Functional transgenes in Mexican maize: benefits and risks for insect pest management in Mexico and the United States

• DOI: 10.1093/aesa/saae007
• Publication Date: 2024-04-09T13:31:21Z
• Authors: Carlos A Blanco; Gerardo Hernandez; Galen Dively; Kevin Conover; Maribel Portilla; Giseli Valentini; Antonio Fosado; Craig A Abel; Homero Guzmán; Laura Occelli; Lisa Knolhoff; Miguel Corona; Tania Blanco; Tina Ward; Urbano Nava-Camberos; Victor Di-Bella; W D Hutchison
• Keywords: Insect pest

Abstract Corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) are major migratory pests of maize (Zea mays) in the United States Mexico. They primarily controlled with genetically engineered (GE) maize, while 25-yr moratorium on cultivating GE Mexico has forced growers to control these insecticides, where productivity remains 35% below world’s average. The annually exports 5% its grain Mexico, it provides human food animal feed. This seed is often sown by smallholder growers, leading plantings transgene-expressing potential hybridization local landraces. As a result, transgenes now present Mexican products In this study, we examined F1 offspring better understand frequency different expressed seeds exported We show that contains numerous transgenes, including an estimated ~68% epsps expressing resistance herbicide glyphosate; ~80% pat bar glufosinate; ~82% Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes effectively protect plants from several insect pests. tested 134 samples, landraces 10 states, found glyphosate 33% glufosinate. Many samples containing also 11%–100% functional Bt which can reduce refuge area provided increase Bt-resistant allele frequency. discuss ways introgression could provide pest management benefits but, at same time, accelerate development Bt-resistance corn armyworm. Our cost-effective screening methods be used determine maize.