Abstract: The use of mannose binding lectins derived from Amaryllidaceae, Alliaceae, or Vicieae for the control of nematodes, in which said use may be either direct or via transgenic plant expression, and a method therefor.

Abstract: Particularly effective B.t. insecticides are obtained by culturing to the sporulation stage novel transformant obtained on transforming B.t. kurstaki H.D. 562 with DNA expressing in the B.t. certain mutant endotoxin genes. Such transformants and other B.t. transformants generally may be obtained in high transformation frequencies by the electrotransformation of B.t. cells while in a hypertonic state followed by maintaining the cells in a hypertonic medium for a time sufficient to obtain intact cells. Transformation of B.t. tenebroinis and B.t. aizawai is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that are distinguished by a high degree of selectivity and affinity towards herbicides from the group of the sulfonylureas, especially towards sulfonylurea herbicides of formula (A) ##STR1## wherein X is a mono- or di-substituted 6-membered heterocycle having from one to three nitrogen atoms and bonded via carbon, but is preferably mono- or di-substituted s-triazine or pyrimidine; andn is an integer from 0 to 4, preferably the number 1, and that are therefore outstandingly suitable for use in an immunoassay for the rapid and effective detection of the said sulfonylurea herbicides in soil, water or air samples or in plant extracts, and to methods for the production of said monoclonal antibodies. The present invention relates also to hybridoma cell lines that produce said monoclonal antibodies and to immunological detection methods using said monoclonal antibodies, and to test kits that may be used in those detection methods.