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Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins against cocoa pod borer larvae
Author(s) -
Santoso Djoko,
Chaidamsari Tetty,
Wiryadiputra Soekadar,
de Maagd Ruud A
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.927
Subject(s) - bacillus thuringiensis , bioassay , biology , pest analysis , point of delivery , larva , biopesticide , insect , botany , pest control , biological pest control , lepidoptera genitalia , toxicology , horticulture , agronomy , pesticide , ecology , bacteria , genetics
Twelve Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner were tested in bioassays on cacao plantations in Indonesia for activity against the larvae of cocoa pod borer ( Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen)), an insect pest of the cacao tree. Through the damage caused by their feeding, the larvae of cocoa pod borer cause the pods of the cocoa tree to ripen prematurely. They are difficult to control with conventional measures. Preliminary assays identified five toxins that were more active than others. In two subsequent bioassays the activity of selected toxins was determined more accurately. Three Cry1 proteins with relatively little homology were all found to be toxic, opening perspectives for controlling cocoa pod borer by expression of Cry proteins in transgenic plants. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry