S. D. Stewart, The University of Tennessee, West Tennessee Research & Education Center, 605 Airways Blvd., Jackson, TN 38301, B. R. Leonard, LSU AgCenter, Macon Ridge Station, 212 Macon Ridge, Winnsboro, LA 71295, and Fred Musser, Mississippi State University, Clay Lyle Bldg., Mississippi State, MS 39762.
New, currently Bt corns are under development that have two or more Bt genes. These genes considerably increase activity on lepidopteran pests. These next generation Bt corns have significantly improved activity on corn earworm (a.k.a. bollworm). If this technology is widely adopted in cotton growing regions, bollworm emigration from corn may be reduced. However, because these new technologies have greater efficacy on bollworm, and because similar Bt traits are present in cotton, the impact on Bt resistance management should be considered. This paper will discuss the efficacy of next generation Bt corn hybrids on bollworm populations and address the potential implications of this technology on bollworm control in cotton and resistance management.