April 22, 2022
Management of above and below ground pests using corn products that contain specific Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) technologies requires the use of a refuge consisting of corn products that DO NOT contain B.t. technologies. Corn products that contain refuge within the bag (RIB Complete® corn blend products) already contain the non-B.t. technology corn products mixed at the appropriate ratio in the seed bag. If RIB Complete corn blend products are not available, the producer must plant the appropriate structured refuge.
What products from Bayer require a structured refuge?
Any corn product that does not contain a RIB Complete® corn blend requires a structured refuge, including SmartStax® corn, SmartStax® PRO Technology corn, Trecepta® corn, and VT Double PRO® corn.
What is the required size of the structured refuge?
In the Corn Growing Region, SmartStax corn, SmartStax PRO Technology corn, VT Double PRO corn, and Trecepta corn all require a 5% structured refuge. This means that a non-B.t. technology corn product must be planted in a separate block and must not contain any corn products containing B.t. corn technologies. Depending on the specific B.t. technologies in the corn product, there are three options for developing a structured refuge: it can be within the field, adjacent to the field, or located within a ½ mile of the field containing the B.t. technologies (Figure 1). The ½ mile option only applies to corn products that DO NOT have rootworm protection, such as VT Double PRO corn and Trecepta corn. Products that have corn rootworm protection, such as SmartStax corn and SmartStax PRO Technology, must have their structured refuge be within or adjacent to the field (no ½ mile option).
Figure 1. In the Corn Growing Area where a structured refuge is required. The ½ mile option only applies to corn products that DO NOT have rootworm protection, such as VT Double PRO and Trecepta. Products that have CRW protection, such as SmartStax and SmartStax PRO, must have their structured refuge be within or adjacent to the field (no ½ mile option).
For example, if a 200-acre field is to be planted to SmartStax corn, SmartStax PRO Technology corn, VT Double PRO corn, or Trecepta corn product, only 190 acres of the field needs to be planted to corn products containing those technologies with 10 acres planted to a corn product that does not contain any B.t. corn technologies either within the field or within ½ mile depending on the trait package (Figure 2).
Figure 2. How to calculate a separate structured refuge.
What are the requirements for the refuge?
- Grower mixing of non-B.t. seed with B.t. corn seed is not permitted. However, non-B.t. seed can be included in an EPA approved seed blend product (e.g., RIB Complete® corn blend) if provided by a qualified seed producer/conditioner licensed by Bayer.
- Plant the structured refuge at the same time as the B.t. corn seed to help ensure that plant development is similar among products.
- To avoid inadvertent mixing of seed in the planting process, the grower must be sure to clean all seed out of hoppers when switching from non-B.t. seed to B.t. corn seed or vice versa.
- Adjacent and separate refuge fields must be planted and managed by the same grower.
- If B.t. corn seeds are planted on rotated ground, then the corn refuge can be planted on either continuous corn ground or on rotated ground.
- If B.t. corn seeds are planted on continuous corn ground, then the corn refuge also must be planted on continuous corn ground.
Can the non-B.t. technology corn refuge be protected against insect injury?
Yes, but options are dependent on what B.t. technologies are used.
For SmartStax® Corn Products
The refuge can be protected from lepidopteran (caterpillar)pests by use of non-B.t. insecticides if the population of one or more target lepidopteran pests in the refuge exceeds economic thresholds. The refuge can also be protected from corn rootworm damage by an appropriate seed treatment or soil insecticide; but insecticides labeled for adult corn rootworm control must be avoided in the refuge during the period of corn rootworm adult emergence. If insecticides are applied to the refuge for control of corn rootworm adults, the same treatment must also be applied in the same time frame to the SmartStax® corn or SmartStax PRO® Technology corn. Consult local professionals (crop consultants, extension specialists) for information on thresholds.
For Trecepta® Corn and VT Double PRO® Corn Products
The refuge can be treated with a non-B.t. foliar-applied insecticide for control of lepidopteran pests (e.g., corn borer), if pest pressure reaches an economic threshold for damage. Microbial B.t. insecticides must not be applied to the refuge corn. Consult local professionals (crop consultants, extension specialists) for information on thresholds.
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