Diversity of cry genes occurring in the North East

Abstract

The search for new Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains is a continuous process and researchers are now focusing on finding toxin proteins that are toxic to pests of insect orders that are not reported. In the present study soil and insect cadaver samples were collected from North East India comprising the states of Assam, Tripura and Mehhalaya and native Bt were isolated using standard protocols. At total of 30 Bt isolates were purified and characterized. Various types of crystal morphology were encountered that included bipyramidal, cuboidal, square, rhomboid, spherical and irregular. PCR analysis showed that diverse cry genes were expressed. The cry genes identified were Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera specific. Detected genes included cry1Ac, cry2A, cry4A, cry10A, cry16A, cry17A, cry19A, cry30Aa, cry44Aa, cry11A, cry4B, cry12A, cry8A and cry7A. Many of them were positive for Vip3A protein. The coleopteran specific Bt were evaluated against Sitophilus oryzae and Callosobruchus chinensis and NBAIR-AgBt6 was found to be toxic. The isolates are being further evaluated for use as biopesticides.