In a significant advancement for crop protection biotechnology, researchers have developed a dual-gene system combining Cry2Ab (a Bt toxin gene) and PTA (a plant lectin gene) to achieve broad-spectrum resistance against both chewing and sucking insect pests—a major challenge in cotton cultivation.
Traditional Bt cotton primarily targets chewing pests like Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) but fails to control sap-sucking pests such as Bemisia tabaci (whiteflies) and Myzus persicae (aphids). To overcome this limitation, scientists engineered transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana plants with the combined Cry2Ab + PTA construct.
The results were impressive:
- 74% mortality of aphids (M. persicae),
- 78% mortality of whiteflies (B. tabaci), and
- 83% mortality of fall armyworms (S. frugiperda).
Molecular analyses confirmed stable gene integration and expression, verified through PCR, qRT-PCR, and Southern blot analysis. This dual-gene approach exploits distinct insecticidal mechanisms—Cry2Ab disrupts midgut epithelial cells in chewing insects, while PTA binds to gut glycoproteins in sucking pests, impairing digestion and metabolism.
By combining these mechanisms, the study demonstrates a synergistic defense that not only enhances pest control but also helps delay resistance development seen in single-gene Bt crops. The researchers propose future transformation of these genes into cotton and other crops to achieve durable, environmentally safe, and pesticide-reducing pest management.
This innovation marks a major step toward sustainable agriculture, providing an alternative to heavy pesticide use and offering farmers a resilient genetic defense against multiple pest species.
Reference
Najeebullah, S., Negin, B., Naqvi, R. Z., Asad, S., Mukhtar, Z., Jander, G., & Asif, M. (2025). A combination of cry (Cry2Ab) and plant lectin (PTA) genes confers resistance against major sucking and chewing insect pests of cotton. Molecular Biology Reports, 52(1), 1034. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-025-11079-w
Related posts:
Bacillus velezensis SYL-3 Shows Multifactorial Power in Controlling Fusarium Root Rot and Enhancing Soil Health
Eco-Friendly Biopesticides Show Strong Control Against Fall Armyworm in Cameroon Maize Fields
Bacillus velezensis ATC-AL Emerges as a Natural Shield Against Black Rot in Sweetpotatoes
Indian Scientists Identify Potent Metarhizium Fungi to Combat Fall Armyworm in Maize
Planting Nitrogen-Fixing Species Can Boost Soil Carbon and Fight Climate Change
