AgroPages-USDA on YieldGard VT PRO-Agricultural news

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has recommended the deregulation of Monsanto's genetically modified insect-resistant YieldGard VT PRO (MON89034) maize. It expresses the Bt Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 toxins for the control of a range of lepidopteran pests.

Like the established YieldGard Corn Borer (MON810), YieldGard VT PRO is primarily for the control of European corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis). However, the new version provides superior control of secondary pests such as Asian corn borers (O furnicalis), south-western corn borers (Diatraea grandiosella) and fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda), Monsanto says. The presence of two Bt genes should also prove more effective in resistance management, the company adds.

YieldGard VT PRO is being evaluated under experimental use permits pending US approval. Monsanto is also developing YieldGard VT Triple PRO, which is a combination of YieldGard VT PRO and YieldGard VT Rootworm/RR2 (MON88017).

The APHIS' draft environmental assessment report on YieldGard VT PRO is open to public comment until February 11th 2008.