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Name the pest that destroys the cotton bolls. Explain the role of Bacillus thuringiensis in protecting the cotton crop against the pest to increase the yield. |
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Answer» Species of Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, etc. The cry gene of B. thuringiensis was found to express proteinaceous toxin (Bt-toxin) inside the bacterial cells. When specific insects ingest the toxin, they are killed. The toxin denatures the epithelium of gut by creating many holes at alkaline pH (7.5 - 8). The cry genes expressing Bt-toxin were isolated from B, thtrringiensis and incorporated into crop plants like cotton. This brings about the control of cotton bollworms. In India Bt-cotton was permitted to sow at large scale in fields. |
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