Eight phages lysogenic for Bacillus thuringiensis var. galleriae which elicit the lytic response in B. thuringiensis var. subtoxicus were isolated by induction of the host strains. We have divided these phages into three groups: group I, phages GT-t to GT-5; group II, GT-6 and GT-7; group IlI, GT-8. The following properties of the phages were examined: morphology, host range, serum neutralizati...

ZwittermicinA acts synergisticallywith the insecticidal activity ofBacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstakiBerliner against gypsymoth (Lymantria dispar (L.)) larvae. The objective of this study was to assess the inßuence of insect source and diet on this synergy. Zwittermicin A increased the mortality caused by B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki in gypsy moths collected from four population sources...

Unconventional alternatives such as aerobic and anaerobic effluent from starch industry contain essential nutrients for Btk active ingredient synthesis. Effluent is rich in carbon nitrogen can replace expensive feedstock used during the fermentation process. The main objective of this study was to achieve a biopesticide formulation wastewater (SIW) with high entomotoxicity (UI/ml) larvae compar...

Abstract Background The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a serious threat to date palms across the globe, causing heavy yield losses. pest inflicts damage stem and destroys vascular system; resultantly lower vigor affect growth yield. For ecological farming system, biological control of gaining increased interest due hosts’ specificity, ...

We describe a method for maximizing the rate of conversion of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki vegetative cells to osmotically fragile forms in the absence of exogenously added enzymes. Optimal generation of autoplasts occurred in 50 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 7.0) at 37 degrees C with 10% (wt/vol) polyethylene glycol as an osmotic stabilizer. The maximum autolytic rate resulted in a co...

The first-generation transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), Bollgard, which contains a single toxin protein gene cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki Berliner, was approved by the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) for commercial growing in Pakistan in 2011 and the yield enhancement is promising, with an increase in cotton bales up to 150 millionthe record productivity of the co...

The efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (var. kurstaki) (Btk) against the diamondback moth (DBM) on cabbage was studied at Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana. Using five concentrations of Btk: 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g/L, bioassays were conducted against DBM eggs and second instar larvae at 30°C ± 5°C. Each treatment was replicated three times. Probit analysis was used to determine t...