DEVELOPMENT OF RESISTANCE IN PESTS TO TRANSGENIC PLANTS: MECHANISMS AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

INTRODUCTION Despite human efforts to control crop pests, every year, approximately 37 to 42% of the world&s;s potential crop production is lost to pests, including 12% to plant pathogens, 14% to insects, and the remainder to weeds (Gatehouse and Gatehouse, 1998; FAO, 1993; Oerke et al., 1994). Control measures employed include pesticides, host plant resistance, cultural controls (e.g. as rotations or tillage types), behavioral modification, and biological control. Oerke et al. (1994) project that without pesticides, losses of wheat, soybeans, and potatoes would be more than 50%, and losses of com and rice greater than 80%. Pesticides, in addition to saving about 10% of the world food supply, can also cause serious environmental and public health problems (Blair, 1989; Lefferts, 1989; Hotchkiss, 1992; Younes and Galal-Gorchev, 2000).