Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new study suggests broad systemic problems play a significant role in disincentivizing corn growers from planting the refuge corn needed to keep pests from becoming resistant to the insect-killing traits in Bt corn. And social science can play a role in addressing this challenge. The paper, "Moving beyond grower compliance: why Bt corn resistance management depends on system-level coordination," is published in the Journal of Economic Entomology . Insect-resistant corn, known as Bt corn, is created by genetically modifying corn seeds to produce a bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis) toxin, which kills common pests like caterpillars or beetles. To prevent these pests from evolving resistance to Bt corn, farmers are required by seed producers to plant a small area of land with "refuge" corn, which does not include the Bt toxin. However, planting refuge corn is influenced by more than individual grower choice.…