Bt toxins, and in particular 5 endotoxin Cry toxins, are the bio-insecticides of choice in the control insect pests of agriculture. The emergence of resistance to these toxins has necessitated research for alternative novel bio-insecticides. P. luminescens is an entomopathogenic bacteria symbiotically associated with Heterohabditid nematodes. These nematodes actively seek out insects in the soil. Upon invasion of the insect the nematode regurgitates P. luminescens bacteria, which in turn releases a range of virulence factors which aid in killing and bio-converting the insect host. One of the dominant toxins are high the molecular weight Toxin complexes (Tc's) which are currently under investigation as an alternatives to Bt.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:488885 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Hares, Michelle Christine |
| Publisher | University of Bath |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0016 seconds