Distribution of bollworm,Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), injured reproductive structures on genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki Berliner cotton

Bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), larvae are commonly observed feeding in genetically engineered Bollgard cotton. Although no information is currently available characterizing the levels of injury bollworms cause, aproximately 25% of the Bollgard acreage in the United States receives at least one insecticide application annually targeting bollworm populations. Studies were conducted to determine the levels of fruiting form injury that can occur from bollworm larvae feeding on white flowers of two types of genetically engineered cotton. The two types of genetically engineered cotton included the original Bollgard that produces one protein (Cry1Ac) from Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki Berliner and Bollgard II that produces two proteins (Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab) from B. thuringiensis kurstaki. In one study, individual larvae (24 +/- 6 h old) were placed in first position white flowers of Deltapine 5415 (non-Bollgard) and Deltapine NuCOTN 33B (Bollgard). Larval infestations were made on 50 plants for each of 5 d during 2000 and 2001. Each plant was visually examined at 3 d and every 2 d thereafter, until larvae were no longer recovered. Larvae injured a total of 46.6 fruiting forms per 50 plants on non-Bollgard cotton, compared with only 18.9 fruiting forms per 50 plants on Bollgard cotton. Mean larval injury per insect was 4.3 fruiting forms on non-Bollgard cotton compared with 2.7 fruiting forms on Bollgard cotton. In a second study, individual larvae (24 +/- 6 h old) were placed in first position white flowers of Deltapine 50 (non-Bollgard), Deltapine 50B (Bollgard), and an experimental Bollgard II line. Larval infestations were made on 10 plants per day for each of six consecutive days during 2001. Larvae injured a total of 25.0 fruiting forms per 10 plants on non-Bollgard, 11.5 on Bollgard, and 6.4 on Bollgard II cottons. Mean larval injury per insect was 6.6 fruiting forms on non-Bollgard, 3.5 on Bollgard, and 0.8 on Bollgard II cottons. These data indicate that supplemental insecticide applications may be necessary to prevent yield losses on Bollgard cotton. In contrast, injury to Bollgard II cotton was minimal and may not require additional insecticide applications for bollworms.     

Yield response of dual-toxin Bt cotton to Helicoverpa zea infestations

Field cage experiments were conducted to determine the impact of bollworms, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), on yields of Bollgard II and Widestrike cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. One-day-old bollworm larvae were infested in white flowers of Bollgard II and in white flowers and terminals of Widestrike cotton. The infestation levels included 0, 50, and 100% of white flowers for each type of cotton. Terminal infestations included one or two larvae per terminal on Widestrike cotton. Larvae were placed in flowers of Bollgard II cotton each day for 1 to 4 wk during the first 4 wk of flowering during 2003, 2004, and 2005 seasons and in the flowers or terminals of Widestrike cotton each day for 1 to 3 wk. Averaged across years and durations of infestation, yields of Bollgard II cotton were significantly reduced compared with noninfested Bollgard II cotton when 100% of white flowers were infested. For Widestrike cotton, there was a reduction in yield when 100% of white flowers were infested in 2005, but not in 2006. There was a significant relationship for cumulative numbers of white flowers infested on seedcotton yield of Bollgard II during one of the 3 yr of the experiment. The regression equation during that year had a slope of -0.77. No significant relationships were observed for cumulative numbers of white flowers infested on yields of Widestrike cotton. Results of the current experiment suggest bollworms will rarely cause yield losses of Bollgard II and Widestrike cotton. Future research will need to focus on developing specific thresholds for bollworms on Bollgard II and Widestrike cotton.     

Comparative production of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from transgenic cotton expressing either one or two Bacillus thuringiensis proteins with and without insecticide oversprays

Transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.), expressing either one or two Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki Berliner (Bt) proteins was compared with the conventional sister line in field experiments with regard to production of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and bolls damaged by bollworm. The relative numbers of bollworms that developed on Bollgard (Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO), Bollgard II (Monsanto Co.), and conventional cotton were estimated under nontreated conditions in 2000 and both insecticide-treated and nontreated conditions in 2001-2002 in North Carolina tests. Averaged across seven field studies under nontreated conditions, Bollgard cotton generated statistically similar numbers of large (L4-L5) bollworm larvae compared with the conventional variety; however, Bollgard cotton produced significantly fewer damaged bolls and bollworm adults than the conventional variety. Production of large larvae, damaged bolls, and adults was decreased dramatically by Bollgard II cotton as compared with Bollgard and conventional varieties. When comparing insecticide-treated and nontreated cotton genotypes, both Bt cotton sustained less boll damage than the conventional variety averaged across insecticide regimes; furthermore, Bollgard II cotton had fewer damaged bolls than the Bollgard variety. When averaged across cotton genotypes, pyrethroid oversprays reduced the numbers of damaged bolls compared with the nontreated cotton. Insecticide-treated Bollgard cotton, along with insecticide-treated and nontreated Bollgard II cotton reduced production of bollworm larvae, pupae, and adults. However, the addition of pyrethroid oversprays to Bollgard II cotton seemed to be the best resistance management strategy available for bollworm because no bollworms were capable of completing development under these conditions.     

Feeding behavior of bollworm and tobacco budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae in mixed stands of nontransgenic and transgenic cotton expressing an insecticidal protein

Feeding behavior of third-instar bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), was observed in pure and mixed stands of nontransgenic and transgenic cotton (BTK), Gossypium hirsutum L., expressing an insecticidal protein CryIA(c) from a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp. kurstaki. Five plant stands composed of BTK and non-BTK plants were evaluated; two pure stands and three mixed stands. Percentage ratios of BTK to non-BTK plants in the stands were 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100, respectively. In all stands with BTK plants, fewer bollworm and tobacco budworm larvae were found on BTK plants than non-BTK plants 24 h after infestation with third instars. At 48 h, significantly fewer tobacco budworm larvae, but not fewer bollworm larvae, were found on BTK plants. However, the number of larvae of either insect did not increase on non-BTK plants compared with the initial infestation density of three larvae per plant. The number of obacco budworm injured flower buds, and capsules was lower in all plant stands containing BTK plants compared with the pure stand of non-BTK at 48 h after infestation. Higher numbers of larvae on non-BTK plants were possibly the result of larval intoxication, reduced feeding, and increased plant abandonment and death on BTK plants rather than a classical feeding preference. Unexpectedly, the number of flower buds and capsules injured by bollworm and tobacco budworm when averaged per plant for all plants in a stand, differed little among the 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 plant mixtures. These data suggest that larvae of both species frequently moved among plants, feeding indiscriminately on BTK and non-BTK plants.     

Bollworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) survival on 'Bollgard' and 'Bollgard II' cotton flower bud and flower components.

Genetically modified cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., cultivars ('Bollgard') that produce crystalline proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) are valuable tools for managing lepidopteran insect pests in the United States. However, high numbers of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), larvae have been observed feeding in white flowers of these cultivars. Fresh tissue bioassays were conducted to investigate bollworm survival on Bollgard and 'Bollgard II' cottons. Bollworm survival was higher on square and flower anthers than on other floral structures on 'Deltapine 5415' (conventional cotton) and 'NuCOTN 33B' (Bollgard). Bollworm survival at 72 h was higher on all floral structures from Deltapine 5415 than on corresponding structures from NuCOTN 33B. ELISA tests indicated that CryIA(c) expression varied among plant parts; however, bollworm survival did not correlate with protein expression levels. Trends in bollworm survival on Bollgard II were similar to those on Bollgard and conventional cotton; however, survival was lower on all structures of Bollgard II than on corresponding structures of Bollgard and conventional cotton. These data support field observations of bollworm injury to white flowers and small bolls and provide a better understanding of larval behavior on Bollgard cotton.     

Toxicity and characterization of cotton expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 proteins for control of lepidopteran pests

Cry1Ac protoxin (the active insecticidal toxin in both Bollgard and Bollgard II cotton [Gossypium hirsutum L.]), and Cry2Ab2 toxin (the second insecticidal toxin in Bollgard II cotton) were bioassayed against five of the primary lepidopteran pests of cotton by using diet incorporation. Cry1Ac was the most toxic to Heliothis virescens (F.) and Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), demonstrated good activity against Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and had negligible toxicity against Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Cry2Ab2 was the most toxic to P. gossypiella and least toxic to S. frugiperda. Cry2Ab2 was more toxic to S. exigua and S. frugiperda than Cry1Ac. Of the three insect species most sensitive to both Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins (including H. zea), P. gossypiella was only three-fold less sensitive to Cry2Ab2 than Cry1Ac, whereas H. virescens was 40-fold less sensitive to Cry2Ab2 compared with CrylAc. Cotton plants expressing Cry1Ac only and both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 proteins were characterized for toxicity against H. zea and S.frugiperda larvae in the laboratory and H. zea larvae in an environmental chamber. In no-choice assays on excised squares from plants of different ages, second instar H. zea larvae were controlled by Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 cotton with mortality levels of 90% and greater at 5 d compared with 30-80% mortality for Cry1Ac-only cotton, depending on plant age. Similarly, feeding on leaf discs from Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 cotton resulted in mortality of second instars of S.frugiperda ranging from 69 to 93%, whereas exposure to Cry1Ac-only cotton yielded 20-69% mortality, depending on plant age. When cotton blooms were infested in situ in an environmental chamber with neonate H. zea larvae previously fed on synthetic diet for 0, 24, or 48 h, 7-d flower abortion levels for Cry1Ac-only cotton were 15, 41, and 63%, respectively, whereas for Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 cotton, flower abortion levels were 0, 0, and 5%, respectively. Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 concentrations were measured within various cotton tissues of Cry1Ac-only and Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 plants, respectively, by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Terminal leaves significantly expressed the highest, and large leaves, calyx, and bracts expressed significantly the lowest concentrations of Cry1Ac, respectively. Ovules expressed significantly the highest, and terminal leaves, large leaves, bracts, and calyx expressed significantly (P < 0.05) the lowest concentrations of Cry2Ab2. These results help explain the observed differences between Bollgard and Bollgard II mortality against the primary lepidopteran cotton pests, and they may lead to improved scouting and resistance management practices, and to more effective control of these pests with Bt transgenic crops in the future.     

中红侧沟茧蜂对不同龄期棉铃虫幼虫及其为害棉株的趋性反应

研究中红侧沟茧蜂Microplitis mediator Haliday对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera Hübner幼虫及其为害棉株的趋性行为, 可为高效应用中红侧沟茧蜂控制棉铃虫提供理论依据。本研究在实验室内以中红侧沟茧蜂雌蜂、1~5龄棉铃虫幼虫及其为害棉花植株（去虫或未去虫）为试验材料, 采用“Y”型昆虫嗅觉仪测定了中红侧沟茧蜂雌蜂对1~5龄棉铃虫幼虫及其为害棉株的趋性行为反应。结果表明: 中红侧沟茧蜂对3龄、4龄和5龄棉铃虫幼虫均没有明显的趋向行为反应, 1龄和2龄棉铃虫幼虫对中红侧沟茧蜂有显著的引诱作用。此外, 1~5龄棉铃虫幼虫为害后去虫棉株与健康棉株均对中红侧沟茧蜂有吸引作用。在未去虫的处理中, 虫害诱导棉株比健康植株更能吸引中红侧沟茧蜂, 与健康植株差异显著, 而且不同龄期棉铃虫幼虫为害处理间差异较大, 对中红侧沟茧蜂引诱作用的相对顺序为: 5龄为害植株>2龄和4龄为害植株>1龄和3龄为害植株 (2龄和4龄为害处理间差异不显著; 1龄和3龄为害处理间差异不显著)。本研究结果可为中红侧沟茧蜂在生物防治上的应用提供一定的理论指导和实践依据。     

Effects of kaolin particle film on oviposition,larval mining,and infestation of cotton by pink bollworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

We tested effects of kaolin particle film on oviposition, larval mining, and infestation of cotton by pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field. In laboratory choice tests, females laid seven times more eggs on untreated bolls than on bolls treated with kaolin. When neonates were put on bolls in the laboratory, each boll with a treated and untreated half, larvae and mines were found 24 h later on the untreated half but not on the treated half. In oviposition choice tests with whole plants in the greenhouse, females laid four times more eggs on untreated plants than on treated plants and the number of eggs on bolls was five times higher for untreated plants than for treated plants. Kaolin treatments altered the distribution of eggs among plant parts, with untreated bolls receiving a higher percentage than treated bolls, whereas the opposite occurred for petioles. In field tests, treatment with kaolin alone reduced the proportion of bolls infested with pink bollworm, but a mixture of kaolin and the pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin was most effective. The results suggest that kaolin particle film may be useful against pink bollworm, particularly in conjunction with other control tactics.     

Survival of Helicoverpa armigera larvae on and Bt toxin expression in various parts of transgenic Bt cotton (Bollgard II) plants

There is no conclusive evidence that Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Australia have evolved significant levels of resistance to Bollgard II^® cotton (which expresses two Bt toxin genes, cry1Ac and cry2Ab). However, there is evidence of surviving larvae on Bollgard II cotton in the field. The distribution and survival of early‐instar Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae were examined on whole Bollgard II and non‐Bt cotton plants in greenhouse bioassays. The expression of Cry toxins in various parts of Bollgard II plants was compared to the survival of larvae in those locations. Only 1% of larvae survived after 6 days on greenhouse‐grown Bollgard II plants compared to 31% on non‐Bt cotton plants. Overall, and across all time intervals, more larvae survived on reproductive parts (squares, flowers, and bolls) than on vegetative parts (leaves, stems, and petioles) on Bollgard II plants. The concentration of Cry1Ac toxin did not differ between plant structures, whereas Cry2Ab toxin differed significantly, but there was no relationship between the level of expression and the location of larvae. This study provides no evidence that lower expression of Cry toxins in the reproductive parts of plants explains the survival of H. armigera larvae on Bollgard II cotton.     

Survivorship of Helicoverpa zea and Heliothis virescens on cotton plant structures expressing a Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal protein

A series of tests quantified bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), larval survival on plant structures of a nontransgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), 'Coker 312', and two transgenic cottons expressing Vip3A protein or both Vip3A + CrylAb proteins (VipCot). Vegetative and reproductive structures including terminal leaves, flower bud (square) bracts, whole debracted squares, flower petals, flower anthers, and intact capsules (bolls) were harvested from plants in field plots. Each structure was infested with 2-d-old larvae from one of the two heliothine species. Larvae were allowed to feed for 96 h on fresh tissue. Survivorship at 96 h after infestation was significantly lower on all structures of Vip3A and VipCot cotton lines compared with similar structures of Coker 312. VipCot plant structures generally resulted in lower larval survivorship compared with similar structures of the Vip3A cotton line. H. zea survivorship ranged from 4 to 28% and from 1 to 18% on Vip3A and VipCot plant structures, respectively. H. virescens survivorship ranged from 10 to 43% and from 2 to 12% on Vip3A and VipCot plant structures, respectively. H. virescens survivorship was higher on VIP3A plant structures compared with that for H. zea on similar structures. These differences between species were not observed on plants from the cotton line expressing VipCot proteins. The results for these plant structures demonstrate that the combination of proteins expressed in VipCot cotton lines are more effective than Vip3A cotton lines against this heliothine complex.     

Yield,development, and quality response of dual‐toxin Bt cotton to Helicoverpa spp. infestations in Australia

To verify current thresholds for Bollgard II^® cotton in Australia, the impact of Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae on yield, development, and quality under various infestation intensities and durations, and stages of growth, was tested using small plot field experiments over two seasons. Infestation with up to 80 eggs m^?1 of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Helicoverpa punctigera Wallengren showed that species, infestation level, and stage of growth had no significant effect on yields of seed‐cotton or lint and on maturity and fibre quality. The duration of infestation of white flowers with H. punctigera neonates (maximum of every day for up to 4 weeks) had no impact on the yield of seed‐cotton or lint, maturity, and fibre quality, but when 100% of flowers were infested (compared with 0 or 50%), seed‐cotton and lint yields were significantly reduced and maturity was delayed. Infestation with up to 18 medium H. armigera larvae m^?1 at several plant stages did not significantly affect yields of seed‐cotton and lint, maturity, and fibre quality. A heliocide spray applied on a commercial farm at the current threshold resulted in a significantly higher lint yield, compared with a farm where no spray was applied. In conclusion, Bollgard II^® cotton is highly resistant to Helicoverpa spp. infestation.     

Selective feeding of tobacco budworm and bollworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on meridic diet with different concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis proteins

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the behavior of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), larvae on meridic diet with different concentrations of the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki Berliner. The proteins used in these experiments are the ones in commercially available Bollgard and Bollgard II cotton. Both bollworms and tobacco budworms selectively fed on nontreated diet compared with diet treated with Cry1Ac. In addition, bollworms exhibited a concentration response with Cry1Ac. In general, bollworms selected diet with low concentrations of Cry1Ac compared with diet with higher concentrations of Cry1Ac. For Cry2Ab, the avoidance was not as prominent as that observed for Cry1Ac. Based on results from no-choice assays, the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab concentrations used in choice assays represented a wide range of biological activity on both species. The lower concentrations provided low levels of mortality, whereas the higher concentrations provided high levels of mortality. Also, the developmental times of larvae were longer at higher concentrations of both proteins. These data provide important information about the behavioral response of key cotton pests to the B. thuringiensis proteins found in commercially available transgenic cotton. This information will be important to develop accurate scouting and management procedures for Bollgard and Bollgard II cotton.     

The effects of the infestation ratio of spiny bollworm (Earias insulana) and pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) on cotton yield grown in semi-arid region of Turkey

Abstract:  Field studies were conducted in Harran Plain, Turkey, to investigate the infestation of spiny bollworm (SBW) and pink bollworm (PBW) in cotton blind bolls during the period 1999–2001. Blind bolls left on the cotton plants after the harvest were collected, and the PBW and SBW larvae, which are the causes of infection were counted in the laboratory by splitting the bolls. The statistical methods reveal that the infestation ratio variable plays an important role in reducing cotton yield. The infestation ratio variable was found to be statistically significant in all models used. Different soil types may have little effects on yield. We also estimate elasticity of yield with respect to infestation ratio variable. A 1% increase in infestation ratio would reduce about 2.5–6% of cotton yield. Although the infestation ratio of cotton yield is inelastic, which means that the yield is less responsive to the infestation ratio, the elasticity is however an economically important indication because additional cost spent on pests will increase total cost thereby increasing the level where marginal revenue equals the marginal cost.     

Development and commercial use of Bollgard cotton in the USA--early promises versus today's reality

Bollgard cotton is the trademark given to a number of varieties of cotton bio-engineered to produce an insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). When produced by the modified cotton plants, this protein controls certain lepidopterous cotton insect pests. Commercially available since 1996, these cotton varieties are purchased under a license agreement in which the growers pay a fee and agree to abide by the terms, which include a 1-year license to use the technology and agreement to participate in an insect resistance management program. Today, Bollgard cotton is grown on more than one-third of all cotton acreage in the USA. This product has reduced cotton production costs and insecticide use by providing an effective alternative to chemical insecticides for the control of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens; cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea; and pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella. The specificity and safety profile of the Bt protein produced in planta in cotton was maintained. It has retained its selectivity for lepidopterous insects and lacks the characteristics found in potential allergenic proteins. Fiber quality, the agronomic characteristics of the plant and seed composition remain unchanged. New cotton technology is being developed to provide improved insect control and a wider spectrum of activity. These future products could further reduce insecticide use in the production of cotton, while maintaining the high level of safety and reliability that has been demonstrated by five seasons of Bollgard cotton use.     

江苏沿江棉区第三代棉铃虫防治指标研究

通过人工接虫为害,获得了棉铃虫各龄期幼虫在棉花上的为害量和为害损失。并观察了不同年份棉铃虫卵和各龄幼虫的自然存活率。在此基础上．研究得出了自然状态下第3代棉铃虫的防治指标,其值为百株累计卵量100粒,或当日百株新增卵量25粒。与用固定虫量研究方法得出的指标相比,该指标更合理、更经济可行。     

Field and laboratory evaluations of transgenic cottons expressing one or two Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki Berliner proteins for management of noctuid (Lepidoptera) pests

Field studies were conducted from 1999 to 2001 to evaluate the efficacy of the transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.), genotype, Bollgard II (Monsanto 15985), which expresses two Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) proteins (Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab) that are active against lepidopterous pests. Bollgard II was compared with Bollgard (DP50B), which expresses only one Bt protein (Cry1Ac), and, in all tests, the conventional variety, DP50, was used as a non-Bt control. Larval populations of the bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and the soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), were significantly lower in Bollgard II than in Bollgard and conventional cotton, and the proportion of fruit damaged by H. zea was also lower. Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), populations were lower in Bollgard II than in Bollgard, although not significantly. Field tests were supplemented with laboratory bioassays in 2001 to compare mortality of S. frugiperda, and beet armyworms, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), feeding on these genotypes. Mortality of both species was significantly greater on Bollgard II plant material than on either Bollgard or conventional cotton. This study demonstrated that the dual-toxin Bollgard II genotype is highly effective against lepidopterous pests that are not adequately controlled by the current single-toxin Bollgard varieties. If toxin expression in future Bollgard II varieties remains consistent with that of Monsanto 15985, supplemental insecticides will be reduced, and may be eliminated for lepidopterous pests in South Carolina.     

转Bt基因棉花国抗62对棉铃虫生长发育的影响及田间抗虫效果

为了明确新疆第一个自主转Bt基因棉花品种国抗62对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera生长发育影响及田间抗虫效果,2005年进行了室内生物测定和田间小区试验。在室内以国抗62（转Cry1Ac基因棉花）和中棉35（对照常规棉花）的叶片饲喂棉铃虫幼虫,从幼虫发育历期、体重、存活率、化蛹等方面,分析了棉铃虫生长发育动态。结果表明,国抗62对棉铃虫生长发育的抑制作用非常显著。与对照相比,取食国抗62的棉铃虫幼虫1～6龄龄期分别延长了1.0,7.8,8.2,17.8,20.3和＞21.3天;幼虫发育到6龄时存活率仅为2.6%,最终无一化蛹,而对照幼虫发育到6龄时存活率为91.8%,最终化蛹率为89.8%。田间小区调查结果显示国抗62对第2代棉铃虫有非常好的抗虫效果：两个品种棉田棉铃虫落卵量无显著差异,但国抗62棉田比对照棉田虫口数量降低85.7%,顶尖被害率降低94.4%,蕾铃被害率降低95.1%,差异达到显著和极显著水平。但国抗62对第3代棉铃虫的田间抗虫效果欠佳。棉铃虫在新疆棉田以第2代为害为主,因此,国抗62能够起到有效的控制作用。     

Cry2Ab蛋白对甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾低龄幼虫的抗性

【背景】在我国,由于Bt棉的种植,棉铃虫和红铃虫等靶标害虫得到了控制,但棉田其他鳞翅目害虫如甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾的危害仍较严重。美国商业化种植的双价棉BollgardⅡ所表达的Cry2Ab蛋白不仅对棉铃虫有较好的控制效果,而且对甜菜夜蛾和草地贪夜蛾有较好的控制作用。因此,该双价棉在我国被环境释放前,有必要研究其对棉田其他鳞翅目害虫的影响。【方法】在人工饲料中分别添加质量浓度为1．25、2．5、5．0、10．0和20．0μg·g^-1的Cry2Ab蛋白,采用生物测定的方法,在室内研究了其对甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾低龄幼虫存活率和体质量抑制率的影响。【结果】随着Cry2Ab蛋白浓度的增大,甜菜夜蛾初孵幼虫和1龄幼虫的存活率逐渐降低,2龄幼虫和3龄幼虫以及斜纹夜蛾各龄期幼虫的存活率在不同浓度处理下与对照差异均不显著。但与对照相比,高浓度处理对这2种害虫各龄期幼虫的体质量均有显著影响。【结论与意义】高浓度Cry2Ab蛋白（10．0和20．0μg·g^-1）对甜菜夜蛾低龄幼虫有较好的控制作用,但对斜纹夜蛾低龄幼虫的控制效果不太理想。这为该双价基因棉花在我国的推广提供了依据。     

Endophytic bacteria mediate plant resistance against cotton bollworm

Abstract

The efficacy of endophytic bacterial strains was evaluated in cotton against American bollworm infestation under greenhouse conditions. Among the 103 endophytic bacterial strains, the Bacillus strains (EPCO 102 and EPCO 16) and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain Pf1 significantly reduced the bollworm incidence. Talc-based bioformulation of EPCO 102, EPCO 16 and P. fluorescens Pf1 with and without chitin in inducing systemic resistance was tested against bollworm. The application of the bioformulation through seed, soil and foliar spray significantly reduced the bollworm incidence. The amendment of chitin in the formulation further reduced the pest incidence. Maximum bollworm reduction by endophytic bacterial strains EPCO 102, EPCO 16 and Pf1 strain with chitin was recorded. In addition, endophytic bacterial bioformulation with chitin induced more and timely activities of chitinase, β-1, 3-glucanase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and phenol in cotton plants infested with Helicoverpa armigera.