A refuge area is a countermeasure against pesticide resistance in agriculture.[1][2][3][4][5] In this technique two adjacent pieces of land are demarcated, and one is applied with a pesticide and one is not - the refuge.[1][2][3][4][5] Given that resistance develops concurrent with application,[1][2][3][4][5] a more complex way of dealing with the problem is needed than simply using or not using a particular pesticide. A refuge encourages the overall population to maintain a lower prevalence of resistance by segmenting them into two populations: The population receiving the pesticide and the pesticide-free population.[1][2][3][4][5] Over time the population that suffers pesticide application will evolve resistance - and more widespread resistance.[1][2][3][4][5] Meanwhile, the other will continue to be pesticide-naive.[1][2][3][4][5] However the trick here is that a larger proportion of the main population will die off - allowing the pesticide-naive genetics to more successfully reproduce within the overall area, and thus to dominate the overall population.[1][2][3][4][5]
Refugia are commonly used today[1][2][3][4][5] especially to maintain effectiveness in Bt-modified transgenic crops.[4][3][2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h Desneux, Nicolas; Fauvergue, Xavier; Dechaume-Moncharmont, FranÇois-Xavier; Kerhoas, Lucien; Ballanger, Yannick; Kaiser, Laure (2005-02-01). "Diaeretiella rapae Limits Myzus persicae Populations After Applications of Deltamethrin in Oilseed Rape". Journal of Economic Entomology. 98 (1). Oxford University Press (OUP): 9–17. doi:10.1093/jee/98.1.9. ISSN 1938-291X. PMID 15765661.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Qaim, Matin; de Janvry, Alain (2005). "Bt cotton and pesticide use in Argentina: economic and environmental effects". Environment and Development Economics. 10 (2). Cambridge University Press (CUP): 179–200. doi:10.1017/s1355770x04001883. ISSN 1355-770X. S2CID 18992457.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hurley, Terrance M.; Babcock, Bruce A.; Hellmich, Richard L. (July 2001). "BT CORN AND INSECT RESISTANCE: AN ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF REFUGES". Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 26 (1). Western Agricultural Economics Association: 176–194. doi:10.22004/ag.econ.31156. eISSN 2327-8285. ISSN 1068-5502.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Alstad, D. N.; Andow, D. A. (1995-06-30). "Managing the Evolution of Insect Resistance to Transgenic Plants". Science. 268 (5219). American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): 1894–1896. Bibcode:1995Sci...268.1894A. doi:10.1126/science.268.5219.1894. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 17797533. S2CID 32257568.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Refuges of genetic variation: controlling crop pest evolution". University of California, Berkeley Evolution. 3 September 2021.
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