Nonetheless, it is always prudent to use products like Bt in
moderation, and only when essential, rather than as a prophylactic
application. The goal should be to wean oneself off of purchased
aids, as Bt, rather than design a system that depends intrinsically
on them. If used as a matter of routine, the structural difference
between Bt and synthetic biocides (e.g. holistic rather than linear
approaches to pest mgt) becomes semantic instead of real. Bt, or any
biocide approved for use on organic farms, should be an interim
measure used to achieve natural self-regulating "controls" on "pest"
populations - via other resident organisms.
As has been said before, pests are not born but are created by how we
manage our crops. If pest control is an ongoing problem, you may
wish to analyze how the system is opening up niches for pests to
proliferate, and then instead of buying Bt to kill them, close the
system niches to deny the pest a place to proliferate. Ann
ACLARK@plant.uoguelph.ca
Dr. E. Ann Clark
Associate Professor
Crop Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
Phone: 519-824-4120 Ext. 2508
FAX: 519 763-8933
http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/www/CRSC/faculty/eac.htm
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