Keeping Pace with Bt Corn – from Stacked Traits to Blended Refuges

Since the introduction of Bt corn for rootworm control just 6 years ago, there have been significant changes and innovations in both the proteins themselves and the way they are implemented. Dr. Krupke will discuss the latest innovations in traits and refuge planting and discuss the relative merits of the various approaches. Dr. Krupke will also present independent research that critically examines some of the short and long-term consequences of the increasingly common practice of stacking herbicide traits with Bt toxins (volunteer corn expressing Bt) as well as evaluating the refuge-in-the-bag concept using field populations of WCR larvae (larval movement and potential for sublethal exposure).

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Dr. Christian KrupkeAssistant Professor of Entomology
Purdue University
ckrupke@purdue.edu

Dr. Christian Krupke is an Assistant Professor of Entomology at Purdue University, with a primary responsibility in field crops extension. Dr. Krupke received his B.S. from the University of Guelph, his M.S from Simon Fraser University and his Ph.D. from Washington State University in 2004. His research program at Purdue focuses on the management of key pests of field crops, primarily corn and soybeans. His main area of focus is quantifying the effects of widespread implementation of Bt strategies for the corn rootworm complex, with particular interest in evaluating and improving resistance management strategies. He also conducts research and extension programs on several other key pests of field crops, including the western bean cutworm and the soybean aphid.