In March 2025, a research team led by Ye Ziwei, then an assistant professor at the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China (RUC), published a full-length research article titled "Too much of a good thing: Lessons from compromised rootworm Bt maize in the US Corn Belt" in the international top-tier journal Science. It is the first Science research article in agricultural and forestry economic management with a China-based scholar as the first author and one of the few in management science.

As a key component of new-quality agricultural productive forces, biotechnological breeding plays a vital role in ensuring food security and advancing sustainable agricultural development. In this context, effectively delaying the emergence of pest resistance has become a central challenge in the application of biotech crops.

Drawing on field trial data and micro-level farm household survey data from 10 US Corn Belt states between 2005 and 2016, Ye's team constructed an interdisciplinary bioeconomic model and conducted the first large-scale empirical economic evaluation of resistance management in genetically engineered insect-resistant maize (Bt-CR maize).

The study confirms the existence of over-planting of Bt-CR maize in the eastern US Corn Belt and identifies structural characteristics of the seed market as a key contributing factor. Under the oligopolistic structure of the US corn seed market, seed companies seeking to maximize profits often bundle elite germplasm with multiple traits, while high-quality varieties without the Bt-CR trait remain limited. This constrains farmers' choices, increases Bt-CR maize, accelerates pest resistance and leads to long-term economic losses.

The research reflects a productive collaboration between entomologists and economists, as well as a cross-border and cross-regional collaboration driven by shared academic interests. During her doctoral studies at Michigan State University, Ye began focusing on the economic, environmental and policy dimensions of biotech maize. While researching the use of herbicides associated with herbicide-tolerant maize, she established contact with Professor Christian Krupke, an entomologist at Purdue University, and subsequently initiated collaborative research on Bt-CR maize. In Ye's view, this interdisciplinary and international collaboration demonstrates that addressing the ongoing "conflict" between humans and nature requires not only scientific experimentation in laboratories and fields, but also system-level institutional design and strategic policymaking.

Alongside this major research achievement, Ye reached a significant milestone in her academic career. At 29, less than three years after completing her PhD and joining RUC, she was promoted from assistant professor to professor through the university's strategic talent title evaluation and nomination system. This promotion pathway reflects RUC's commitment to faculty evaluation reform and talent development, providing young scholars with diverse and flexible career advancement tracks. By valuing and empowering talent, RUC ensures that young scholars receive sustained respect, support and growth opportunities during their most creative and productive years.

Article link: 

Too much of a good thing: Lessons from compromised rootworm Bt maize in the US Corn Belt