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Biotechnological improvement of Bacillus thuringiensis for agricultural control of insect pests: benefits and ecological implications

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Book cover Entomopathogenic Bacteria: from Laboratory to Field Application

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains and toxins are highly diverse. Our understanding of their regulation and the development of efficient host-vector systems has made possible to overcome a number of the problems associated with Bt-based insect control measures. Recombinant DNA technology has been used to develop new Bt strains for more effective pest control in various crops. Bt insecticidal toxin genes have also been introduced into bacteria that colonise plants and inserted directly into plants to make them resistant to specific insect pests. This article presents an overview of the principal approaches used to improve Bt and describes the achievements of biotechnology and the prospects for future improvement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité de Biochimie Microbienne, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France

    Vincent Sanchis

  2. Station de Recherches de Lutte Biologique, INRA, La Minière, 78285, Guyancourt Cedex, France

    Vincent Sanchis

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  1. Vincent Sanchis
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Pasteur, Paris, France

    Jean-François Charles , Armelle Delécluse  & Christina Nielsen-Le Roux ,  & 

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Sanchis, V. (2000). Biotechnological improvement of Bacillus thuringiensis for agricultural control of insect pests: benefits and ecological implications. In: Charles, JF., Delécluse, A., Roux, C.NL. (eds) Entomopathogenic Bacteria: from Laboratory to Field Application. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1429-7_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1429-7_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5542-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1429-7

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