Chapter 26, Problem 4CT

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The reason behind planting non Bt producing plants adjacent to Bt producing plants to reduce the chances of developing Bt resistance in insects.

Introduction:

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a rod-shaped bacterium that produces a different types of insecticidal proteins that are active against larvae of many insects. Once ingested by insects, the protein crystals get solublized in the midgut. This protein then gets activated by midgut proteases and creates pores in the cell membrane leading to cell disruption and finally insect death.