Transgenic Bt-Plants and the Future of Crop Protection (An Overview)

Authors

  • Reda Abdelmonsef Ibrahim Department of Biology, Faculty of science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah P.O. Box 30002, Saudi Arabia
  • Dalia Mohamed Shawer Dept. of Economic Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Elgeish Street, Kafrelsheikh, P.O. Box 33516, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24102/ijafr.v3i1.412

Abstract

One of the best modern agricultural defenses against plant-eating insects is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which either can be applied to the surface of the plant, to provide temporary protection, or can be genetically engineered into the plant to protect it against insects throughout its lifespan. Plants can be genetically engineered to produce their own Bt crystal protein (CP), which is toxic to the pest species of concern. As the insect feeds on the plant, it ingests the CP and suffers the same fate as if the leaf tissue was sprayed with Bt. The use of commercial crops expressing Bt toxins has increased in the recent years due to their advantages in plant protection and lower production costs, however, insects-developed resistance against plant defense mechanisms and the consequent effects of Bt-plants on non target species are hence considered disadvantages. This is still a controversial topic and the question is: Within the next few years, will Bt-plants provide hope for the future of crop protection?

Author Biographies

  • Reda Abdelmonsef Ibrahim, Department of Biology, Faculty of science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah P.O. Box 30002, Saudi Arabia
    Economic Entomology
  • Dalia Mohamed Shawer, Dept. of Economic Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Elgeish Street, Kafrelsheikh, P.O. Box 33516, Egypt
    Economic Entomology

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2014-04-08

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Articles