The challenge of bacillus thuringiensis. Historiacal overview: from discovery until 1980s. The 1980s: a decade of change. The future challenge. Diversity of bacillus thuringiensis toxins and genes. Diversity of B. thuringiensis strains and toxins. Localization and molecular organization of the toxin genes. The crystal protein genes and products. Regulation of crystal synthesis. Domain-function studies of bacillus thuringiensis crystal proteins: a genetic approach. Mode of action structural features of crystal proteins. Crystal protein mutants. Crystal protein hybrids. Transgenic bacteria, viruses, algae and other microorganisms as bacillus thuringiensis toxin delivery systems. Conventional B. thuringiensis products: do they nedd to be improved?. The use of transgenic microorganisms to improve insect host range. Improving foliar acticity and delivery. Improving aquatic activity and delivery. Improving soil activity and delivery. Issues in the development of transgenic microorganisms. The engineering of plants to express bacillus thuringiensis -endotoxins. Expression of -endotoxins in dicotyledons. Expression of -endotoxins in monocotyledons. Quantification of -endotoxins expression in planta. Enhancement of -endotoxin expression in planta. Endophyte expression of -endotoxin genes in plants. Control of lepidopteran pests with bacillus thuringiensis. Conventional and genetically engineered b. thuringiensis. Products. Microbial specificity of b. thuringiensis in lepidopteran pests. Entomological aspects of lepidopteran pest control with B. thuringiensis. Integration of B. thuringiensis in lepidopteran pest control strategies. Use of bacillus thuringiensis israelensis against mosquitoes and blackflies. Properties of B. thuringiensis israelensis. Factors influencing the efficacy of B. thuringiensis israelensis treatments. Organization of mosquito control programmes. Successful control programmes using B. thuringiesis israelensis. Future prospects for the use of B. thuringiensis israelensis. Control of coleopteran pests by bacillus thuringiensis. B. thuringiensis tenebrionis products and their registration. Characterization of B. thuringiensis tenebrionis and other coleopteran-active subspecies. Host range of B. thuringiensis tenebrionis and susceptibility levels of some pest species. The impact of B. thuringiensis tenebrionis on nor-target animals. Control of coleoptera by -exotoxin. Field trials with B. thuringiensis tenebrionis. Future prospects. Bacillus thuringiensis in the environment: ecology and risk assessment. Role in the environment. Risk assessment. Resistance to bacillus thuringiensis and resistance management. Field resistance development to B. thuringiensis. Laboratory selection for resistance. Cross resistance of B. thuringiensis to chemicals and other B. thuringiensis strains. Genetics of resistance. Mechanisms of resistance. Strategies for delaying resistance development. The use of bacillus thuringiensis in developing countries. History and usage of B. thuringiensis in developing nations. Strain survey and selection. Production levels and costs. Inexpensive and local fermentation media. Low technology fermentation procedures. Stability and formulation. Field application. Further development of B. thuringiensis. Future role for B. thuringiensis in developing countries. Production of bacillus thuringiensis insecticides for experimental and commercial uses. Optimization of production methods. Production methods for B. thuringiensis. Quality control.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been used as a biopesticide in agriculture, forestry and mosquito control because of its advantages of specific toxicity against target insects, lack of polluting residues and safety to non-target organisms. The insecticidal properties of this bacterium are due to insecticidal proteins produced during sporulation. Despite these ecological benefits, the use of Bt biopesticides has lagged behind the synthetic chemicals. Genetic improvement of Bt natural strains, in particular Bt recombination, offers a promising means of improving efficacy and cost-effectiveness of Bt-based bioinsecticide products to develop new biotechnological applications. On the other hand, the different Bacillus species have important biotechnological applications; one of them is carried out by producing secondary metabolites, which are the study object of natural product chemistry. The amazing structural variability of these compounds has attracted the curiosity of chemists and the biological activities possessed by natural products have inspired the pharmaceutical industry to search for lead structures in microbial extracts. Screening of microbial extracts reveals the large structural diversity of natural compounds with broad biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antiviral, immunosuppressive, and antitumor activities that enable the bacterium to survive in its natural environment. These findings widen the target range of Bacillus spp., in special B. thuringiensis, besides insecticidal activity and help people to better understand its role in soil ecosystem.

"This monograph contains four chapters, each of which provides a different perspective on biopesticides. Chapter One concerns the use of biopesticides in sustainable agriculture, including the interactions between biopesticides and chemical pesticides, production issues, and opportunities for future research. Chapter Two describes the bottom-up approach for using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as a biopesticide and for enhancing host plant resistance against major foliage feeders through deployment of suitable cry genes. Chapter Three reviews strategies for mitigating the spread of Bt resistance and improving insecticidal activity against Bt-susceptible pests. Lastly, Chapter Four aims to revise, debate, and evaluate the effects of Bt as phosphate solubilizing and phosphorus uptake by plant establishment"--

In Chapter One, André L de A Melo, Ph.D. discusses the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and its uses as a bio-insecticide, also touching on ways to combat insect resistance. In Chapter Two, Karim Ennouri proposes the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis as an important biopesticide because of the entomopathogenic effect of delta-endtoxins as well as its efficiency against insects resistant to chemical insecticides. In conclusion, Rafael C Lajmanovich, Candela S Martinuzzi, Carlina Colussi, Paola M Peltzer, Agustín Bassó, Andrés M Attademo, and Lucila M Curi present a study exploring the impact of a GM Bt-soybean-based diet, as opposed to a lettuce diet, on tadpoles.

A comprehensive, edited volume pulling together research on manipulation of the crop microbiome for climate resilient agriculture Microbes for Climate Resilient Agriculture provides a unique collection of data and a holistic view of the subject with quantitative assessment of how agricultural systems will be transformed in coming decades using hidden treasure of microbes. Authored by leaders in the field and edited to ensure conciseness and clarity, it covers a broad range of agriculturally important crops, discusses the impact of climate change on crops, and examines biotechnologically and environmentally relevant microbes. The book encapsulates the understanding of microbial mediated stress management at field level, and will serve as a springboard for novel research findings and new applications in the field. Chapter coverage includes: the role of the phytomicrobiome in maintaining biofuel crop production in a changing climate; the impact of agriculture on soil microbial community composition and diversity in southeast Asia; climate change impact on plant diseases; microalgae; photosynthetic microorganisms and bioenergy prospects; amelioration of abiotic stresses in plants through multi-faceted beneficial microorganisms; role of methylotrophic bacteria in climate change mitigation; conservation agriculture for climate change resilience; archaeal community structure; mycorrhiza-helping plants to navigate environmental stresses; endophytic microorganisms; bacillus thuringiensis; and microbial nanotechnology for climate resilient agriculture. Clear and succinct chapters contributed and edited by leaders in the field Covers microbes' beneficial and detrimental roles in the microbiome, as well as the functions they perform under stress Discusses the crop microbiome, nutrient cycling microbes, endophytes, mycorrhizae, and various pests and diseases, and their roles in sustainable farming Places research in larger context of climate change's effect on global agriculture Microbes for Climate Resilient Agriculture is an important text for scientists and researchers studying microbiology, biotechnology, environmental biology, agronomy, plant physiology, and plant protection.

This field manual is designed to provide background and instruction on a broad spectrum of techniques and their use in the evaluation of entomopathogens in the field. The second edition provides updated information and includes two additional chapters and 12 new contributors. The intended audience includes researchers, graduate students, practitioners of integrated pest management (IPM), regulators and those conducting environmental impact studies of entomopathogens.

Megaplasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements in the size range of 100 kb and larger. They are found in physiologically and phylogenetically diverse groups of bacteria and archaea. By definition, megaplasmids are not essential for the viability of their hosts under all growth conditions, but paradoxically many megaplasmids carry the genetic information for the defining and characteristic traits of the organism in which they reside. Microbial Megaplasmids reviews our knowledge of the extensively studied representatives, such as the catabolic plasmids of the pseudomonads, the rhizobial Sym plasmids, the Ti plasmids of the genus Agrobacterium and the giant enterobacterial virulence plasmids. It also presents snapshots of more recently discovered megaplasmids. The contribution of megaplasmids to the biology of their hosts is described, highlighting the interactions between megaplasmid and chromosomal genes.

Provides a definitive source of information on the environmental, non-target and human safety aspects of using the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) as a biological control agent. B.t. is used worldwide as an effective agent for controlling many species of insect pest, either by crop spraying or genetic engineering of crop plants. Recently questions have been raised due to health concerns over inhalation of the bacterial spores, and fears of gene-swapping. This reference provides a well-balanced comprehensive discussion on the subject.

Biopesticide: Volume Two, the latest release in the Advances in Bioinoculant series, provides an updated overview on the active substances utilized in current bioinsecticides, along with information on which of them can be used for integrated pest management programs in agro-ecosystems. The book presents a comprehensive look at the development of novel solutions against new targets, also introducing new technologies that enhance the efficacy of already available active substances. Finally, readers will find insights into the advanced molecular studies on insect microbial community diversity that are opening new frontiers in the development of innovative pest management strategies. This book will be valuable to those prioritizing agro biodiversity management to address optimal productizing and enhanced food security. - Explores the increasing number of newly introduced and improved products that can be used alone or in rotation or combination with conventional chemicals - Promotes the importance of, and tactics for, managing the agro ecosystem surrounding food security - Provides state of the art description of various approaches and techniques for the real-world application of biopesticides