Interaction of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 and Vip3A proteins with Spodoptera frugiperda midgut binding sites

Vip3Aa, Vip3Af, Cry1Ab, and Cry1Fa were tested for their toxicities and binding interactions. Vip3A proteins were more toxic than Cry1 proteins. Binding assays showed independent specific binding sites for Cry1 and Vip3A proteins. Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa competed for the same binding sites, whereas Vip3Aa competed for those of Vip3Af. Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Bacillus Thuringiensis mutant increase activity against Apodoptera Frugiperda larvae

Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive bacterium which main characteristic is the production of Cry proteins, that is toxic to some insects. These proteins, when ingested by susceptible insects, become active causing their death. In nature, it is possible to found B. thuringiensis strains which produce these proteins, but they differ in productivity (some of these isolates are more productive then others), and as to the toxicity levels of the produced proteins. Two B. thuringiensis strains that were highly effective against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae were chosen to verifying genetic mutation implication on Cry proteins productivity. One strain with a prolific spores production, while the other one only produced small amounts of spores. A genomic mutant library of these two isolates was, separately, constructed by genome Tn-5 transposon random insertion. Data analysis showed that mutation had a direct effect on the spores production, inducing an increase as well as a decrease in the production, according to the different strain observed. These results indicate, for the first time, that it is possible to use the described technique with B. thuringiensis, as well as the possibility to genetically breeding this bacteria. Another possibility introduced here is the possibility to do functional genetic studies mediated by mutagenesis in this bacterium.

Corn yield with reduction of insecticidal sprayings against fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The ideal time is more important than amount of insecticidal spraying to adequate the control of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn. This study aimed to evaluate lufenuron sequential sprayings effect and its rotation with other active ingredients on the population, damage caused by S. frugiperda and the impact on corn yield. The experiment was carried out in the field with six treatments: (1) one lufenuron spraying, (2) two lufenuron sprayings, (3) three lufenuron sprayings (4) four lufenuron sprayings, (5) sprayings with spinosad, lufenuron, thiamethoxam+lambdacyhalothrin and deltamethrin (in sequence, at ten days intervals) (6) control treatment. Sprayings started twenty days after the seedling had emerged and then every ten days for a maximum of four sprays. Both caterpillar population (20.9-21.7 larvae/plot) and index of damage (1.2-1.7) observed in corn plants were significantly lower in treated plots compared to control (untreated) (31.7 larvae/plot and index of damage 2.7), regardless of spraying amount. The results showed that multiple insecticide applications to control S. frugiperda do not guarantee higher yields in corn, ranging from 6375.2 to 7650.1 kg ha -1. Only one spraying of lufenuron was enough to prevent significant reduction in corn yield (6749.9 kg ha -1). © 2012 Asian Network for Scientific Information.

Air-assistance in spray booms which have different spray volumes and nozzle types for chemically controlling spodoptera frugiperda on corn

The study aimed to evaluate the performance of air assistance in spray booms using different types of nozzles and spray volumes. We took into account spray deposits, fall armyworm control and crop corn performance in a narrow row cropping system. The experiment was carried out at the experimental area of Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu/SP, Brazil, during the 2008/2009 agricultural season, in randomized blocks with a factorial scheme (2×2+1) and four replications. Two spray nozzles (flat fan nozzle and hollow cone nozzle) were tested, combined with two air assistance levels in the spray boom (with and without air assistance) and a treatment control. In the experimental spraying, Spinosad insecticide was sprayed in amounts of 48 g active substance (a.s.)/ha. The air assistance in the spray boom increased the spray deposits in the V 4 growth stage of the corn plants. Moreover, the application of this technology showed higher efficiency on fall armyworm control, reaching a 100% level 15 days after spraying, in the V 10 growth stage of the plants. The hollow cone nozzle increased the spray deposit level on the corn plants compared with the flat fan nozzle, at growth stage V 4. However, the flat fan nozzle, combined with air assistance technology, was more effective for controlling fall armyworm in the same growth stage (V 4), although the hollow cone nozzle increased the deposit levels on the plants. All the technologies tested in the study promoted a reduction of plant damage from fall armyworm attack. Corn productivity is directly related to the control efficiency of fall armyworm.

Effects of spray nozzles and spray volume on spodoptera frugiperda management and narrow row corn performance

The high demand of pesticides in the production systems makes the application technology one of the main alternatives to optimize the products efficiency. In this context, the study aimed to evaluate the effects of spray nozzles and spray volumes on spraying deposits, armyworm control and crop corn performance in narrow row sowing system. The experiment was carried out at experimental area of Sao Paulo State University, Campus of Botucatu/SP, Brazil, during the 2009/2010 agricultural season, in randomized blocks with factorial scheme (2x2+1) and four replications. It was tested two flat fan spray nozzles (with and without air induction) combined with two spray volumes (100 and 200 L ha-1) plus a control treatment. There was no influence of spray nozzles (without air induction) in the spray deposits levels on plants. However, the flat fan nozzle with air induction was more effective on fall armyworm, with 100% of control against 47.84% from other at 15 days after spraying. The increase in the spray volume promoted high spray deposits (415.4 and 388.6 μL g-1 dry mass for flat fan nozzle with and without air induction, respectively at V10 growth stage) and consequently, the highest spray volume (200 L-1) was more efficient in the fall armyworm suppression, with 100% of control. All the technologies tested showed lower plant injury from fall armyworm. The insecticide sprayed with different technologies did not affect the parameters of plant height and leaf area index. The corn productivity was directly related with control efficiency of fall armyworm. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.

Efeitos da interação e toxicidade das proteínas Cry1 e Vip3Aa de Bacillus thuringiensis, Berliner em Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária - FCAV

Dinâmica dos fatores de mortalidade de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em milho com e sem liberação de Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Bioecologia comparada de duas linhagens de Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) parasitando ovos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Resistência de cultivares de amendoim de hábitos de crescimento ereto e rasteiro a Spodoptera frugiperda, em laboratório

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fatores naturais e Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) na mortalidade de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em milho

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Isolamento, caracterização molecular e expressão de um novo gene vip3Aa50 de Bacillus thuringiensis virulento para Anticarsia gemmatalis e Spodoptera frugiperda

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Genética e Melhoramento de Plantas) - FCAV

Caracterização de isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis patogênicos à Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Expressão dos genes Vip3Aa e Cry1Ia em Escherichia coli efetivos no controle de Spodoptera frugiperda

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise da expressão gênica em isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis por PCR tempo real visando o controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) de diferentes populações brasileiras

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Obtenção de mutantes de Bacillus thuringiensis por inserção do transposon Tn-5 e avaliação da toxicidade frente a larvas de Spodoptera frugiperda

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)