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Cotton bollworm resistance to Bt transgenic cotton: A case analysis

Science China Life Sciences volume 53, pages 934–941 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is one of the most serious insect pests of cotton. Transgenic cotton expressing Cry toxins derived from a soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), has been produced to target this pest. Bt cotton has been widely planted around the world, and this has resulted in efficient control of bollworm populations with reduced use of synthetic insecticides. However, evolution of resistance by this pest threatens the continued success of Bt cotton. To date, no field populations of bollworm have evolved significant levels of resistance; however, several laboratory-selected Cry-resistant strains of H. armigera have been obtained, which suggests that bollworm has the capacity to evolve resistance to Bt. The development of resistance to Bt is of great concern, and there is a vast body of research in this area aimed at ensuring the continued success of Bt cotton. Here, we review studies on the evolution of Bt resistance in H. armigera, focusing on the biochemical and molecular basis of Bt resistance. We also discuss resistance management strategies, and monitoring programs implemented in China, Australia, and India.

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Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100193, China

    ChenXi Liu, YunHe Li, YuLin Gao, ChangMing Ning & KongMing Wu

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  1. ChenXi Liu
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  2. YunHe Li
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  3. YuLin Gao
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  4. ChangMing Ning
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  5. KongMing Wu
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Correspondence to KongMing Wu.

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Liu, C., Li, Y., Gao, Y. et al. Cotton bollworm resistance to Bt transgenic cotton: A case analysis. Sci. China Life Sci. 53, 934–941 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-010-4045-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-010-4045-x

Keywords

  • Helicoverpa armigera
  • Bt resistance
  • transgenic cotton
  • resistance mechanism
  • management strategies