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Natural refuge crops, buildup of resistance, and zero-refuge strategy for Bt cotton in China

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Abstract

In the context of genetically modified crops expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin, a ‘refuge’ refers to a crop of the same or a related species that is planted nearby to enable growth and reproduction of the target pest without the selection pressure imposed by the Bt toxin. The goal of this study is to discuss the role of natural refuge crops in slowing down the buildup of resistance of cotton bollworm (CBW), and to evaluate China’s no-refuge policy for Bt cotton. We describe in detail the different factors that China should consider in relation to the refuge policy. Drawing on a review of scientific data, economic analyses of other cases, and a simulation exercise using a bio-economic model, we show that in the case of Bt cotton in China, the no-refuge policy is defensible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. China Economics and Management Academy, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, 100081, China

    FangBin Qiao

  2. Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    JiKun Huang

  3. Food Security and the Environment Program, Freeman Spogli Institute of International Studies, Stanford University, Encina Hall East, E301, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Scott Rozelle

  4. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    James Wilen

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  1. FangBin Qiao
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  4. James Wilen
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Correspondence to JiKun Huang.

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Qiao, F., Huang, J., Rozelle, S. et al. Natural refuge crops, buildup of resistance, and zero-refuge strategy for Bt cotton in China. Sci. China Life Sci. 53, 1227–1238 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-010-4076-3

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