DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES TO MINIMIZE EFFECTS OF MAIZE GM CROPS ON NON-TARGET ORGANISMS
1. BRASIL
B. DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES TO MINIMIZE EFFECTS OF MAIZE GM CROPS ON NON-TARGET ORGANISMS
Bt crops are a powerful tool to improve pest management in both, small and large scale farming system. However, unexpected effects such as secondary pest outbreaks and evolution of resistance on target pest population should be prevented in order to avoid the early obsolescence of the technology. Development of strategies for the management of agro ecosystems (eg. IPM in large areas with a multi-crop approach) and crop operation guidelines is crucial to minimize effects on non-target organisms to maximize IPM efficacy.
In this subproject, initially there was proposed to carry out an extensive literature review of existing management strategies and operational guidelines for the maize system. Next, selected management tactics will be validated under different crop systems of maize in Brazil, ranging from familiar to high tech farmers local conditions. Also, these results will be applicable to other countries, because there are more differences between small and large farmers in Brazil than between small or large famers from different countries. These strategies will be compatible with local legal system and will be adjusted to others closely
local systems in a regional range. However certain tactics may not be universally valid because we are working in the tropics, in highly-biodiverse environment and some local adaptation may be critical. In this subproject, we propose to initially carry out an extensive literature review of existing management strategies and operational guidelines for the selected crops. Next, selected management tactics will be validated under local conditions. The development of strategies and diffusion of crop operation guidelines in a regional scale will become the technology sustainable for longer and it will provide the maximum benefits for the farmer and consumers. Also, the validation of operational guidelines effectiveness to reduce the GM maize impact on the environment and on nontarget, these results will be used on short curses and all training activities inside and outside the country.
Contacto: Simone Martins Mendes - EMBRAPA – BRASIL
E-mail: simone@cnpms.embrapa.br
