ABSTRACT
To increase and/or stabilize crop yields two primary approaches have been used to decrease insect predation. The first is the development and application of ‘sprayons’, be they synthetic or natural chemicals, microbial fermentation products or living macro-organisms. The second approach is development of crop varieties with increased host plant resistance based on genetic factors found within the crop species or in closely related wild species. Today the development of genetic engineering technology has enabled the introduction of genetic material from any species into major crop plants. Genes encoding insect resistance have been introduced in several major crop species, producing dramatically enhanced insect resistance compared to what had been obtainable by conventional breeding. This book provides many excellent examples of insect controlling principles from a variety of sources and their successful introduction into the genomes of plants, many of which are important crop plants. Some of these principles have reached the marketplace in elite varieties and hybrids with superior agronomic performance. Others are still in the proof-of-concept phase.
