Much of current GM technology is aimed at achieving this. With herbicide tolerant crops just one or two applications of glyphosate can often control weeds, whereas with non-GM crops repeated applications of a range of selective, narrow spectrum herbicides may be needed. Insect resistant crops can lead to significant reductions in the use of insecticides.
Corn borers enter the maize stalk and eat the plant from the inside.
To kill them conventionally can take up to six sprays. GM maize protects itself against the corn borer and usually only one application of insecticide is needed to control other pests. Increased Yields Making crops resistant to insects and diseases and reducing weeds should lead to fewer crop losses. Chemical Controls Farmers in the US report significant reductions in herbicide and insecticide usage where GM crops are grown. More than three quarters of farmers surveyed said they only had to apply glyphosate once to control weeds during the entire growing season.