ADJUSTING CROP MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INSECT-RESISTANT CROP VARIETIES

Insect-resistant crop varieties can be an important component of an in tegrated pest management program. To achieve use in production agricul ture, however, is more difficult than might be expected. The process o f deployment after development of the insect-resistant cultivar by res earch entomologists and plant breeders involves Extension Service coop eration and industry commitment. Education of professionals and grower s relative to the role insect-resistant cultivars play in integrated p est management is key to successful deployment and continued use. Simi larly, the need to adjust crop management recommendations for insect-r esistant crop varieties requires changes in traditional information ma de available to growers. For example, information on economic threshol d levels, based on economic injury level research data, is required wh en making insecticide-use decisions to control insect pests on resista nt and susceptible cultivars. Insecticide use requirements for control of insect pests on resistant cultivars likewise often change. The inf ormation required and adjustments to crop management recommendations m ust be such that there is confidence in the use of insect-resistant cu ltivars. Examples of adjustments to management recommendations are pre sented using insect-resistant sorghums as a case history.