MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Identification of Cyt2Ba from a New Strain of Bacillus thuringiensis and Its Toxicity in Bradysia difformis

Summary

This research identified a natural bacterial protein that can safely control fungus gnats – a major pest affecting mushroom farms. The protein comes from a soil bacterium and specifically kills the pest insects without harming the mushrooms or leaving harmful residues. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides organic farmers with an environmentally-friendly pest control option – Helps ensure safer mushroom production without chemical pesticide residues – Could lead to lower costs and better quality for mushroom consumers – Demonstrates sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides in agriculture – Supports local mushroom farmers’ ability to control pests effectively

Background

Bradysia difformis is one of the most destructive greenhouse pests affecting edible mushroom cultivation in China. Adult female flies lay eggs on mushrooms, and larvae eat hyphae and fruiting bodies, directly damaging production. While chemical pesticides can control these pests, resistance and residual insecticides pose major threats to the mushroom industry. There is a need for eco-friendly pest management solutions using insecticidal microorganisms like Bacillus thuringiensis.

Objective

To identify and characterize a new Bacillus thuringiensis strain with insecticidal activity against Bradysia difformis and analyze the toxicity of its Cyt2Ba protein as a potential biological control agent for mushroom pest management.

Results

Strain JW-1 showed the highest insecticidal activity with 91.96% mortality against B. difformis larvae while not inhibiting mushroom mycelial growth. The strain was confirmed as B. thuringiensis and its Cyt2 toxin was identified as Cyt2Ba. The purified recombinant Cyt2Ba protein (70 kDa fusion protein) demonstrated strong toxicity against B. difformis larvae with an LC50 of 2.25 ng/mL.

Conclusion

The identification of Cyt2Ba from B. thuringiensis strain JW-1 and confirmation of its insecticidal activity against B. difformis provides a new means of biological control for this important mushroom pest. This offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides in mushroom production.
  • Published in:Current Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1007/s00284-020-02018-y
Scroll to Top