Bloodworm resistant rice (2005)

Hughes, P. A

2005

This CRC project investigated the feasibility to control bloodworm infestation in rice using transgenic plants expressing an insecticidal toxin. Conventional Bloodworm control is obtained through insecticides applied at planting. It was known that the insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis
(Bti) are toxic to bloodworm. The most toxic protein was Cry11A, closely followed by Cry4B, with LCs of 550 and 980 ng toxin per ml, respectively. The project investigated the possibility to use these to control bloodworm. Progress was made and demonstration of bloodworm activity and reactions to the toxins is a major step forward and we are now in a strong position to continue the project