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Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains have been used for designing novel -
A
Bioinsecticidal plants
B
Bio-mineralization processes
C
Biofertilizers
D
Bio-metallurgical techniques
Detailed Solution
Bacillus thuringiensis produces crystalline proteins (Cry proteins) that are toxic to certain insects.
The toxin exists as an inactive protoxin; in the alkaline gut of the insect it becomes active, binds to the midgut cells and creates pores, killing the insect.
The cry genes coding for these proteins have been isolated and introduced into crop plants such as cotton, corn and brinjal.
Such Bt plants produce the toxin themselves and are protected from pests like bollworms and corn borers; they are bioinsecticidal (insect-resistant) plants.
This reduces the need for chemical insecticides.
So Bt strains have been used for designing novel bioinsecticidal plants.
The toxin exists as an inactive protoxin; in the alkaline gut of the insect it becomes active, binds to the midgut cells and creates pores, killing the insect.
The cry genes coding for these proteins have been isolated and introduced into crop plants such as cotton, corn and brinjal.
Such Bt plants produce the toxin themselves and are protected from pests like bollworms and corn borers; they are bioinsecticidal (insect-resistant) plants.
This reduces the need for chemical insecticides.
So Bt strains have been used for designing novel bioinsecticidal plants.