Potential Impact of Biotech Sweet Corn (MON 89034 x MON 88017) On Pest Management In the Southern US

VT Triple PRO sweet corn from Monsanto (MON 89034 x MON 88017) provides economic and environmental benefits through resistance to multiple Lepidopteran pests and Western and Northern corn rootworms, as well as tolerance to the glyphosate family of herbicides. The objectives of the study was to assess the performance advantages (Lepidoptera control) of VT Triple PRO™ sweet corn hybrids compared to conventional, equivalent hybrids during spring and fall production for the fresh market, and to measure yield protection by MON 89034 x MON 88017 against Lepidopteran pests under different insecticide programs. Trials resulted in less than 3% ear damage by fall armyworm and/or earworm on VT Triple PRO sweet corn, suggesting that insecticide sprays can be significantly reduced when producing sweet corn with VT Triple PRO versus conventional systems.