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Characterization of native Bacillus thuringiensis strains and selection of an isolate active against Spodoptera frugiperda and Peridroma saucia

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Abstract

Twelve Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains, isolated from larvae and soil samples in Argentina, were molecularly and phenotypically characterized and their insecticidal activities against Spodoptera frugiperda and Peridroma saucia were determined. One isolate—Bt RT—produced more than 93% mortality on first instar larvae of both species, which was higher than that produced by the reference strain Bt 4D1. Bt RT carried a different cry gene profile than Bt 4D1. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of bipyramidal and cuboidal crystals. Phenotypic characterization revealed lytic enzymes that could contribute to Bt pathogenicity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the following people: Dr Dan Zeigler for providing Bacillus thuringiensis, Dr Santiago A Catalano and Dr Carlos Nieto Peñalver for helpful comments on the manuscript, and Mrs Liliana Valverde for kindly donating Ps larvae. The present work was supported by PIP 6062 CONICET and PICTO-UNT 761 grants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, T4001 MVB, Tucumán, Argentina

    Analía Álvarez

  2. PROIMI-CONICET, Av. Belgrano y Pasaje Caseros, T4001 MVB, Tucumán, Argentina

    Eduardo G. Virla, Licia M. Pera & Mario D. Baigorí

Authors
  1. Analía Álvarez
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  2. Eduardo G. Virla
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  3. Licia M. Pera
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  4. Mario D. Baigorí
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Correspondence to Analía Álvarez.

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Álvarez, A., Virla, E.G., Pera, L.M. et al. Characterization of native Bacillus thuringiensis strains and selection of an isolate active against Spodoptera frugiperda and Peridroma saucia . Biotechnol Lett 31, 1899–1903 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-009-0091-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-009-0091-5

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