Abstract
There is little systematic research on the effect of transgenic maize expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins on insect survival and the response in vivo of their detoxification enzymes. Results of laboratory bioassays indicate that the whorl leaves of transgenic maize lines G03-2396 and G03-2739 significantly affected the survival of neonate and third instar larvae of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee). Neonate mortality two days after being fed on G03-2739 was 72.5% and exceeded 92.5% four days later. The percentage mortality of third instar larvae six days after being fed whorl leaves from G03-2396 exceeded 65%. The resistance of whorl leaves to insect attack was greater than that of maize-ears, but less effective against attacks by third instar larvae. Neonate development was more prolonged when they were fed on whorl leaves of both the transgenic maize lines. In contrast, low pupation (
Highlights
The Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Güenée), is a major pest of maize, sorghum, millet and other cereal upland crops in China
Utilization of insect-resistant transgenic maize could potentially play an important role in controlling the level of damage to maize crops by ACB
The United States of America was one of the first countries in the world to plant transgenic maize crop expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins in order to reduce the damage caused by maize pests (Jiao, 2005)
Summary
The Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Güenée), is a major pest of maize, sorghum, millet and other cereal upland crops in China. Utilization of insect-resistant transgenic maize could potentially play an important role in controlling the level of damage to maize crops by ACB. Field trials in China of a number of domestic Bt maize events have resulted in higher yields, better quality and greater resistance to insect pests. In addition a series of maize lines that are more resistant to insect attack have been screened. He et al (2004) evaluated the resistance of transgenic maize to the Asian corn borer based on the survival of corn borer larvae, leaf consumption, stalk tunneling, tunnel length and the level of damage to maize-ears. Other researchers suggest that the utilization of food by insects, measured in terms of relative food ingestion, food utilization, food conversion and approximate digestive ability of the larvae (James, 2003) under different nutritional conditions may be used as indicators of host plant resistance
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