GMO Corn: No Longer Effective?

Maize diversity (Photo credit: CIMMYT)

Corn is one of the most popular foods in North America, and one of the most common ingredients in foods. It’s subsidized and very inexpensive, and many people even grow it in their home gardens. Corn is also one of the most heavily genetically-modified foods on the planet.  However,  some research is showing that genetically modified, pest-resistant corn is actually losing its potency and is no longer able to fight common agricultural insects.

Pest-Resistant Corn: No Longer Effective?

According to farm groups in Brazil, some genetically modified organism corn seeds, or GMO seeds, are not as pest-resistant as they once were. In fact,  the most common corn pest, the caterpillar, is supposed to die upon eating even a sliver of GMO corn, but no longer does so. As a result, many farmers are turning back to traditional pesticides as a means of fighting common corn pests.

Controlling Corn Pests in the Home Garden

Farmers who operate large-scale and even small-scale farms must fight against pests, including caterpillars, and pesticides may deter these creatures. Many worry about pesticide contact with food, but low-dose pesticides may safely be used around the base of some plants. Gardeners who are growing corn in their garden this year may wish not only to use GMO seeds, but also to contact a professional pest control company. Individuals who are seeking organic ways to control pests may also wish to contact a pest control company to discover natural insecticides and other organic methods of protecting corn crops.

In addition to seeking out appropriate advice from a pest control service, it may also be helpful to implement crop rotation and beneficial insects into one’s garden.