Transgenic rice containing insecticidal protein(s) from Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) effectively control lepidopteran pests under laboratory and field conditions. However, Bt rice has not been widely commercialized. A major concern regarding the deployment of Bt rice is its potential impact on non-target arthropods, including herbivorous insect pests and biological control agents (predators and ...

The development of pest resistance threatens the effectiveness of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins used in transgenic and organic farming. Here, we demonstrate that (i) the major mechanism for Bt toxin resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans entails a loss of glycolipid carbohydrates; (ii) Bt toxin directly and specifically binds glycolipids; and (iii) this binding is carbohydrate-dependent and ...

Screening Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates or strains for toxicity has traditionally been performed with one bacterial isolate at a time versus a specific insect. By testing Bt strains in groups, we more rapidly identified 28 of 147 Bt isolates as toxic to either diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), or tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.). The use of freeze-dried diet and directed po...

Insect resistant Bt-maize (MON 810) expresses active Cry1Ab endotoxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Snails constitute non-target soil species potentially exposed to Bt-toxin through consumption of plant material and soil in fields where transgenic plants have been grown. We studied the effect of the Cry1Ab toxin on survival, growth and egg hatchability of the snail Cantareus aspersu...

A total of 65 Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates were subjected to analysis of genetic relationship using fAFLP (fluorescent Fragment Length Polymorphism), in order to determine the genetic diversity within a group of Bt strains. 26 strains from different subspecies were identified as it follows: 9 kindly provided by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), 9 kindly provided by the...

bacillus thuringiensis (bt) has been extensively used in biopesticidal formulations due to its safe environmental and human health records. the widespread use of bt is often challenged by production as well as formulation costs which are in direct contact with downstream processing, i.e. the separation/purification step. downstream separation/purification efficacy governs the marketability of a...

the performance and flight behavior of the potato aphid macrosiphum euphorbiae was studied on the 'superior-bt' line transgenic for the cryiiia toxin of bacillus thuringien-sis (bt), resistant to the colorado potato beetle; and non transformed 'superior' line which served as control. mortality of the treated aphids was negligible and potato lines did not affect the development time of m. euphor...