5.6 pest control methods

pesticides

chemicals that are toxic to pests - have many types that are specific to target pest

• rodenticides kill rodents fungicide kill fungi, etc

can cause pests to develop resistance w overuse

GMOs in crops

gene for pest-resistant trait is added through GMO

ex. bt corn w/ bacteria gene that produces Bt crystals toxic to pests

• roundup ready crops are gm resistant to broad herbicide meaning roundup will kill weeds but not crops

gmos and genetic diversity

gm crops are genetically identical. if pest/disease affect the crop, they’re all vulnerable and there’s no chance of a genetic mutation providing an adaptive trait

roundup ready crops

have increased herbicide (glyphosate) use since crops can’t be harmed by it

bt corn has decreased insecticide use since corn makes its own insecticide