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fore tasseling) can result in shorter plants and smaller leaf area (Denmead and Shaw, 1960; NeSmith and Rit-Seed companies have commercialized new transgenic maize (Zea chie, 1992; Abrecht and Carberry, 1993), decreased wamays L.) hybrids that are resistant to European corn borer [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hü bner)]. Drought stress may affect the expression of Bt ter use due to the reduction in plant size (Robins and proteins in maize tissues, and its resistance to European corn borerThe study was conducted at the Hinds Irrigation Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, during the summers of 1997The effect of water deficit on maize growth and develand 1998. The experimental plots were 1 m deep, 123-L plastic opment has been studied extensively. The results indicontainers filled with soil and buried with the rim at ground cate that water deficit during the vegetative period (belevel. The soil in the containers was collected from the 0.15-m upper layer of a Nicollet loam (Aquic Hapludolls).

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The potential benefits of transgenic rootworm corn (Cry3Bb1 protein) are expected to include: increased root protection; increased intangible benefits to farmers (safety of not being exposed to insecticides, ease of use and handling, time and labor savings, better pest control); increased economic benefits to farmers ($231 million from yield gains [$25-$75/acre relative to no insecticide control, $4-$12/acre relative to control with a soil insecticide] and $58 million in reduced insecticide risks and time savings); reduced incidence of corn stalk rot; and increased yield protection (9 to 28% relative to no insecticide use, 1.5 to 4.5% relative to control with a soil insecticide). If transgenic rootworm corn is planted on 10 million acres, the annual impact will be a reduction of 5,344,462 lb a.i. (75.2%) of insecticide use; increased resource conservation (3.07 to 5.23 million gal of diesel fuel equivalents conserved that would have been consumed in the manufacture and delivery of insecticides); increased water conservation (5,657,734 gal of water not used in insecticide application); conservation of aviation fuel (68,845 gal of aviation fuel not used); reduced farm waste (1,187,035 fewer insecticide containers used); increased planting efficiency; and improved safety to wildlife and other nontarget organisms. Accepted for publication 1 February 2004. Published 1 March 2004.