1Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125 004, India
2Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125 004, India
*Corresponding author; E-mail: kamlac@hau.ernet.in Tel: (91-1662)237721-26 (Extn-4407); Fax: (91-1662)234952
Native strains of Bacillus thuringiensis having insecticidal activity against Helicoverpa armigera were characterized. Out of 367 strains, 12 showed more than 60% mortality against second instar larvae of H. armigera. These strains were characterized into different subspecies based on acid production from sucrose and salicin, esculin utilization and production of lecithinase. They belonged to subspecies kurstaki, thuringiensis, sotto and dendrolimus. One isolate could not be identified. Some strains contained large plasmids. These strains were further characterized using primers specific for cry Mb gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR analysis of selected strains generated a PCR product profile characteristic of B. thuringiensis strains, which are insecticidal to lepidopteran insects.
Bacillus thuringiensis, characterization, Helicoverpa armigera, insecticidal activity, PCR
