Question

Explain how the following microbe act as biocontrol agent:

Bacillus thuringiensis

Answer 1

A soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) makes proteins that are poisonous to several insects. Cry proteins result from these proteins crystallising. When insects eat Bt spores, the Cry proteins in their gut become active, rupturing gut cells and ultimately killing the insect. Bt is frequently used as a biopesticide to manage pests such as caterpillars and other agricultural pest larvae. Because it selectively targets insect pests without endangering other organisms, it is regarded as environmentally beneficial.