMITTER: Hackett SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5026168 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature