Research Article
Wagner Justiniano; Marcos Gino
Abstract
The soybean agroecosystem consists of numerous insect pest species that when unmanaged can cause losses and reduction in productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the event MON 87701 x MON89788 on management of the target caterpillars Anticarsia gemmatalis, Chrysodeixis includens and the complex of phytophagous stinkbugs and predatory by the technology Intacta RR2 PRO® (Soy Bt). The experiment was conducted in the agricultural year of 2011/2012, with four treatments in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. A. gemmatalis and C. includens, both target of Bt technology, were effectively controlled in the field by Intacta RR2 PRO® soybeans expressing the toxin Cry 1AC, reducing number of insecticide applications needed for control. The use of Bt soybeans resulted in no statistical differences in the number and incidence of non-target pests, including the stink bug complex, and significantly favored the population of beneficial arthropods.