云南HPV-16型E6、E7基因的突变分析

人乳头瘤病毒(Human papillomavirus,HPV)16型(HPV-16)是引起宫颈癌的一种主要高危型病毒,其2个致癌基因E6和E7的核酸序列变异可能会影响其对宿主细胞的致癌性,已有研究表明其序列突变呈现地域差异性。因此,研究不同地域HPV-16这2个基因的变化情况是宫颈癌流行病学调研的主要内容,也可为研究E6和E7的致癌性积累数据。研究以NCBI登录号为NC_001526.2的HPV-16型病毒的序列为参照,采用Neighbor-joining方法对云南地区74例HPV-16样本的E6、E7的DNA序列构建进化树,结果显示:只有亚洲和欧洲变异亚型,而没有发现非洲1、非洲2、亚-美洲和北美洲这4种变异亚型。DNA序列分析显示:E6的碱基突变以T178G(D25E,59.46%)和T350G(L83V,8.11%)为主,E7的碱基突变主要以A647G(N29S,59.46%)和T846C(同义突变,60.81%)为主。发现E6的新突变有A95G(同义突变,1.35%)和A135G(K11R,1.35%);E7的新突变有C625T(L22F,1.35%)、C627T(同义突变,12.16%)、G689A(G43E,1.35%)、T748G(S63A,1.35%)。此外还发现有一个共突变现象:T178G(D25E,59.46%)-A647G(N29S,59.46%)-T843C(同义突变,21.62%)-T846C(同义突变,60.81%)。     

不同林业废弃物配方基质的理化性质及其对西桦幼苗生长效应的综合评价

以林业废弃物木纤维、沤制树皮、椰糠和锯末为基质主料,分别与辅料草炭、黄心土、珍珠岩、蛭石、火烧土和碳化树皮以不同体积比配制16种配方基质,研究了16种配方基质的理化性质及其对西桦(Betula alnoides Buch.-Ham.ex D.Don)幼苗的生长和叶片部分生理指标的影响,综合评价各配方基质对西桦幼苗的育苗效果,并筛选出适宜西桦幼苗生长的最佳配方基质。结果表明:16种配方基质的容重、总孔隙度、通气孔隙度、持水孔隙度、电导率和p H值分别为0.21~0.81 g·cm~(-3)、35.87%~63.35%、2.00%~21.74%、24.78%~53.03%、0.04~0.15 m S·cm~(-1)和p H 5.29~p H 7.43,碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和有机质的含量分别为94.50~652.75 mg·kg~(-1)、3.37~72.67 mg·kg~(-1)、49.50~227.75 mg·kg~(-1)和5.45~43.80 g·kg~(-1)。其中,以林业废弃物为主料的T5[V(沤制树皮)∶V(锯末)∶V(碳化树皮)=6∶3∶1]至T16[V(锯末)∶V(椰糠)∶V(火烧土)∶V(珍珠岩)=3∶3∶2∶2]配方基质的电导率、持水孔隙度、碱解氮含量、速效钾含量和有机质含量总体上显著高于T1[V(黄心土)∶V(锯末)∶V(火烧土)=6∶3∶1]配方基质(对照),容重显著低于对照。不同配方基质中西桦幼苗的根冠比、单株根干质量和叶片叶绿素a含量与叶绿素b含量的比值的差异较小,其他生长指标和生理指标均存在明显差异,其中,T11[V(木纤维)∶V(草炭)∶V(椰糠)=4∶3∶3]和T12[V(木纤维)∶V(草炭)∶V(椰糠)=3∶4∶3]配方基质中西桦幼苗的单株茎叶干质量、单株根干质量、单株总干质量、株高增长量、地径增长量、高径比、苗木质量指数和叶片总叶绿素含量均高于或显著高于对照,表现出明显的生长优势。综合评价结果显示:T11和T12配方基质中西桦幼苗的综合评价指数较高,分别为0.444和0.440,西桦幼苗实际生长效果也较佳。为了减少草炭使用量,建议将T11配方基质作为西桦幼苗育苗的最佳配方基质。     

2002年生物奥赛冬令营实验试题

(一)遗传实验学部分第二个玉米果穗标本(编号: )各种性状的计数性状(性状1)(性状2)...... 总计第一次计数第二次计数平均数(O)预期比例理论数(T) X2=查表,得x2f,0.05=X2X2f,0.05查表,得x2f,0.05=X2X2f,0.05一、实验操作及计算题:每人所观察的玉米果穗标本为子二代。涉及的性状包括甜(su)、非甜(Su)、有色(C)、无色(c)。通过对一个玉米果穗标本各种性状的计数。测这些性状按照什么遗传规律进行遗传。要求每人计数2个果穗(标出果穗上对应的编号),对每一穗应单独进行分析,将观察的…     

上海地区HIV毒株基因亚型分布及原发基因耐药的分子流行病学研究

本文通过对未经抗病毒治疗患者的人类免疫缺陷病毒1型（HIV-1）毒株进行检测,了解上海地区HIV-1的亚型分布及原发耐药基因变异现状。对118例未经治疗的HIV感染者其标本中HIV蛋白酶全长和部分反转录酶基因进行反转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）扩增,经DNA测序后进行系统进化树分析和重组分析,以确定HIV-1基因亚型和重组体,并与斯坦福耐药数据库比对,了解耐药性突变位点。使用斯坦福REGA HIV亚型分型工具和美国国立生物技术信息中心（NCBI）HIV亚型分析工具分析亚型,获得118例患者的HIV基因序列,基因分型分别为CRF01_AE重组体57例(48.3%)、B亚型36例(30.5%)、CRF07_BC 15例 (12.7%)、CRF08_BC 7例(5.9%)、C亚型2例(1.7%),亚型间或重组体间二重重组体(B/CRF01_A E)1例(0.8%)。蛋白酶抑制剂(PI)和反转录酶抑制剂相关的耐药基因突变率达54.2%（64/118）,其中2例（1.7%）发生PI耐药,基因突变位点：M46L、Q58E。5例(4.1%)对反转录酶抑制剂产生耐药,其中对核苷类反转录酶抑制剂（NRTI）和非核苷类反转录酶抑制剂（NNRTI）的耐药率分别为3例(2.4%)和5例(4.1%)。基因突变位点：NRTI为M41L、D67N、T69I/N/S、K70L、L74V、V75L、V118I、M184V、L210W/F/M/S和T215F;NNRTI为V90I、L100V、K103R/N、V106M/P/I/G、E138G/A、V179E/D/T、Y181C、G190A、H221Y、F227L、K238S和Y318F。结果提示,上海地区HIV毒株以CRF01_AE重组亚型为主,且发现新的重组体,可能出现新重组体流行的趋势。PI和反转录酶抑制剂相关的耐药基因突变率较高,且存在高度原发耐药毒株,应加强HIV-1耐药基因变异监测,科学、合理地给予抗病毒治疗。     

定点突变改善PvEH1对邻甲基苯基缩水甘油醚的催化特性

环氧化物水解酶能够对外消旋环氧化物进行动力学拆分保留单构型的环氧化物。测定了菜豆环氧化物水解酶(Pv EH1)针对苯基缩水甘油醚及其甲基衍生物的催化特性,并基于分子对接及多序列比对分析确定7个突变位点,通过单点和组合突变对Pv EH1进行改造,以期改善Pv EH1对邻甲基苯基缩水甘油醚(1a)的催化特性。底物谱分析表明Pv EH1对1a的催化活性(157.2U/g湿细胞)和对映选择性(E=5.6)最高。单点突变结果显示E.coli/pveh1~(L105I)和E.coli/pveh1~(V106I)对1a的催化活性和对映选择性均有明显提高;L105I和V106I位组合突变菌株E.coli/pveh1~(L105I/V106I)的催化活性(493.8U/g湿细胞)是E.coli/pveh1的3.1倍,对映选择性(E=8.3)也提高至E.coli/pveh1的1.5倍。纯化后Pv EH1~(L105I/V106I)的催化活性为17.6U/mg,是Pv EH1的1.5倍,对1a的催化效率提高至Pv EH1的2.1倍。SDS-PAGE分析表明提高了蛋白质的可溶性表达量。利用E.coli/pveh1~(L105I/V106I)全细胞催化100mmol/L 1a水解动力学拆分获得手性纯(R)-1a(ee96%)的产率和时空产率分别为31.2%和5.12g/(L·h),因此,在手性纯(R)-1a的制备中,E.coli/pveh1~(L105I/V106I)是一种颇具潜力的生物催化剂。     

黄绿木霉对温室番茄生长发育和内源激素的调控效应(英文)

利用黄绿木霉T1010制剂(Trichoderma aureviride 1010)处理多年连作番茄的日光温室土壤,探索其对日光温室番茄生长发育的影响及其机理.结果显示:与常规生产区相比,黄绿木霉T1010处理的日光温室番茄根、茎、叶的生长和果实发育指标都得到不同程度的改善,其主根长、侧根长、侧根数和单株根系干重分别提高13.15%、28.21%、49.40%、2.89%,单株茎干重、功能叶长、单功能叶干重和单株叶干重分别提高114.93%、14.17%、42.69%、29.94%,单株果穗数、已采收果穗数、单果穗座果数、单果重和小区产量分别提高9.33%、389.19%、37.60%、30.46%、20.00%,而第1果穗高度则降低19.45%,且除单株根系干重和单株果穗数外均达到极显著水平(P<0.01);相应番茄植株功能叶内源激素水平均极显著同步提高,低温胁迫下的赤霉素(GA)、玉米素核苷(ZR)、吲哚乙酸(IAA)和脱落酸(ABA)分别提高42.10%、33.16%、60.97%、119.40%.研究发现,黄绿木霉T1010可能主要是通过调控日光温室番茄的内源激素水平来有效改善其根、茎、叶的生长和果实发育状况,促进秋冬季日光温室番茄的可持续生产.     

大田遮阴对夏玉米籽粒形成过程中内源激素作用的影响

以振杰2号(ZJ2)、登海605(DH605)和郑单958(ZD958)为试验材料,大田条件下设置花粒期遮阴(S1)、穗期遮阴(S2)和全生育期遮阴(S3)3个处理,遮光度为60%,以自然光为对照(CK),研究大田遮阴对夏玉米籽粒形成过程中内源激素作用的影响.结果表明:遮阴条件下,雌穗原基分化的总小花数、花丝数、受精小花数均较CK不同程度地减少,败育籽粒数增多,不同处理的穗粒数表现为CKS2S1S3,S2、S1和S3的穗粒数较CK平均减少18.9%、43.7%和80.8%.遮阴后玉米籽粒的吲哚乙酸(IAA)、赤霉素(GA)和玉米素核苷(ZR)含量较CK略有降低,脱落酸(ABA)含量升高;且各处理的同一激素含量随籽粒发育的变化趋势一致.与正常籽粒相比,败育籽粒IAA含量的峰值由20 d前移至10 d,且积累少、下降快;GA和ZR含量均显著降低,而ABA含量在花后20 d内始终保持较高水平.因此,籽粒激素含量的变化可能是遮阴引起籽粒败育进而降低产量的重要原因之一.     

干旱对东北春玉米生长发育和产量的影响

选取玉米品种丹玉39为供试材料,利用大型农田水分控制试验场,采用大田池栽方式,在玉米三叶-拔节期、拔节-吐丝期、吐丝-乳熟期分别开展中度干旱胁迫及复水控制对比试验,分析3个关键生育时期干旱胁迫对春玉米生长发育和产量的影响.结果表明：与水分适宜对照（CK）相比,三叶-拔节期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期推迟13 d,至拔节普遍期,株高偏低29.8%,叶面积偏小41.2%,复水后,株高和产量得到较大程度恢复,果穗性状和最终产量差异不大;拔节-吐丝期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期缩短7 d,至吐丝普遍期,株高偏低18.6%,叶面积偏小14.1%,果穗长、穗粒数、果穗干质量、穗粒质量分别下降6.9%、19.1%、28.1%和29.4%,空秆率增加13.3%;吐丝-乳熟期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期缩短15 d,生长至乳熟普遍期,株高偏低2.3%,叶面积偏小37.3%,果穗长、穗粒数、果穗干质量、穗粒质量分别下降9.2%、24.1%、30.8%和27.9%,空秆率增加24.5%.拔节-吐丝期、吐丝-乳熟期干旱胁迫处理并复水后,玉米株高恢复不明显,产量降幅显著.     

枯草杆菌蛋白酶E的156和165位突变

应用定点突变方法,在M222A突变的枯草杆菌蛋白酶E基因上进行E156S和V165I定点突变. 将突变基因插入大肠杆菌-枯草杆菌穿梭质粒pBE-2中,在碱性和中性蛋白酶缺陷型的枯草杆菌DB104中进行表达,得到突变种(M222A,E156S)和(M222A,E156S,V165I)蛋白酶E. 性质测定表明,E156S突变使蛋白酶比活力增加90%,并不影响酶的热稳定性和抗氧化性. 而V165I突变使蛋白酶比活力降低.     

具抗肿瘤活性放线菌菌株YIM 90022的分离和系统发育分析

从青海盐碱土壤样品中分离到一株兼性嗜碱放线菌YIM 90022,该菌株的发酵产物具有很强的体外抗胃癌、肺癌、乳腺癌、皮肤癌、肾癌和子宫癌肿瘤细胞株活性。基于16S rRNA基因序列的系统发育分析表明,菌株YIM90022属于拟诺卡氏属(Nocardiopsis)的成员,与该属的4个有效发表种N.exhalansDSM 44407T,N.prasinaDSM43845T,N.metallicusDSM 44598T和N.listeriDSM 40297T系统发育关系最密切,与其分别以98.8%,98.5%,98.4%和97.8%的16S rRNA基因核苷酸序列相似性聚为一簇。但菌株YIM 90022不与这4个有效种中任何一个单独相聚,形成了一个独立亚分枝。结合形态特征、生理生化特性、细胞化学分类特征,以及rep-PCR基因指纹分析等方面的研究结果,菌株YIM 90022可能为拟诺卡氏菌属的一个潜在新种。菌株YIM 90022在大多数培养基上生长良好,气生菌丝和基内菌丝丰富,在酵母膏麦芽膏琼脂、燕麦片琼脂等培养基中产生可溶性色素。生长pH范围6.0~12.0,最适pH 8.5;能在含0~15%NaCl(W/V)的培养基上生长。     

碳源和氮源对5-酮基-葡萄糖酸生成的影响

氧化葡萄糖杆菌Gluconobacter oxydans可以将葡萄糖氧化成葡萄糖酸,并进一步氧化成2-酮基-葡萄糖酸(2KGA)和5-酮基-葡萄糖酸(5KGA),其中5KGA在催化剂的作用下能够转化为L(+)-酒石酸。为了提高5-酮基-葡萄糖酸产量,以仅生成5KGA的氧化葡萄糖杆菌Gluconobacter oxydans HGI-1为出发菌株,研究不同碳源(蔗糖、乳糖、麦芽糖、淀粉、葡萄糖)和有机氮源(酵母浸粉、鱼粉、玉米浆、黄豆饼粉、棉籽饼粉)对5KGA产量的影响。500 mL摇瓶试验结果表明,当葡萄糖浓度为100 g/L时,5KGA产量最高为98.20 g/L;当有机氮源为酵母浸粉、鱼粉和玉米浆,其添加量的蛋白含量为1.60%时,5KGA产量分别为100.20 g/L、109.10 g/L和99.83 g/L,其中,使用鱼粉的5KGA产量最高,使用玉米浆的5KGA产量比酵母浸粉略低。出于经济考虑,文中选择玉米浆作有机氮源,并在5 L发酵罐中进行分批发酵放大试验,5KGA的产量为93.80 g/L,最大生成速率为3.48 g/(L·h),平均生成速率为1.56 g/(L·h)。结果表明,葡萄糖和玉米浆分别为Gluconobacter oxydans HGI-1规模化生产5KGA的最适碳源和氮源,可利用葡萄糖几乎全部(85.93%)转化为5KGA。     

Tumulduria incomperta and the case for Tommotian trilobites

The enigmatic fossil Tumulduria incomperta Missanhevsky 1969 from the basal Tommotian Stage at 'Dvortsy' on the Aldan River, Siberian Platform, is reinvestigated in light of the report (Fedorov et al. 1979, Dokl. AN SSSR 249) of trilobite remains from the same beds. Comparisons of these supposed trilobites with old and new collections from 'Dvortsy' leave no doubt that they are identical to Tumulduria incomperta. Tumulduria is represented by phosphatic plates with a crude bilateral symmetry, consisting of a central longitudinal rounded ridge flanked by flat lateral portions. They are built of growth lamellae overlapping each other along the axis of symmetry. The surface carries prominent transverse folds and lamellar terminations. There is considerable morphological variation, and the similarity of some specimens to trilobites is only superficial. Tumulduria is interpreted as a bilaterally symmetrical metazoan with a dorsal protective plate; it probably represents a short-lived group that left no descendants.     

Ear deformities, otoplasty, and ear reconstruction

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After reviewing this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Evaluate patient's ears for needed adjustments to size, shape, prominence, and symmetry. 2. Identify common ear deformities and describe methods to repair them. 3. Avoid or manage common complications associated with otoplasty and ear reconstruction. SUMMARY: The essentials of otoplasty will be described/illustrated for the following conditions: Prominent ears, underdeveloped helical rims (shell ear), macrotia, Stahl's ear, constricted ear, cryptotia, and question mark ear.     

Co-regulation Of ear growth and internode elongation in corn

Ear is the harvest part of corn (Zea mays L.) and we are interested in studying its growth and development in our effort in corn yield improvement. In our current study, we examined the relationship between ear growth and internode characteristics using different approaches. Correlations between stem growth rate and number of ears per plant (prolificacy) were assessed among several genotypes. Internode elongation of 2 genotypes was modified by plant hormones and by population density manipulations. Among the 7 genotypes examined that have different prolificacy levels, there was a general correlation of slower stem elongation at middle growth stages and larger ear number. When the internode elongation was enhanced by application of gibberellic acid (GA), ear growth was suppressed; and when a GA synthesis inhibitor uniconazole was applied at early stages, internode length was reduced and ear growth was promoted in terms of both ear size and visible ear number at silking stage. Higher population density caused longer internodes and fewer ears per plant and the effect of lower density was the opposite. Our results suggested that internode elongation in the middle section of corn plants was linked to suppression of ear development in corn.     

Field screening of experimental corn hybrids and inbred lines for multiple ear-feeding insect resistance

Identifying and using native insect resistance genes is the core of integrated pest management. In this study, 10 experimental corn, Zea mays L., hybrids and 10 inbred lines were screened for resistance to major ear-feeding insects in the southeastern Coastal Plain region of the United States during 2004 and 2005. Ear-feeding insect damage was assessed at harvest by visual damage rating for the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and by the percentage of kernels damaged by the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, and stink bugs [combination of Euschistus servus (Say) and southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.)]. Among the eight inbred lines and two control populations examined, C3S1B73-5b was resistant to corn earworm, maize weevil, and stink bugs. In contrast, C3S1B73-4 was resistant to corn earworm and stink bugs, but not to maize weevil. In a similar manner, the corn hybrid S1W*CML343 was resistant to all three ear-feeding insects, whereas hybrid C3S1B73-3*Tx205 was resistant to corn earworm and maize weevil in both growing seasons, but susceptible to stink bugs in 2005. The silk-feeding bioassay showed that corn earworm developed better on corn silk than did fall armyworm. Among all phenotypic traits examined (i.e., corn ear size, husk extension, and husk tightness), only corn ear size was negatively correlated to corn earworm damage in the inbred lines examined, whereas only husk extension (i.e., coverage) was negatively correlated to both corn earworm and maize weevil damage on the experimental hybrids examined. Such information could be used to establish a baseline for developing agronomically elite corn germplasm that confers multiple ear-feeding insect resistance.     

Impact of brown stink bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) feeding on corn grain yield components and quality

Brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), damage on developing corn, Zea mays L., ears was examined in 2005 and 2006 by using eight parameters related to its yield and kernel quality. Stink bug infestations were initiated when the corn plants were at tasseling (VT), mid-silking (R1), and blister (R2) stages by using zero, three, and six in 2005 or zero, one, two, and four bugs per ear in 2006, and maintained for 9 d. The percentage of discolored kernels was affected by stink bug number in both years, but not always affected by plant growth stage. The growth stage effect on the percentage of discolored kernels was significant in 2006, but not in 2005. The percentage of aborted kernels was affected by both stink bug number and plant growth stage in 2005 but not in 2006. Kernel weight was significantly reduced when three E. sercus adults were confined on a corn ear at stage VT or R1 for 9 d in 2005, whereas one or two adults per ear resulted in no kernel weight loss, but four E. servus adults did cause significant kernel weight loss at stage VT in 2006. Stink bug feeding injury at stage R2 did not affect kernel damage, ear weight or grain weight in either year. The infestation duration (9 or 18 d) was positively correlated to the percentage of discolored kernels but did not affect kernel or ear weight. Based on the regression equations between the kernel weight and stink bug number, the gain threshold or economic injury level should be 0.5 bugs per ear for 9 d at stage VT and less for stage R1. This information will be useful in developing management guidelines for stink bugs in field corn during ear formation and early grain filling stages.     

Symmetry of a Vertebrate Muscle Basketweave Z-Band

The Z-band in vertebrate striated muscle links actin filaments of opposite polarity in adjacent sarcomeres to form a regular structure based on a tetragonal lattice. In transverse sections there are two commonly observed appearances of the Z-band seen in different muscles, namely, the small-square lattice and the basketweave forms. A clear example of the latter occurs in the fin muscle of the flatfish plaice and its symmetry is described here. Improved methods over previous work include fast freezing/freeze-substitution and lattice straightening of the scanned images. It is demonstrated here that when a longitudinal section is tilted in the electron microscope about the myofibril axis, the 10 and 01 projections are mirror images of each other about the centre of the Z-hand. By examining the symmetry relationships between these views and a longitudinal 11 projection and a transverse view, it is concluded that the symmetry is best described by the two-sided plane group c12. The twofold axis lies in the central plane of the Z-band along the diagonal of the primitive lattice and runs normal to the actin filaments. In contrast, the symmetry of the simple Z-band in fish myotomal white muscle, which in longitudinal sections has the appearance of a single zigzag structure, is p12₁ (Luther, P. K. (1991), J. Cell Biol. 113, 1043-1055).     

Excitation of Multiple Fano-Like Resonances Induced by Higher Order Plasmon modes in Three-Layered Bimetallic Nanoshell Dimer

The presence of plasmonic Fano-like resonances in the optical response of isolated and dimer metal-dielectric-metal nanostructures are investigated theoretically. The nanostructures are engineered in such a way to support multiple Fano-like resonances that are induced by the interference of bright and dark plasmon modes. It is found that the dimer resonators exhibit different types of Fano resonances for both the transverse and longitudinal polarizations unlike conventional nanodimers. Several configurations of the dimer Fano resonator are analyzed with special emphasis on the Fano spectral line shape. Breaking the symmetry of the dimer nanostructure in various directions control the asymmetric line shape and provides different kinds of unique Fano resonances. In certain cases, the Fano resonators exhibit multiple Fano resonances that are particularly significant for plasmon line shaping and can serve as platforms for multi-wavelength sensing applications.     

Assessment of experimental Bt events against fall armyworm and corn earworm in field corn

Performance of experimental Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) MON events alone and pyramided with MON810 were evaluated over 3 yr in Georgia and Alabama. Ability of events to prevent whorl defoliation by the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and natural ear feeding damage by the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) was assessed. In each year, near-isogenic hybrids with novel single transformation events and crosses pyramided with the MON810 event were compared with the standard single MON810 event and nontransformed susceptible control. Events were tested for resistance to whorl damage by manual infestations of fall armyworm and ear damage by natural infestations of corn earworm. All Bt events tested reduced fall armyworm whorl damage ratings per plant compared with the susceptible hybrid. All Bt treatments also had considerably less ear infestation and damage by corn earworm compared with the nontransgenic isoline. The MON841, MION849, and MON851 events reduced ear damage by H. zea but were not as effective as other novel events and were not advanced for further testing after the 1999 season. Pyramiding events compared with single events did not improve control of fall armyworm whorl damage, but they generally did prevent more ear damage by corn earworm. The MON84006 event singly and pyramided with MON810 had superior control of whorl-stage damage by S. frugiperda and ear damage by H. zea compared with MON810. Deployment of new events and genes could provide additional tools for managing the potential for insect resistance to Bt toxins. Furthermore, improved control of whorl and ear infestations by H. zea and S. frugiperda would increase the flexibility of planting corn, Zea mays L., and permit double cropping of corn in areas where these pests perennially reach damaging levels.     

Plant-incorporated Bacillus thuringiensis resistance for control of fall armyworm and corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), perennially cause leaf and ear damage to corn, Zea mays L., in the southeastern United States. Transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) hybrids with the Bt11, MON810, or 176 events expressing the Cry1Ab insecticidal endotoxin from were evaluated for control fall armyworm and corn earworm at seven locations in Georgia during 1999 and 2000. Corn was planted at the recommended time for each location and 1 and 2 mo later in the southern locations. All Bt events consistently reduced whorl infestation and damage, although event 176 did not prevent whorl damage in the later plantings in the southern locations in both years. All events also reduced seedling damage by the lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller), in one trial and stalk infestations and tunnel length by southwestern corn borers, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar, in another trial. Hybrids containing Bt11 and MON810 events reduced ear infestations in all trials, although reductions were small in later plantings. Nevertheless, both events reduced grain damage from earworms and armyworms by an average +/- SE of 52.5 +/- 5.1% in all trials. The hybrid containing event 176 did not reduce ear infestations and damage. Total grain aflatoxin concentrations were not significantly affected by Bt resistance in any trial (N = 17). Yield responses were variable with the prevention of yield loss being proportional to the severity of insect damage. Although plantings made after the recommended time did not consistently benefit from Bt resistance, Bt11 and MON810 events were effective in reducing damage to field corn when large infestations occurred. The Bt11 and MON810 events mitigated the risk of severe lepidopteran damage to corn, thereby making later plantings of corn feasible in double-cropping systems.