Theses and Dissertations

Arun Babu

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Musser, Fred R.

Committee Member

Cook, Donald

Committee Member

Allen, Clint

Committee Member

Caprio, Michael A.

Date of Degree

8-17-2013

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Entomology and Plant Pathology

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology

Abstract

Transgenic corn hybrids expressing Bt toxins are widely deployed to control pests such as Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). However, Bt resistance can reduce the efficacy of Bt corn hybrids. Volunteer corn expressing Bt toxins may impact Bt resistance management of pests. Surveys in Mississippi revealed the occurrence of fall season volunteer corn in high densities. Helicoverpa zea larvae were found feeding during both vegetative and reproductive stages. However, Bt parentage and low to moderate water and nitrogen stresses did not significantly influence H. zea larval growth and development on Bt positive volunteer plants. Additionally, pollen mediated Bt gene flow to non-Bt refuge ears from Bt hybrids significantly reduced H. zea larval growth on cross-pollinated refuge ears. The implications of these findings are that volunteer corn in most Mississippi corn production regions will have little impact on H. zea Bt resistance management, but resistance management could be compromised in more southern regions.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/20203

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