Effect of transgenic cotton expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 protein on infectivity of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema karii and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
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Date
2013Author
Karuri, Hannah
Amata, Ruth
Amugune, Nelson
Waturu, Charles
Language
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes are used in biological control of pests. The cry proteins from insect
resistant cotton may affect their infectivity. The effect of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton (06Z604D) on
infectivity of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema karii was investigated in the green house.
The nematodes were introduced into pots containing Bt cotton (06Z604D), isoline (99M03) and Hart 89M
(local non Bt cotton cultivar). After 6 months, the nematodes were recovered from soil and their
infectivity towards Galleria mellonella larvae was determined. The presence of Bt protein in roots and
soil was determined at the end of the growing season by qualitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Bt protein was present in the roots and soil of Bt cotton. No Bt protein was detected in
HART 89M and isoline roots and soil. There was a significant species*time* treatment interaction and
the nematodes collected from all the treatments caused >50% mortality.