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Characterization and Evaluation of Local Bacillus thuringiensis Strains for the Biological Control of Agricultural Insect Pests

Characterization and Evaluation of Local Bacillus thuringiensis Strains for the Biological Control of Agricultural Insect Pests

Written by asaedya on .

Numerous microorganisms have been employed in the management of agricultural pests; however, the emphasis on the commercial aspects of these biocontrol agents has only intensified over the last two decades. This shift is a direct result of scientific advancements in biological control and increasing public concern regarding the hazards of chemical pesticides. Known the adverse effects associated with chemical control over the past fifty years, including risks to human health, disruptions of ecological balance and biodiversity (such as impacts on natural enemy populations and soil microbiota, and the emergence of pesticide resistance in pest populations, there is an urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives. This has led to the promotion of biopesticides, or biological control, which utilizes living organisms or their derivatives to suppress and manage pest populations.

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Research Objectives

  1. Isolation and characterization:To isolate Bacillus thuringiensis from Libyan agricultural soils and characterize the isolates based on physiological properties and morphological traits, specifically endospore formation and the presence and morphology of parasporal crystals.
  2. Strain preservation:To preserve and store the isolated bacterial strains using standardized protocols and establish a local nomenclature/numbering system.
  3. Molecular fingerprinting:To investigate the genetic diversity of local isolates and compare them with reference strains using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
  4. Genotypic screening:To detect and classify the specific genes responsible for the synthesis of insecticidal crystalline proteins (Cry toxins).
  5. Proteomic analysis:To analyze the protein profiles of each strain via SDS-PAGE to evaluate the similarities between local isolates and international reference strains.
  6. Bioefficacy assessment:To test and evaluate the toxicity of proteins extracted from local strains against selected agricultural pests under laboratory conditions.