Insect Resistance Management Requirements

Lepidopteran cotton pests (cotton bollworm, tobacco budworm and pink bollworm) have demonstrated an ability to develop resistance to many chemical insecticides. As a preemptive stewardship measure, cotton with the B.t. gene(s) must be managed in ways that will retard resistance development. Growers planting B.t. cotton are required to follow the Insect Resistance Management practices addressed in this section. These practices are designed to ensure that some lepidopteran populations are not exposed to the B.t.k. protein(s) so they can reintroduce susceptibility into the selected populations. To do this, the insects must be provided a refuge that is a food source and that does not contain the B.t.k. protein(s).

            Important Requirement Regarding Management of ALL Refuge Fields

To ensure the refuge will produce an adequate number of susceptible insects at the same time as potential resistant insects are being produced in the associated B.t. cotton, the variety of the cotton planted in the refuge must be comparable to the associated B.t. varieties, especially in maturity group. The refuge must be managed (for example, planting time, use of fertilizer, weed control, irrigation, management of other pests and termination) the same as the associated B.t.

Growers of B.t. cotton must carefully read and follow the Insect Resistance Management Requirements.

Due to the importance of delaying the development of resistance to B.t. cotton, failure to plant an appropriate refuge or to manage it properly could result in the revocation of the growers Technology Agreement. Should this occur, sales of technology products to the grower would be suspended. Please help ensure that B.t. technology is preserved by fully cooperating in refuge management.

NOTE: In Florida, do not plant B.t. cotton south of Tampa (Florida Route 60). Commercial culture of B.t. cotton is prohibited in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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