Bug pest hits GM cotton

Integrated Pest Management

New Scientist (29 July) page 5, reported that China now has a problem with mirid (bug) pests in genetically modified cotton. There are previous studies in Australia reporting that salt (NaCl) can be used to improve bug control. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125623.300.html

Salt mixtures for mirid management
By Moazzem Khan
Australian CottonGrower Vol 24, No 3, page 10 (2003)
http://www.greenmountpress.com.au/cottongrower/issues/243jjcot03/243mirid.htm
e.g. see 11th Australian Cotton Conference Proceedings 2002, p.401
The Cotton Research and Development Corporation funded this project (DAQ 110C)

Green and brown mirids have become important mid to late season sucking pests in cotton — particularly Ingard cotton —causing considerable damage (see The Australian Cottongrower July–August 2001, p.6)