抗二化螟的水稻品种筛选

【目的】筛选抗二化螟Chilo suppressalis水稻品种资源,明确其抗虫机理,是农业防治的基础。【方法】采用室内人工接虫为害和大田自然受害相结合的方法,鉴定了不同的水稻品种抗性;同时通过目测不同水稻植株外部形态特征、在网罩内供试品种上接入成虫后2 d的产卵量、幼虫孵化后2 d观察稻株内二化螟的存活率,探讨抗虫品种的抗虫机理。【结果】从344个水稻品种资源和当家品种中筛选出"碑田倒"和"银间杂糯"2个抗虫品种,以及"农飞"和"三香糯"等65个中抗品种,进一步对鉴定出的2个抗虫品种和65个中抗品种进行大田验证,发现符合率达88.06%;其中,抗虫品种"碑田倒"和"银间杂糯"稻株叶舌、叶耳紧贴,叶鞘紧包,脉间距较窄,其植株上的产卵量和幼虫存活率显著少于感虫品种"香稻"、"赣南早"、"三粒寸"、"赣优晚"及中抗品种"赛湖早"、"TKM6"。【结论】在籼稻、粳稻和糯稻中均可筛选出抗虫和中抗品种。其中,糯稻中的抗虫品种和中抗品种较多,占糯稻品种的33.3%;粳稻品种次之,中抗品种占20%,籼稻品种较少,为18.83%。其抗虫机理主要是稻株外部形态特征不利于二化螟蚁螟侵入、成虫产卵量少和幼虫生长发育不良、存活率低。     

抗二化螟的水稻品种筛选

【目的】筛选抗二化螟Chilo suppressalis水稻品种资源,明确其抗虫机理,是农业防治的基础。【方法】采用室内人工接虫为害和大田自然受害相结合的方法,鉴定了不同的水稻品种抗性;同时通过目测不同水稻植株外部形态特征、在网罩内供试品种上接入成虫后2 d的产卵量、幼虫孵化后2 d观察稻株内二化螟的存活率,探讨抗虫品种的抗虫机理。【结果】从344个水稻品种资源和当家品种中筛选出"碑田倒"和"银间杂糯"2个抗虫品种,以及"农飞"和"三香糯"等65个中抗品种,进一步对鉴定出的2个抗虫品种和65个中抗品种进行大田验证,发现符合率达88.06%;其中,抗虫品种"碑田倒"和"银间杂糯"稻株叶舌、叶耳紧贴,叶鞘紧包,脉间距较窄,其植株上的产卵量和幼虫存活率显著少于感虫品种"香稻"、"赣南早"、"三粒寸"、"赣优晚"及中抗品种"赛湖早"、"TKM6"。【结论】在籼稻、粳稻和糯稻中均可筛选出抗虫和中抗品种。其中,糯稻中的抗虫品种和中抗品种较多,占糯稻品种的33.3%;粳稻品种次之,中抗品种占20%,籼稻品种较少,为18.83%。其抗虫机理主要是稻株外部形态特征不利于二化螟蚁螟侵入、成虫产卵量少和幼虫生长发育不良、存活率低。     

不同产地和品种桑叶游离氨基酸主成分分析及综合评价CSCD

研究重庆市3个品种共17种不同产地桑叶水提液中游离氨基酸组成及含量,为本地区桑叶的开发利用提供理论基础。以桑、华桑、鸡桑3个品种不同采样地区的样品为原材料,模拟桑叶茶冲泡方式获得水提液,用HPLC荧光法测定其游离氨基酸含量并计算18种游离氨基酸的味道强度值(taste activity value,TAV),通过相关性分析、主成分分析、聚类分析等方法综合评价不同品种和产地桑叶营养成分和风味特征。研究结果显示,不同品种、不同产地桑叶氨基酸种类无明显差别,但氨基酸含量存在差异,可测得最高总氨基酸、必需氨基酸、半必需氨基酸、非必需氨基酸含量分别为1927.33 mg/100g、322.6 mg/100g、46.17 mg/100g和1558.56 mg/100g;桑叶氨基酸风味特征表现为甜味氨基酸>鲜味氨基酸>苦味氨基酸;聚类分析将17个样品分为2类,重庆市巴南区安澜镇鸡桑(S15)、华桑(S7)两个品种的氨基酸品质高。综上所述,桑叶中氨基酸含量丰富,具有较高的营养价值,可开发氨基酸类功能性食品。     

硅介导的水稻对二化螟幼虫钻蛀行为的影响

采用对二化螟敏感(汕优63)和中抗(盐丰47)的水稻品种,设置硅酸钙处理,观察二化螟蚁螟和三龄幼虫在不同处理稻茎上的钻蛀率、蛀入率和蛀入耗时,同时测定不同处理植株的硅细胞数量及植株与土壤的二氧化硅含量,旨在明确水稻施用硅肥对二化螟幼虫钻蛀行为的影响以及这种影响在不同龄期幼虫和不同抗虫性水稻品种间是否存在差异。蚁螟和三龄幼虫钻蛀率随硅肥施用量增加而降低(幅度为5%—28%)。蚁螟蛀入率在硅肥处理之间和水稻品种之间均没有差异;三龄幼虫蛀入率随硅肥施用量增加而显著下降10%—40%,盐丰47上的蛀入率显著低于汕优63(差异10%—30%)。蚁螟蛀入耗时随硅肥施用量增加而显著延长,三龄幼虫蛀入耗时与品种抗性有显著关系。稻茎硅含量随硅肥施用量增加而增大,并且与三龄幼虫蛀入率呈负相关、与三龄幼虫蛀入耗时呈正相关关系。因此,施用硅肥可直接抑制二化螟幼虫钻蛀,蛀入耗时的延长可间接地延长幼虫暴力于其它防治措施的时间;施用硅肥对三龄幼虫成功蛀入的影响大于对蚁螟的影响;相对于抗虫品种,施用硅肥能在更大程度上增强感虫品种对二化螟幼虫钻蛀行为的抑制作用。     

水稻品种对稻纵卷叶螟抗性的物理及生化机制

稻纵卷叶螟Cnaphalocrocis medinalis连年大发生,为在其治理中培育和推广抗虫品种,本文应用扫描电镜和生化测定研究了5个常用水稻栽培品种扬辐粳8号、扬稻6号、扬粳9538、淮稻9号和宁梗1号叶片中的硅含量、硅颗粒大小、蜡质含量等物理指标和一些生化指标与抗虫性的关系,并比较了稻纵卷叶螟幼虫危害不同水稻品种后其体内生化反应的差异。结果表明抗虫品种宁梗1号、淮稻9号叶片表面的硅含量显著高于感虫品种,硅颗粒大小在品种间无显著差异。宁粳1号叶片蜡质含量显著高于其他品种。由此表明叶片表面硅和蜡质含量与抗性有关。稻纵卷叶螟幼虫取食后,抗虫品种体内的过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）活性显著高于感虫品种,但丙二醛(MDA)含量低于感虫品种。稻纵卷叶螟幼虫取食不同品种后,其体内一些酶的活性明显不同,取食抗虫品种的幼虫体内POD和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)活性显著高于取食其他品种的幼虫,SOD活性显著低于取食感虫品种的幼虫, 表明抗虫品种对稻纵卷叶螟幼虫有毒害作用。     

幼虫密度对桑螟生长发育和繁殖的影响

【目的】本研究旨在了解桑螟Diaphania pyloalis幼虫不同饲养密度对其生长发育和繁殖的影响。【方法】本研究测定了室内同一条件下5个幼虫密度(130, 650, 1 300, 1 950和2 600头/m²)下桑螟生长发育和繁殖指标,包括发育历期、幼虫存活率、化蛹率、成虫羽化率、蛹重、产卵期、单雌产卵量等。【结果】幼虫密度对桑螟的生长发育和繁殖均产生不同程度影响,幼虫密度偏低或偏高都不利于桑螟生长发育和繁殖。其中以1 300和1 950头/m² 2种幼虫密度下的桑螟幼虫生长发育和成虫繁殖状态均最佳且两密度下各项指标无明显差异,1 300头/m²密度下,桑螟的幼虫历期、蛹历期和成虫历期分别为11.32, 6.33和5.31 d; 1 950头/m²密度下,桑螟的幼虫历期、蛹历期和成虫历期分别为11.50, 6.00和5.47 d。1 300头/m²幼虫密度下,桑螟化蛹率、成虫羽化率和幼虫存活率分别为86.67%, 100%和86.67%, 1 950头/m^2<...     

早晚季水稻精米和米皮硒含量的基因型差异研究

选用福建省生产上推广应用的水稻品种(组合)、特种稻和旱稻共45份种质资源为试验材料,在早、晚季分析不同基因型水稻精米和米皮中硒含量的差异.结果表明:①早、晚季水稻品种精米和米皮中硒含量表现均无明显差异.②水稻品种精米和米皮中硒含量分布遵循正态分布规律,表明水稻精米和米皮中硒含量属数量性状.③不同基因型水稻品种精米和米皮中硒含量差异很大,不同品种具有不同的富硒能力.其中早季精米硒含量最高的品种是罗旱紫谷(0.065mg/kg),最低的是84VE303(0.012mg/kg);晚季精米硒含量最高的品种是罗旱紫谷(0.068mg/kg),最低的是加州红米(0.009mg/kg).④早、晚季种植的精米硒含量达0.04 mg/kg以上的水稻品种有:罗旱紫谷、隆化大红欲、555-99、Ziukdo、矮血糯,其中罗旱紫谷精米中硒含量最高,早晚季平均达0.067 mg/kg.     

大蒜不同品种硝酸盐积累规律研究

以26个大蒜品种为试验材料,分析了不同品种不同生长期和不同产品器官硝酸盐积累特点,结果表明:大蒜不同生长时期和不同产品器官中硝酸盐积累量不同,叶片和叶鞘中硝酸盐含量在生长旺盛的春季(4月5日)和早春(3月14日)明显高于冬季(1月7日);不同器官以蒜苗中最高,蒜薹中次之,蒜头中最低;蒜苗中硝酸盐含量多为叶鞘高于叶片.大蒜不同品种间叶鞘、叶片、蒜薹和蒜头中硝酸盐含量均有极显著差异,按照沈明珠等的4级分类标准,3个品种叶鞘中,9个品种叶片中,4个品种蒜薹中,22个品种蒜头中的硝酸盐含量均低于432 mg/kg,属轻度积累;大蒜中硝酸盐含量最高仅达到三级(785~1 440 mg/kg),属高度积累.依据国家标准(GB18406.1-2001),大蒜不同品种的各产品器官中硝酸盐含量均未超出限量指标.     

灰茶尺蠖对不同茶树品种取食选择与适应性及与茶树叶片营养成分的关系

【目的】明确灰茶尺蠖Ectropis grisescens Warren对不同茶树Camellia sinensis品种叶片的取食选择性,以及不同茶树品种叶片对灰茶尺蠖生长发育的影响,以探讨灰茶尺蠖对茶树品种的适应机制。【方法】首先测定灰茶尺蠖幼虫对11个茶树品种叶片的取食选择性,并从中选择5个茶树品种测定其叶片生化成分(水分、可溶性糖、茶多酚和游离氨基酸)含量,以分析灰茶尺蠖取食选择性与茶树生化成分的关系;用筛选出来的5个茶树品种叶片饲喂灰茶尺蠖,测定不同茶树品种对灰茶尺蠖生长发育的影响。【结果】灰茶尺蠖幼虫对11个茶树品种叶片的取食选择性从大到小依次为:平阳特早舒茶早中黄2号越香早中黄1号岚里香漕溪1号玉露1号福鼎大白陕茶1号苏玉黄。线性回归分析表明,灰茶尺蠖取食选择性与茶树叶片含水量和可溶性糖含量呈正相关,与茶多酚和游离氨基酸含量呈负相关,说明灰茶尺蠖幼虫偏好取食含水量和可溶性糖含量高的茶树叶片,不喜食茶多酚和游离氨基酸含量高的叶片。不同茶树品种叶片可显著影响灰茶尺蠖低龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹的发育历期,对成虫寿命、末龄幼虫体重、蛹重、幼虫存活率、成虫羽化率、单雌产卵量、取食量和食物利用率均无显著影响。【结论】茶树的生化成分影响着灰茶尺蠖的取食选择,而灰茶尺蠖可通过改变取食策略等方式来适应寄主植物。     

二化螟蚁螟在不同类型水稻品种上的存活率及寄主选择性

二化螟Chilo suppressalis Walker是我国主要水稻害虫之一,近年来发生量呈上升趋势.本文研究表明二化螟蚁螟在不同类型水稻品种上3d的存活率不同.在两优培九上,3d的存活率最高,为60.8％.其次为南京11,其存活率为45.8％;在南粳44、武运粳7号、常优3号、武育粳3号和香糯8333上3d的存活率与南京11差异不显著,为40.0％ ～45.0％.在Ⅱ优084上蚁螟3d的存活率最低,只有25.8％.蚁螟对不同类型水稻品种的选择性也有差异.在8个水稻品种中,蚁螟对杂交籼稻两优培九的选择性最高,圆盘法测定其选择率为21.0％;Y型嗅觉仪法测定结果与圆盘法一致,在所有组合中蚁螟对两优培九的选择率均大于50.0％,明显高于常规籼稻和粳稻.蚁螟对南粳44(16.5％)和南京11(15.5％)的选择性仅次于两优培九,其后为常优3号(13.5％).对香糯8333的选择性最低,圆盘法测定其选择率仅有5.6％.进一步利用SPSS软件回归分析蚁螟在不同水稻品种上3d的存活率和对该品种的选择性,发现二者间存在明显的正相关关系.     

Soil application of silicon reduces yellow stem borer,Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) damage in rice

The effect of soil application of rice husk ash (RHA), a cheap renewable source of silicon, and imidazole (a silicon solubilizer and carrier) on yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), and its damage to rice plants were investigated. Treatments included soil application of RHA (T1), imidazole (T2), RHA + imidazole (applied once at vegetative stage, T3) and RHA + imidazole (applied twice at both vegetative and booting stages of crop growth, T4) with an untreated control (T5). The effect was tested in five varieties, viz., BPT 5204, KRH2, Pusa Basmati 1, MTU1010 and Vandana. All the soil treatments reduced damage by YSB at vegetative and reproductive phases across five varieties as compared to untreated control. Scanning electron micrograph and electron‐dispersive X‐ray spectrum analysis of stem tissue of rice variety BPT 5204 treated with silicon revealed the enhanced deposition of silicon in cell walls and 2.1‐ to 5.3‐fold increase in silicon content across treatments. Larvae collected from the silicon‐treated plants had worn mandibles, and the histological studies showed rupture of the peritrophic membrane, increased vacuolation, disintegration of columnar cells and discharge of cellular contents into the gut lumen due to abrasion of midgut epithelium, as compared to untreated control where the columnar cells and midgut lining were intact. Although all the treatments were effective, T4‐imidazole applied twice along with RHA was more effective in reducing YSB damage followed by T3‐imidazole applied once with RHA at tillering stage, T2‐imidazole alone and T1‐RHA in the descending order of efficacy.     

Determination of Binding of Bacillus thuringiensis (delta)-Endotoxin Receptors to Rice Stem Borer Midguts

Insecticidal activity and receptor binding properties of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins to yellow and striped rice stem borers (Sciropophaga incertulas and Chilo suppresalis, respectively) were investigated. Yellow stem borer (YSB) was susceptible to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, Cry2A, and Cry1C toxins with similar toxicities. To striped stem borer (SSB), Cry1Ac, Cry2A, and Cry1C were more toxic than Cry1Aa toxin. Binding assays were performed with (sup125)I-labeled toxins (Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, Cry2A, and Cry1C) and brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) prepared from YSB and SSB midguts. Both Cry1Aa and Cry1Ac toxins showed saturable, high-affinity binding to YSB BBMV. Cry2A and Cry1C toxins bound to YSB BBMV with relatively low binding affinity but with high binding site concentration. To SSB, both Cry1Aa and Cry1Ac exhibited high binding affinity, although these toxins are less toxic than Cry1C and Cry2A. Cry1C and Cry2A toxins bound to SSB BBMV with relatively low binding affinity but with high binding site concentration. Heterologous competition binding assays were performed to investigate the binding site cross-reactivity. The results showed that Cry1Aa and Cry1Ac recognize the same binding site, which is different from the Cry2A or Cry1C binding site in YSB and SSB. These data suggest that development of multitoxin systems in transgenic rice with toxin combinations which recognize different binding sites may be useful in implementing deployment strategies that decrease the rate of pest adaptation to B. thuringiensis toxin-expressing rice varieties.     

4种农业措施对三化螟种群动态的控制作用

我国南方稻区是水稻三化螟主发生区。近年来,受农业机械化、产业结构调整、农田水利建设等影响,三化螟发生与为害呈现新的特点。本项研究分别在广东粤北、粤中和粤西,通过田间试验布局和调查,系统研究了隔离育秧、稻菜轮作、浸桩旋耕和烧桩4种农业措施对三化螟种群动态的控制作用。研究结果表明,隔离育秧、稻菜轮作和浸桩旋耕对于三化螟发生具有明显控制作用,而烧桩对三化螟控制效果不明显。隔离育秧与塑盘育秧、露地育秧这两种耕作方式相比,第2代本田白穗率、第4代白穗率、越冬虫口密度分别降低了43.4、53.7、14.0倍和14.4、11.0、4.7倍;稻菜轮作区与非稻菜轮作区比较,第2代本田白穗率、第4代白穗率和越冬虫口密度分别降低了24.4、43.3、152.3倍;浸桩旋耕与非浸桩旋耕区比较,第2代本田白穗率、第4代白穗率和越冬虫口密度分别降低了3.7、2.7、8.9倍;烧桩处理则仅比对照田三化螟存活率略低14.9%。轻简化和机械化将是未来水稻种植主流,本文对于指导生产实践中三化螟防治具有重要意义。     

三化螟种群的内稳定性及其生态机制

从三化螟世代转换及其与水稻生长发育进程的相互作用体系, 分析了三化螟种群的内稳定性及其生态机制。结果表明, 在各类稻作区, 不同年份之间, 历代成虫数量发生型显著不同, 但其发生期具有共同的特征: 2代蛾的发生期（≥27天）比1代蛾大幅度扩展, 且相对稳定。发蛾期扩展的机制在于: 同期初孵幼虫在寄主水稻中异步化发育, 极端发育进度相差达3龄期; 在9.92、镇稻2号等10个不同品系的寄主水稻中, 异步化程度存在显著差异。基于异步化发育, 三化螟种群的时间生态位增加22.0%～75.0%, 二维生态位扩展15.1%～59.3%, 并使同一种群中极端早发类与迟发类的后代可交配, 以此保持种群遗传性的相对稳定。针对三化螟种群内稳定性形成的机制与条件, 提出了种群的数量与结构控制相结合的系统控害策略与技术。     

Kairomones effect on parasitic activity of Trichogramma japonicum against rice yellow stem borer,Scirpophaga incertulas

The yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas, is a borer pest of low-land rice in tropical regions of the world, reducing production and productivity. Chemical control of YSB is challenging and often less effective due to its cryptic larval feeding behaviour inside the rice culm. Biological suppression of YSB, using egg parasitoid, Trichogramma japonicum, has been well demonstrated. Kairomones, that are interspecific, play a vital role in deciding biocontrol efficiency of egg parasitoid against lepidopteran pests. However, the mechanisms involved in terms of emission of long- and short-chain volatile chemicals from YSB and its by-products and YSB damaged rice plants in attraction to T. japonicum to locate eggs of YSB are still poorly understood. In order to trace out the volatile compounds responsible for attraction of egg parasitoid, the hexane extract of YSB female whole body and acetone extract of YSB damaged rice culm were subject to GC-MS analyses. Out of 20 chemicals, four chemicals belonging to carboxyl, alkane and saturated fatty acid [n-hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid), tetradecane, octadecane, n-octadecanoic acid (stearic acid)] from female YSB hexane extract and three sesquiterpenoids (β pinene, α pinene and caryophyllene) from YSB damaged rice plant extracts were detected in greater concentrations. In laboratory assays with the synthetic form of seven chemicals, three, n-hexadecanoic acid, n-octadecanoic acid and octadecane, were promising in enhancing the parasitic activity of T. japonicum on YSB eggs from 26.4% to 92.6% at 200 ppm, 27.3% to 96.5% at 500 ppm and 23.6% to 82.8% at 500 ppm, respectively, in contrast to untreated eggs (87.3% at 7^th day after exposure) and hexane washed eggs (16.7% at 7^th day after exposure). Evaluation of these compounds revealed the key chemical cues of biocontrol potential (n-hexadecanoic acid, n-octadecanoic acid and octadecane) for enhancing egg parasitism activity of T. japonicum on YSB eggs.     

Generation and screening of recombinant inbred lines of rice for yellow stemborer resistance

Based on the results of studies on varietal screening, antixenosis (egg laying preference) and antibiosis (larval survival and adult emergence), rice varieties W1263 and CO43 were selected as resistant and susceptible parents, respectively, for yellow stemborer (YSB) infestation. A mapping population was developed using above parents following single seed descent method. Screening for YSB reaction in F1 and F2, generations under field and glasshouse conditions for both dead hearts and white ears, established the polygenic nature of inheritance for YSB resistance. Field screening for YSB resistance at F9 generation revealed the difference in the reactions among recombinant inbred lines (RILs) between vegetative and reproductive stages. The experiments under field and glasshouse screening of RILs for dead hearts showed significant positive association. However, the reaction was more towards susceptibility in glasshouse screening due to no choice test. Scoring of 250 RILs (F8) for various morphological traits showed wide range of variation indicating the suitability for QTL mapping.     

Overview on current status of biotechnological interventions on yellow stem borer Scirpophaga incertulas (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) resistance in rice

Yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a monophagous pest of paddy is considered as most important pest of rain fed low land and flood prone rice eco-systems. Breeding of yellow stem borer resistance in rice is difficult owing to the complex genetics of the trait, inherent difficulties in screening and poor understanding of the genetics of resistance. On the other hand, a good level of resistance against the widespread yellow stem borer has been rare in the rice germplasm. Resistance to insects has been demonstrated in transgenic plants expressing genes for δ-endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), protease inhibitors, enzymes and plant lectins. The performance of insect resistant GM rice in trials in China has been quite impressive. The present review is an attempt to assess the current state of development in biotechnological intervention for yellow stem borer resistance in rice.     

基于主成分分析水稻植株CH4排放估算模型

估算稻田甲烷（CH4）排放量是开展稻田甲烷排放研究的重要内容之一．通过观测南方红黄壤稻田不同水稻品种甲烷排放通量,测定了16个早稻、20个晚稻品种的植株节间组织的数量特征．选取株高、茎秆长度、茎秆维管束面积／茎壁横切面积、茎壁横切面积／节间横切面积、叶鞘横切面积／节间横切面积、气腔面积／茎壁横切面积、维管束总面积／茎壁横切面积等相关因子进行了主成分分析,建立基于水稻植株的CHa排放估算模型,早、晚稻估算模型相关系数分别为0．827、0．853．同时构造了综合评价函数,得出了水稻品种CH4排放综合分值,与实测结果相比较,吻合度较高．利用估算模型进行模拟,比较模拟值与实测值,相对误差较小,证明模型具有有效性和可行性,为估算水稻CH4排放提供参考依据,为评价水稻品种CH4排放高低提供经验参考．     

Variant cry1Ab entomocidal Bacillus thuringiensis toxin gene facilitates the recovery of an increased number of lepidopteran insect resistant independent rice transformants against yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulus) inflicted damage

The primary technical constraint plant scientists face in generating insect resistant transgenic crops with insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystal protein (Cry) genes remains failing to generate sufficiently large numbers of effective resistant transgenic plant lines. One possible means to overcome this challenge is through deployment of a Cry toxin gene that contains high levels of insecticidal specific activity for target insect pests. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis using a natural variant of the Cry1Ab toxin under laboratory conditions that possessed increased insecticidal potency against the yellow stem borer (YSB, Scirpophaga incertulus), one of the most damaging rice insect pests. Following adoption of a stringent selection strategy for YSB resistant transgenic rice lines under field conditions, results showed recovery of a significantly higher number of YSB resistant independent transgenic plant lines with the variant cry1Ab gene relative to transgenic plant lines harbouring cry1Ab berliner gene. Structural homology modelling of the variant toxin peptide with the Cry1Aa toxin molecule, circular dichroism spectral analysis, and hydropathy plot analysis indicated that serine substitution by phenylalanine at amino acid position 223 of the Cry1Ab toxin molecule resulted in a changed role for α-helix 7 in domain I of Cry1Ab for enhanced toxicity.     

Transgenic rice plants with a synthetic cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis were highly resistant to eight lepidopteran rice pest species

To fully explore the resistance potential of transgenic rice produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, an elite line KMD1 was assessed for its resistance to eight lepidopteran rice pest species. KMD1 contained a synthetic cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis under the control of a maize ubiquitin promoter. It was derived from a commercial japonica Chinese rice variety Xiushui 11, and bred true for both agronomic traits and a cry1Ab gene when the bioassays were done in 1998 in the R₅ generation. The eight lepidopteran pest species were: four Pyralidae species: Chilo suppressalis (striped stem borer, SSB), Scirpophaga incertulas (yellow stem borer, YSB), Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (leaf folder), Herpitogramma licarisalis; two Noctuidae: Sesamia inferens (pink stem borer, PSB) and Naranga anescens; one Stayridae: Mycalesis gotama; and one Hesperiidae, Parnara guttata. In laboratory bioassays, 100% mortality was observed in all insect species when their newly hatched or third-instar larvae were fed KMD1 leaf tissues, whereas only 9.65% of the neonates and none of the third-instar larvae died when fed the leaf tissues of non-transgenic control. Moreover, the leaf area of control tissues consumed in four days by stem borers was 20 to 40 times higher than that of KMD1 tissues, and the area of control tissues eaten by leaf-feeding species was 120 to 180 times greater than that of the transgenic tissues. Under natural infestation, no KMD1 plant was visibly damaged by the SSB, YSB and leaf folder in field evaluation. On the other hand, 80, 9.3 and 88.7% of control plants were injured by SSB, YSB, and leaf folder, respectively. These data disclosed that the transgenic line was highly resistant to a broad spectrum of lepidopteran insect species and could be useful in insect resistance breeding programs.