Mass Production, Application and Market Development of Bacillus thuringiensis Biopesticides in China

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) biopesticides are the most produced bacterial pesticide in China, accounting for more than 95% of the total market share of microbial pesticides. Bt biopesticides are widely used to control agricultural pests, forest and fruit tree pests, storage pests, and medical insects because of their remarkable economic, social, and ecological benefits. The Bt industry in China currently has an output of approximately 30,000 tons (with a potency of 16,000 IU/μl) each year, and annual sales are approximately RMB 100 million yuan. Research and industrialization of Bt in China can be divided into four major stages: starting, primary mass production and application, intensified basic research and application, and in-depth research and large-scale application. This chapter reviews the major aspects of Bt biopesticide research and development, mass production, application, and marketization in China.