An economic analysis of non-Bt corn refuges

Planting Bt transgenic corn in large areas of the environment may lead to E uropean corn borer(ECB) [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner)] resistance to Bt toxi ns. Scientists recommend planting a non-Bt corn refuge of at least 20% of t otal corn area in close proximity to Bt corn as part of an Insect Resistanc e Management (IRM) strategy. A partial budget analysis was used to estimate the costs of implementing alternative refuge configurations in the US Corn Belt. A strip configuration is the least cost method of planting a 20% non -Bt corn refuge. A block-U refuge combination is only slightly more costly. The costs are small regardless of configuration choice and it is likely th at other considerations, such as potential GMO segregation requirements, wi ll dictate choice of configuration. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.