AGRE-0003 Insect Resistant Transgenic Plants with Improved Performance

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Biotechnology : ECLAIR Cluster V - Biological Pest Control : Integrated Crop Protection & Biological Control : Plant Genetics

Insect Resistant Transgenic Plants with Improved Performance

Transgenic plants: Control left

SUMMARY

A number of projects funded under the ECLAIR programme, although not directly producing a non-food product from agricultural raw material, are of relevance to crops in general since they aim to develop new methods of pest and disease control, which could reduce cost of raw material production, as well as offering environmental advantages. This project considered here AGRE-0003 is concerned with the production of transgenic plants, but in this case with the objective of conferring resistance to insect attack by introduction of a gene encoding the insecticidal protein produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.

INTRODUCTION

Using genetic engineering, it is possible to transform plants in order to incorporate the insecticidal protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is active against pests such as caterpillars of many lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). At the start of this project, several plant species (tobacco, tomato, potato) had been transformed in this way, whilst trials had shown that this could be an effective means of controlling damage to crops. However, the earlier work had a number of limitations: too narrow a spectrum of pest control; the possibility of insects developing resistance had not been evaluated; and expression levels was low. This project addressed these key questions.

OBJECTIVES

The key objectives were focused on the limitations described above. Combinations of genes were designed in order to broaden the insecticidal spectrum, whilst a number of different promoter sequences and vectors, as well as techniques to increase gene copy number, were used as a means of increasing the level of expression of protein (toxicity of the plants to the pests). In addition, the development of insect resistance was studied using biochemical, physiological and genetic approaches.

ACTIVITIES

Potato, brasicca and tomato plants were selected as model plants for transformation, while the following pests were selected for use in various studies on gut physiology and the mechanisms and genetics of resistance: Heliothis virescens, Plutella xylosella, Leptinotarsa decemlineata and Phthorimaea operculella. The Bt genes used were cryIAb, cryIC and cryIB.

RESULTS AND COMMERCIALISATION

Progress was made in assessing the potential of the concept, both in areas of molecular characterisation and field evaluation, providing a better understanding of the mode of action of Bt. The project generated a number of insect resistant plant lines which are ready to be integrated into the commercial breeding programmes of both the partners and other interested parties.

PARTICIPANTS

Clause Semences Professionelles, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France. University of Velencia, Spain.