Key factors limiting sustainable insect pest management in soybeans

M. E. O'Neal, Iowa State University, USA and R. Cox, EarthEmpower Consulting and Investment, Mexico

Chapter synopsis: If sustainability implies the preservation of resources for future generations, then pest management tools, like insecticides and insect-resistant varieties, can be considered resources that should be preserved for future generations. Overuse of these tools can result in resistance such that their ability to prevent yield loss is lost. This chapter offers an overview of the relationship between sustainable crop production and integrated pest management before focusing on the challenge of invasive species in soybean cultivation. The chapter examines the application of insect resistance management, especially to Bt-soybeans, and includes two detailed case studies taken from two of the leading soybean production regions of the world, the United States and Brazil. The chapter looks ahead to future trends in this area and offers detailed guidance on further reading about this subject.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0034.19