Author/Authors :
Arshad, Muhammad University of Agriculture - Department of Entomology, Pakistan , Arif, Muhammad Jalal University of Agriculture - Department of Entomology, Pakistan , Gogi, Muhammad Dildar University of Agriculture - Department of Entomology, Pakistan , Abdul ur Rehman, Muhammad University of Agriculture - Department of Entomology, Pakistan , Zain-ul-Abdin University of Agriculture - Department of Entomology, Pakistan , Wakil, Waqas University of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Entomology, Paksitan , Saeed, Noor Abid Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Pakistan
Abstract :
Transgenic Bt cotton has now become a potential source for raising cotton yield due to its targeted control of bollworms, thus decreasing the dependence on insecticides. However, the impact of transgenic Bt crops on non-target natural enemies may be beneficial or harmful. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the abundance of beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids) in Bt and non-Bt cotton under unsprayed condition. The available Bt (NIBGE-IR-3701, AARI-FH-114 and 4B-Tarzan-1) and non-Bt (NIBGE-NN3, NIAB-112 and AARI-FH-942) cotton cultivars were evaluated for the abundance of insect predators (Geocoris spp., Coccinella septempunctata, Menochilus sexmaculata, Chrysoperla carnea) and parasitoids (Trichogramma spp., Apanteless pp.) throughout the growing season by sweep net methods. The results revealed no significant differences in the abundance of predators and parasitoids among Bt and non-Bt cotton, which indicate that transgenic Bt cotton has no impact on the abundance of non-target natural enemies. We can say that Bt cotton can be an important component of integrated pest management program in cotton agro-ecosystem.
