In the ever-evolving landscape of agricultural biotechnology, a recent study published in the journal ‘Plants’ has shed light on the potential of transgenic poplars to combat insect pests. The research, led by Jialu Li from the Institute of Forest Biotechnology at the Agricultural University of Hebei in China, offers promising insights into the development of pest-resistant poplar trees, which could have significant implications for the agriculture sector.
The study focused on three distinct Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene vector architectures in transgenic Populus × euramericana cv. Neva. These included a single-gene vector (Cry1Ac), a reverse-oriented double-gene vector (Cry1Ac-Cry3A), and a forward-oriented double-gene vector (Cry3A-Cry1Ac). The resulting transgenic lines were designated as pb8/pb9, n19a/n19b, and DB7/DB16, respectively.
Molecular analyses confirmed stable Bt gene integration, with the expression of Cry3A being consistently higher than that of Cry1Ac. Bioassays revealed that dual-gene lines conferred broader insect resistance against both lepidopteran (Hyphantria cunea) and coleopteran (Plagiodera versicolora, Anoplophora glabripennis) pests compared to single-gene lines. Notably, the single-gene line pb9 exhibited specialized, high efficacy against H. cunea, achieving 100% mortality.
“Our findings demonstrate that multi-gene lines confer broad-spectrum pest resistance, while single-gene lines exhibit targeted efficacy,” said Li. This dual approach could be a game-changer for poplar breeding programs, offering tailored solutions for specific pest challenges.
The study also delved into the molecular responses of P. versicolora larvae fed the double-gene high-resistance n19a line and low-resistance DB16 line. Transcriptomic analysis revealed multi-level molecular responses to Bt stress, including up-regulation of toxin-activating proteases, altered receptor expression, and suppression of growth-related genes. These changes were associated with significant developmental delay in the larvae.
The implications of this research for the agriculture sector are substantial. Poplar trees are widely used in agroforestry, and pest resistance can significantly enhance their utility. The development of transgenic poplars with broad-spectrum or targeted pest resistance can reduce the need for chemical pesticides, leading to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Moreover, the findings could pave the way for similar advancements in other crops. The understanding of molecular responses to Bt stress in pests can inform the development of more effective pest-resistant crops, contributing to global food security.
As the agriculture sector continues to grapple with the challenges of pest management, this research offers a beacon of hope. The work of Li and their team underscores the potential of biotechnology to address real-world agricultural challenges, shaping the future of sustainable farming practices.
The study, titled “Comparative Analysis of Insect Resistance in Transgenic Populus × euramericana cv. Neva Expressing Dual Bt Genes from Different Sources,” was published in the journal ‘Plants’ and led by Jialu Li from the Institute of Forest Biotechnology at the Agricultural University of Hebei in China.