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Transgenic broccoli expressing aBacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein: Implications for pest resistance management strategies

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Abstract

We usedAgrobacterium tumefaciens to transform flowering stalk explants of five genotypes of broccoli with a construct containing the neomycin phosphotransferase gene and aBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene [CryIA(c) type] optimized for plant expression. Overall transformation efficiency was 6.4%; 181 kanamycin-resistant plants were recovered. Of the 162 kanamycin-resistant plants tested, 112 (69%) caused 100% morality of 1st-instar larvae of aBt-susceptible diamondback moth strain. Southern blots of some resistant transformants confirmed presence of theBt gene. Selected plants that gave 100% mortality of susceptible larvae allowed survival of a strain of diamondback moth that had evolved resistance toBt in the field. F1 hybrids between resistant and susceptible insects did not survive. Analysis of progeny from 26 resistant transgenic lines showed 16 that gave segregation ratios consistent with a single T-DNA integration. Southern analysis was used to verify those plants possessing a single T-DNA integration. Because these transgenic plants kill susceptible larvae and F1 larvae, but serve as a suitable host for resistant ones, they provide an excellent model for tests ofBt resistance management strategies.

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Author notes

  1. Timothy D. Metz

    Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Campbell University, 27506, Buies Creek, NC, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Breeding, Cornell University, 14853-1902, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Timothy D. Metz & Elizabeth D. Earle

  2. Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Richard T. Roush

  3. Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, 14456, Geneva, NY, USA

    Juliet D. Tang & Anthony M. Shelton

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  1. Timothy D. Metz
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  3. Juliet D. Tang
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  4. Anthony M. Shelton
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  5. Elizabeth D. Earle
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Metz, T.D., Roush, R.T., Tang, J.D. et al. Transgenic broccoli expressing aBacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein: Implications for pest resistance management strategies. Mol Breeding 1, 309–317 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01248408

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