Sanahuja, Georgina, Banakar, Raviraj, Twyman, Richard M., Capell, Teresa and Christou, Paul. (2011) Bacillus thuringiensis : a century of research, development and commercial applications. Plant Biotechnology Journal, Vol.9 (No.3). pp. 283-300. ISSN 14677644

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Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil bacterium that forms spores during the stationary phase of its growth cycle. The spores contain crystals, predominantly comprising one or more Cry and/or Cyt proteins (also known as δ-endotoxins) that have potent and specific insecticidal activity. Different strains of Bt produce different types of toxin, each of which affects a narrow taxonomic group of insects. Therefore, Bt toxins have been used as topical pesticides to protect crops, and more recently the proteins have been expressed in transgenic plants to confer inherent pest resistance. Bt transgenic crops have been overwhelmingly successful and beneficial, leading to higher yields and reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fossil fuels. However, their deployment has attracted some criticism particularly with regard to the potential evolution of pest-resistant insect strains. Here, we review recent progress in the development of Bt technology and the countermeasures that have been introduced to prevent the evolution of resistant insect populations.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QR Microbiology S Agriculture > SB Plant culture
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) > Biological Sciences ( -2010)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Bacillus thuringiensis, Pesticides, Transgenic plants, Plants -- Disease and pest resistance
Journal or Publication Title:	Plant Biotechnology Journal
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:	14677644
Date:	25 February 2011
Volume:	Vol.9
Number:	No.3
Page Range:	pp. 283-300
Identification Number:	10.1111/j.1467-7652.2011.00595.x
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	European Research Council (ERC), Spain. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), COST Action FA0804, Associated Unit CAVA, Seventh Framework Programme (European Commission) (FP7/2007-2013)
Grant number:	BFU2007-61413 (MICINN)
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/38371

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