Increased toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa against Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata,Phaedon brassicae and Colaphellus bowringi by a Tenebrio molitor cadherin fragment

BACKGROUND: Biopesticides containing Cry insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are effective against many lepidopteran pests, but there is a lack of Bt‐based pesticides for efficient control of important coleopteran pests. Based on the reported increase in Bt toxin oligomerization by a polypeptide from the Cry3Aa receptor cadherin in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), it was hypothesized that this cadherin peptide, rTmCad1p, would enhance Cry3Aa toxicity towards coleopteran larvae. To test this hypothesis, the relative toxicity of Cry3Aa, with or without rTmCad1p, against damaging chrysomelid vegetable pests of China was evaluated. RESULTS: Cry3Aa toxicity was evaluated in the spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata), cabbage leaf beetle (Colaphellus bowringi) and daikon leaf beetle (Phaedon brassicae). To assess the effect of rTmCad1p on Cry3Aa toxicity, neonate larvae were fed Cry3Aa toxin alone or in combination with increasing amounts of rTmCad1p. The data demonstrated that Cry3Aa toxicity was significantly increased in all three vegetable pests, resulting in as much as a 15.3‐fold increase in larval mortality. CONCLUSION: The application of rTmCad1p to enhance Cry3Aa insecticidal activity has potential for use in increasing range and activity levels against coleopteran pests displaying low susceptibility to Bt‐based biopesticides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Impact of Cry3Bb1-expressing Bt maize on adults of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

BACKGROUND: Genetically engineered maize producing insecticidal Cry3Bb1 protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is protected from root damage by corn rootworm larvae. An examination was made to establish whether western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) adults are affected by Cry3Bb1‐expressing maize (MON88017) when feeding on above‐ground tissue. RESULTS: In laboratory bioassays, adult D. v. virgifera were fed for 7 weeks with silk, leaves or pollen from Bt maize or the corresponding near‐isoline. Male, but not female, survival was reduced in the Bt‐leaf treatment compared with the control. Female weight was lower when fed Bt maize, and egg production was reduced in the Bt‐silk treatment. ELISA measurements demonstrated that beetles feeding on silk were exposed to higher Cry3Bb1 concentrations than beetles collected from Bt‐maize fields in the United States. In contrast to silk and pollen, feeding on leaves resulted in high mortality and low fecundity. Females feeding on pollen produced more eggs than on silk. C:N ratios indicated that silk does not provide enough nitrogen for optimal egg production. CONCLUSIONS: Direct effects of Cry3Bb1 on adult beetles could explain the observed effects, but varietal differences between Bt and control maize are also possible. The impact of Bt maize on adult populations, however, is likely to be limited. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Differing susceptibility to<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> formulations of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni</Emphasis> populations between forests with different<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bt</Emphasis> management in Israel

The susceptibility ofThaumetopoea wilkinsoni larvae toBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) formulations was screened in 2003 and 2004. Eggs and larvae were collected from pine forests in 11 geographical locations in Israel. Larval mortality bioassays were conducted with commercial formulations (Delfin WG, Dipel DF and Foray 48B) at concentrations ranging from 0.001% to 0.1%. Significant differences in susceptibility toBt were recorded among populations that were treated withBt intensively, frequently, or never. The mortality recorded in a population that was never treated withBt was twice that in an intensivelyBt-treated population. The correlation between susceptibility toBt and the possible resistance to the microbe is discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 31, 2007.     

转cry1Ab/cry2Aj、cry1Ab/vip3DA玉米对棉铃虫、甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾的抗虫性评价

为评估转cry1Ab/cry2Aj、cry1Ab/vip3DA玉米对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)、甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)和斜纹夜蛾Prodenia litura(Fabricius)的抗虫性,在室内测定了3个转cry1Ab/cry2Aj玉米品系和1个转cry1Ab/vip3DA玉米品系对3种害虫幼虫存活和生长发育的影响,研究了该系列Bt玉米不同组织器官对害虫的杀虫活性和控制效果。结果显示,棉铃虫初孵幼虫取食各品系Bt玉米叶片96h后死亡率为87.50%~90.00%,取食花丝和雌穗的幼虫96h后几乎全部死亡;甜菜夜蛾初孵幼虫取食各品系Bt玉米叶片、花丝和雌穗168h后死亡率为22.50%~68.33%,幼虫的生长发育受到明显抑制,体重抑制率达85.00%~95.00%;斜纹夜蛾初孵幼虫取食各品系Bt玉米叶片、花丝和雌穗96 h后死亡率显著高于非转基因亲本对照,168h后幼虫死亡率达90.00%以上。研究表明,转cry1Ab/cry2Aj和cry1Ab/vip3DA玉米品系对棉铃虫和斜纹夜蛾的初孵幼虫表现出较好的抗性,可以作为转多基因抗虫玉米育种的备选材料。     

Milling effect on the control efficacy of spray-dried Bacillus thuringiensis technical powder against diamondback moths

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the particle size of spray‐dried Bacillus thuringiensis NT0423 technical powder and its insecticidal activity against diamondback moth was investigated in laboratory and glasshouse conditions. A variety of sizes of Bt particles were made by homogenisation, followed by pilot‐scale milling to optimise further the current Bt formulation process. RESULTS: In laboratory conditions, homogenised Bt suspension with smaller particles had higher control efficacy against diamondback moth. However, in glasshouse conditions, the smallest particle treatment did not follow the size‐dependent insecticidal activity, rather showing decreased control efficacy. Secondly, air‐jet‐milled Bt powder (16.9 µm) had higher control efficacy than hammer‐milled Bt powder (35.1 µm) in glasshouse conditions. However, double air‐jet milling (5.3 µm) had lower control efficacy compared with one‐time milling. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that NT0423 technical powder with smaller particles is better in controlling diamondback moths, but excessively small particles (<10 µm) possibly reduce the insecticidal activity. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Interaction of proteinase inhibitors with Cry1Ac toxicity and the presence of 15 chymotrypsin cDNAs in the midgut of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

BACKGROUND: The potential development of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton and surging of non‐targeted insects is a major risk in the durability of Bt plant technology. Midgut proteinases are involved in Bt activation and degradation. Proteinase inhibitors may be used to control a wide range of insects and delay Bt resistance development. Proactive action to examine proteinase inhibitors for synergistic interaction with Bt toxin and cloning of proteinase cDNAs for RNAi is necessary to make transgenic cotton more versatile and durable. RESULTS: A sublethal dose (15 ppb) of Cry1Ac, 0.5% benzamidine and 0.02% phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride significantly suppressed midgut azocaseinase, tryptic and chymotryptic activities, and resulted in reductions in larval and pupal length and mass of Heliothis virescens. The combination of proteinase inhibitor and Bt suppressed 20–37% more larval body mass and 26–80% more enzymatic activities than the inhibitor only or Bt only. To facilitate knockdown‐resistance‐related proteinase genes, 15 midgut chymotrypsin cDNAs were sequenced. Most predicted chymotrypsins contained the conserved N‐termini IVGG, three catalytic center residues (His, Asp and Ser), substrate specificity determinant (Ser or Gly) and cysteines for disulfide bridges. These putative chymotrypsins were separated into three distinct groups, indicating the diverse proteinases evolved in this polyphagous insect. CONCLUSION: H. virescens has evolved diverse midgut proteinase genes. Proteinase inhibitors have potential insecticidal activity, and the interaction of Bt with proteinase inhibitors is desirable for enhancing Bt toxicity and delaying resistance development. Intensive sequencing of chymotrypsin cDNAs will facilitate future functional examinations of individual roles in Bt toxicity and resistance development and facilitate targeted control using RNAi and/or proteinase inhibitors. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

嗜线虫致病杆菌对小菜蛾的致死和亚致死效应室内评价

嗜线虫致病杆菌是与昆虫病原线虫共生的细菌,对小菜蛾等多种害虫具有广谱的杀虫活性。为了深入了解该菌的杀虫活性,在室内测定了嗜线虫致病杆菌HB310 ( 简称 Xn HB310)菌株对小菜蛾幼虫的致死和亚致死效应以及持效期。结果表明, Xn HB310菌液对小菜蛾2龄和3龄幼虫72 h的LC50值分别是3.32×104 和8.56×104 CFU/mL,其活性组分主要存在于菌株细胞和经50 kDa超滤膜超滤后的上清液中。此外, Xn HB310菌液对小菜蛾幼虫还表现出明显的拒食活性,其2龄和3龄幼虫的拒食中浓度(AFC50)分别为4.03×105和8.48×105 CFU/mL。将2.24×106 CFU/mL菌液喷施到甘蓝苗上,其在室内的持效期为3~4 d。用亚致死剂量(LC30和LC50)的菌液饲喂小菜蛾2龄幼虫,存活幼虫的生长发育指标、蛹重、雌虫寿命以及成虫产卵量均明显下降,推测这可能导致小菜蛾下一代种群数量减少。研究结果表明,嗜线虫致病杆菌HB310菌株具有开发成为杀虫剂的潜力。     

Greenhouse trials of newBacillus thuringiensis isolates for control ofChilo partellus larvae in sorghum

Eight newBacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) isolates originally recovered from different source materials and geographic locations in Kenya were tested againstChilo partellus (Swinhoe) on sorghum grown in a greenhouse. All isolates had been demonstrated previously to be toxic to this pest.Bt strains were cultured in a liquid growth medium and preserved as powders for experimental application. Three-week-old sorghum plants (4-6 leaves) were artificially infested with 20 neonateC. partellus and sprayed 24 h later withBt suspensions. Non-infested sorghum and infested non-treated sorghum served as the comparative checks within each experimental trial. Plant development and dead-heart formation were monitored up to harvest; at harvest, grain yield was recorded. In each replicate trial, all of theBt strains tested reduced plant damage consistently, compared with the infested, non-treated checks. Dead-heart formation was significantly reduced and grain yields were significantly higher. Three novel isolates, A-3, A-C-2 and M44-2, provided superior levels of protection throughout. Statistically, there was no difference among these threeBt treatments and the non-infested check in terms of the number of dead-hearts (i.e., non-yielding plants) that formed during the course of the experiment. In the infested, non-treated check plots, dead-hearts developed in 74.5±10.0% of the plants, compared with only 3.1±1.2% of the non-infested plants, and 3.1 ±1.5%, 6.2±2.0% and 6.2±2.0% of the plants treated with M44-2, A-3 and A-C-2, respectively. At harvest, the weight of grain obtained from the non-infested control plots was considered to be 100% of the potential yield for each experimental replicate. In the infested, non-treated controls, only 14±5.6% of the potential yield was realized. When isolates M44-2, A-3 and A-C-2 were applied, proportionate yields of 83±5.4%, 93±2.3% and 98±1.2%, respectively, were obtained. Results showed that theBt strains selected may have a strategic role to play in the management ofC. partellus, providing applications are timed to target young larvae feeding in the leaf whorl.     

Characterisation and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from hazelnut pests and fields

BACKGROUND: In order to find and identify more toxic insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) strains, a survey was carried out of B. thuringiensis isolate pests belonging to Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera and from soils in hazelnut fields. Of 16 isolates having Bacillus cereus‐B. thuringiensis morphology, eight were classified as B. thuringiensis because of the production of parasporal δ‐endotoxin crystals. RESULTS: In this study, eight isolates of B. thuringiensis from hazelnut pests (isolates Bn1, Mm2, Mnd and Xd3) and from hazelnut soils (isolates 6, 27, 40 and 46) have been characterised in detail. These isolates were compared with reference strains by electron microscopy, SDS‐PAGE analysis, cry gene content, serological test and insecticidal activity. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that Bn1 and MnD are B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, and Mm2 and Xd3 are B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis. In addition, isolate 6 is B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, isolates 27 and 46 are B. thuringiensis subsp. kumamotoensis and isolate 40 is B. thuringiensis subsp. indiana. The four B. thuringiensis isolates from hazelnut pests may be valuable as biological control agents against coleopteran and lepidopteran insects. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development and characterisation of transgenic rice expressing two Bacillus thuringiensis genes

BACKGROUND: Transgenic crops that produce insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) were first commercialised in 1996. The risk that pests have the potential to evolve resistance to Bt toxins is one of the most serious challenges to this technology. Gene stacking, pyramiding two Bt genes into one variety, is considered to be an effective insect resistance management (IRM) strategy. In this study, insect‐resistant rice expressing two Bt genes was developed by sexual crossing, and then characterised. RESULTS: Homozygous rice lines of two pyramided Bt genes were obtained in the F₃ generation. Quantification of Bt toxin showed that protein concentrations of Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac and Cry2A in the two‐gene lines were comparable with their single‐gene parents, while the expression of cry1C gene decreased after gene stacking. Four two‐gene lines showed higher activity to striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker) than parental lines in the laboratory bioassay. All pyramided lines and their hybrids exhibited excellent efficacy against stemborers and leaffolders in field evaluation, while most pyramided lines had no significant differences from original variety in yield under spraying of insecticide. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the two‐gene lines have commercial potential and could serve as a valuable IRM strategy. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

对大黑鳃金龟甲幼虫高效的苏云金芽胞杆菌筛选及cry基因鉴定

为获得对大黑鳃金龟甲幼虫具有较高杀虫活性的菌株,利用拌土法测定了本实验室分离的500株苏云金芽胞杆菌(Bacillus thuringiensis,Bt)对大黑鳃金龟甲的杀虫活性,建立Bt菌株比较鉴别技术来进行多样性分析,并对菌株的晶体形态及幼虫感染Bt后的中肠组织切片进行观察。结果显示,从500株Bt菌株中筛选到42株对大黑鳃金龟甲幼虫具有不同程度活性的菌株,分属于14个菌株类型;其中有10株校正死亡率大于60%,261-1菌株杀虫活性最高,7 d校正死亡率达100%。从14个菌株类型中各选取1个代表菌株进行基因鉴定,仅P65-1、1126-1、FCD114和78-2菌株分别含有cry8Ma、cry8Ca、cry8Ab、cry8Ga、cry8Ea共5个cry8类新基因,其它10个菌株均不含cry3、cry8、cry18、cry23、cry37、cry43等对鞘翅目害虫有效的杀虫基因。14个菌株中,78-3、127-2和1198-1菌株能产生双锥体型晶体,261-1、FCD114、P65-1、FTL84、78-2和1126-1菌株能产生球形晶体。幼虫感染261-1、1198-1、FCD114、1126-1、QDL40-2菌株后,中肠组织发生明显的病理变化:2 d时肠壁细胞明显出现空洞化,排列疏松,4 d时受到严重破坏并脱离底膜。表明筛选到的Bt菌株具有防治大黑鳃金龟甲幼虫的潜力。     

Effects of cultural conditions on fungal biomass,blastospore yields and toxicity of fungal secreted proteins in batch cultures of Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Hypocreales)

BACKGROUND: Recently, two fungal proteins with apparent molecular masses of 11 and 15 kDa and insecticidal activity against Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) have been purified from the crude soluble protein extract (CSPE) secreted by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin (strain EAMa 01/58‐Su) in Adamek's liquid medium. The feasibility of culturing this strain in fermentation facilities in order to harvest and formulate the insecticidal proteins for C. capitata control is mainly dependent on the ability to produce high concentrations of the active proteins at a reasonable cost. RESULTS: These studies report that, in batch cultures of EAMa 01/58‐Su strain, the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) ratios and sources are important considerations with respect to fungal biomass production, blastospore yield and secretion of insecticidal proteins against C. capitata adults. The data indicate that the type and concentration of N source in the medium influence the production of insecticidal protein and thus the toxicity of the CSPEs. The electrophoretic analysis suggests that the monomer of 11 kDa plays an important role in the insecticidal effect described. Concerning biomass production, no clear differences were found between media with different C and N sources and C:N ratios in total biomass production at day 7. Conversely, important differences were found among the media in terms of blastospore yields. CONCLUSIONS: By optimising the culture media, the insecticidal effect of the CSPE against C. capitata can be improved. In the CSPE from G₄₀:P₂₀ (40 g L^?1 glucose and 20 g L^?1 peptone in dH₂O), the LC₅₀ and the LT₅₀ were 7 and 4.5 times lower than in the CSPE obtained from Adamek. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Recovery of solubilized δ‐endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki fermentation broth

Insecticidal δ‐endotoxin proteins, degraded from parasporal crystals by protease, were recovered by a simple procedure using heat treatment, solubilization, and ultrafiltration of a fermentation broth of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki HD‐1. A 68 kDa insecticidal protein was obtained and characterized by SDS‐PAGE. The procedure described gave a nearly quantitative recovery of toxicity. Furthermore, bioassay results on larvae of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) showed that the 68 kDa δ‐endotoxin fraction (P1) was the principal insecticidal component to this target insect. A similar molecular mass polypeptide P2 (65 kDa) which was solubilized together with P1 from the parasporal crystals, gave relatively low mortality. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

荧光增白剂对Cry1Ac抗感棉铃虫围食膜的影响及增效作用

为了提高Bt的杀虫活性,运用扫描电镜、SDS-PAGE电泳和生物测定技术,研究了荧光增白剂FB28对棉铃虫Cry1Ac抗性和敏感品系围食膜的影响及对Cry1Ac杀虫蛋白的增效作用。结果表明,正常棉铃虫围食膜表面光滑致密,没有空洞和缝隙。用含1%FB28的人工饲料饲喂刚蜕皮的5龄棉铃虫幼虫2 h后,抗感棉铃虫围食膜表面均出现许多空洞,且敏感棉铃虫的空洞明显大于抗性棉铃虫;随着处理时间的延长,围食膜上的空洞逐渐变小,13 h后恢复正常。用1%FB28离体或活体处理抗、感品系棉铃虫,均可造成围食膜蛋白被降解。用1%FB28与Cry1Ac杀虫蛋白混合饲喂抗、感棉铃虫初孵幼虫,可明显提高棉铃虫的死亡率,且对抗性品系的增效作用明显大于敏感品系,对敏感和抗性品系棉铃虫的增效比分别为2.23和9.34;1%FB28还可以明显增加对抗、感品系3龄棉铃虫幼虫的生长抑制作用。     

棉铃虫ABCA2作为Cry2Ab受体的功能分析

为明确棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera ATP结合盒转运蛋白家族A蛋白亚家族2（ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily A member 2,ABCA2）在Cry2Ab杀虫机制中的作用,利用酵母双杂交技术研究棉铃虫ABCA2与Cry2Ab的结合特性,并利用RNA干涉（dsRNA和siRNA）降低ABCA2在细胞和幼虫中的表达,结合细胞毒理学试验分析ABCA2的功能。结果表明,棉铃虫ABCA2能与Cry2Ab特异性结合;棉铃虫的ABCA2序列与美洲棉铃虫H.zea相关序列的相似度为92.86%,利用dsRNA干涉美洲棉铃虫中肠细胞ABCA2的表达能显著降低Cry2Ab对中肠细胞的毒力;利用siRNA干涉技术降低ABCA2在棉铃虫幼虫活体中的表达也显著降低了Cry2Ab对幼虫的毒力。表明棉铃虫ABCA2不仅是Cry2Ab的特异性结合蛋白,而且参与Cry2Ab的杀虫过程,是Cry2Ab的一个重要功能受体。     

Bt maize and integrated pest management ‐ a European perspective

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), the Mediterranean corn borer (Sesamia nonagrioides) and the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) are the main arthropod pests in European maize production. Practised pest control includes chemical control, biological control and cultural control such as ploughing and crop rotation. A pest control option that is available since 1996 is maize varieties that are genetically engineered (GE) to produce insecticidal compounds. GE maize varieties available today express one or several genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that target corn borers or corn rootworms. Incentives to growing Bt maize are simplified farm operations, high pest control efficiency, improved grain quality and ecological benefits. Limitations include the risk of resistance evolution in target pest populations, risk of secondary pest outbreaks and increased administration to comply with licence agreements. Growers willing to plant Bt maize in the European Union (EU) often face the problem that authorisation is denied. Only one Bt maize transformation event (MON810) is currently authorised for commercial cultivation, and some national authorities have banned cultivation. Spain is the only EU member state where Bt maize adoption levels are currently delivering farm income gains near full potential levels. In an integrated pest management (IPM) context, Bt maize can be regarded as a preventive (host plant resistance) or a responsive pest control measure. In any case, Bt maize is a highly specific tool that efficiently controls the main pests and allows combination with other preventive or responsive measures to solve other agricultural problems including those with secondary pests. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Host resistance mediated inter-genotype competition and temporal variation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium oxysporum</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">vasinfectum</Emphasis>

Temporal variation in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) populations was determined by comparing the genetic diversity of pathogen isolates recovered from three consecutive cotton crops (2002, 2004 and 2006) in the Boggabilla area of New South Wales, Australia. A total of 288 isolates were collected, among which 25 distinct AFLP genotypes were identified. These genotypes were classified into two main groups corresponding to known vegetative compatibility groups (VCG)—01111 and 01112. The Fov populations were dominated by four genotypes (I-A, I-B, II-A, II-B) that accounted for 87.5% of the isolates. Significant temporal variation was observed in both sampled fields with 6.8% and 10.7% of total genetic variation being attributed to differences among collections in different years. Genetic diversity based on Nei’s gene diversity and the Shannon-Wiener index increased over time. Significant changes in the frequency of the dominant Fov genotypes were observed in one field, where genotype I-A declined from 84.8% to 40.0% over the study period (2002–2006), while genotype I-B increased from 7.6% to 35.4%. Strong inter-genotype competition was detected in glasshouse bioassays with 93.4% of symptomatic plants sampled from dual inoculation trials being infected by single genotypes. Competition was differentially mediated by cotton cultivars as the competitive ability of pathogen genotype I-B was enhanced on the resistant cultivar Sicot 189 relative to the susceptible cultivar Siokra 1–4. This suggests that host-mediated inter-genotype competition may play an important role in temporal variation in Fov populations in the field.     

Insecticidal activity of scorpion toxin (ButaIT) and snowdrop lectin (GNA) containing fusion proteins towards pest species of different orders

BACKGROUND: The toxicity of a fusion protein, ButalT/GNA, comprising a venom toxin (ButaIT) derived from the red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus (F.), and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), was evaluated under laboratory conditions against several pest insects. Insecticidal activity was compared with SFI1/GNA, a fusion comprising a venom toxin (SFI1) derived from the European spider Segestria florentina (Rossi) and GNA, which has been previously demonstrated to be effective against lepidopteran and hemipteran pests, and to GNA itself. RESULTS: Injection assays demonstrated that both fusion proteins were toxic to lepidopteran larvae, dipteran adults, coleopteran adults and larvae and dictyopteran nymphs. ButalT/GNA was more toxic than SFI1/GNA in all cases. GNA itself made a minor contribution to toxicity. Oral toxicity of ButalT/GNA towards lepidopteran pests was confirmed against neonate Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), where incorporation at 2% dietary protein resulted in 50% mortality and > 85% reduction in growth compared with controls. ButaIT/GNA was orally toxic to Musca domestica L. adults, causing 75% mortality at 1 mg mL^?1 in aqueous diets and, at 2 mg g^?1 it was orally toxic to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), causing 60% mortality and a 90% reduction in growth. CONCLUSIONS: Toxicity of the ButaIT/GNA recombinant fusion protein towards a range of insect pests from different orders was demonstrated by injection bioassays. Feeding bioassays demonstrated the potential use of the ButaIT/GNA fusion protein as an orally active insecticide against lepidopteran, dipteran and coleopteran pests. These experiments provide further evidence that the development of fusion protein technology for the generation of new, biorational, anti‐insect molecules holds significant promise. © Crown Copyright 2009. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

F2 screening for resistance to pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis maize in Louisiana and Mississippi populations of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

BACKGROUND: In the mid‐southern region of the United States, sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is a major target pest of transgenic maize expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins. Novel transgenic maize technologies containing two or more pyramided Bt genes for controlling lepidopteran pests have recently become commercially available. Insect resistance management (IRM) is an important issue in the sustainable use of Bt crop technologies. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of resistance alleles in field populations of D. saccharalis to the new pyramided Bt maize technologies. RESULTS: A total of 382 F₂ family lines derived from 735 feral larvae/pupae of D. saccharalis collected from six locations in Louisiana and Mississippi during 2008 and 2009 were screened for resistance to three new Bt maize technologies: MON 89034, Genuity? VT Triple Pro? and SmartStax?. None of the 382 F₂ isoline families survived on the Bt maize leaf tissue for ≥ 12 days in the F₂ screen. The joint frequency for two‐ or three‐gene resistance models with 95% probability in these populations was estimated to be < 0.0063 to MON 89034 and < 0.003 to VT Triple Pro? and SmartStax?. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the resistance allele frequency in D. saccharalis to the three pyramided Bt maize technologies is low in the mid‐southern region of the United States, which should meet the rare resistance assumption of the currently used IRM strategy for Bt maize. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

转Bt基因抗虫棉对根际土壤Bt蛋白 残留和速效养分含量的影响

以4个品种转Bt基因抗虫棉及其对照常规棉为研究对象,采用ELISA试剂盒法检测其在不同生育期根际土壤Bt蛋白残留,同时比较速效养分含量的变化。结果表明：（1）棉花根际土壤中Bt蛋白的残留量在蕾期达到最大;在整个生育期4个品种转基因抗虫棉根际土壤中Bt蛋白的含量均显著高于对照常规棉（P＜0.05）,其中鲁棉研28号在蕾期显著高于对照常规棉1 029.66%,鲁棉研36号在蕾期显著高于对照常规棉2 573.45%,山农棉8号在苗期显著高于对照常规棉1 208.89%,鑫秋4号在花铃期显著高于对照常规棉793.18%。（2）棉花根际土壤中硝态氮含量在苗期最高,吐絮期最低,且在部分生育期转基因抗虫棉与对照常规棉差异显著;铵态氮含量在苗期最高,吐絮期最低,4个品种转基因抗虫棉在蕾期、花铃期均与对照常规棉差异显著;速效磷含量在苗期最低,吐絮期最高,其中鲁棉研28号在蕾期显著高于对照常规棉10.29%,鲁棉研36号在苗期显著高于对照常规棉6.77%。研究表明,转基因抗虫棉的种植和生育期是影响棉花根际Bt蛋白残留量、速效养分含量的主要因子。