Biocontrol Science and Technology (2006) 16, 709-715

Sara Alberghini, Rachele Filippini, Alexei B. Shevelev, Andrea Squartini and Andrea Battisti (2006)
Extended plant protection by an epiphytic Pseudomonas sp. derivative carrying the cry9Aa gene from Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae against the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa
Biocontrol Science and Technology 16 (7), 709-715
Abstract: A strain of Pseudomonas sp. isolated from the phyllosphere of Pinus nigra in northern Italy was used for the introduction and high expression level of the gene encoding the Cry9Aa entomocidal toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis spp. galleriae. Laboratory tests showed that the resulting bacterial construct was more efficacious in terms of LC₅₀ when compared to the purified toxin alone, against the first instar larvae of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), suggesting that the encapsulation of the toxin within the bacterial cell may prevent the degradation of the protein. When the efficacy of the strain was compared in a long-term greenhouse experiment (102 days) with that of a commercial preparation of Btk (Foray 48B), the latter was superior in terms of total mortality, but its effectiveness decreased with time at a faster rate than that of the cry9Aa-Pseudomonas. Overall data indicate that the expression of Bt toxins in heterologous epiphytic bacteria offers potential for more efficient and persistent delivery of toxins to the target insect pests.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Andrea Battisti

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
genetical engin./transgenic plants
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Thaumetopoea pityocampa		Italy
Bacillus thuringiensis var. galleriae (entomopathogen)	Thaumetopoea pityocampa
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry9A-toxin (entomopathogen)	Thaumetopoea pityocampa