Abstract: The invention relates to the use for control of Homopteran insect pests of a protein which has toxic or antimetabolic effects on them. According to the invention there is provided a transgenic plant comprising a gene coding for a protein which has toxic or antimetabolic effects on Homopteran insect pests, the gene being associated with a promoter which causes the gene to express the protein in the phloem of the plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of lectins having specific mannose-binding ability and/or derived from Amaryllidaceae or Alliaceae for the control of insect pests. Transgenic plants containing and capable of expressing foreign genes coding for such lectins are also disclosed.

Abstract: Phasmarhabditis nematodes for the biocontrol of agricultural and horticultural pests and more particularly to the biocontrol of molluscs. The nematodes are cultured with a nematode growth-promoting and pathogenicity-inducing bacterium and applied to the molluscs. The molluscs which are biocontrolled by the disclosed method include slugs, i.e. Deroceras reticulatum. In addition to the specific biocontrol of slugs the invention is applicable to the biocontrol of other molluscs, such as snails, i.e. Monacha cantiana, which are harmful to plants in the field or greenhouse, or to those which carry parasites harmful to humans or animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to the biological control of Dipteran pests other than the mosquito, which comprises the use of Bacillus thuringiensis isolate HD 541 (NCIMB 40373) or HD 571 (NCIMB 40374), or a mutant, recombinant or derivative thereof, or insecticidal material derived therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis M200, a sample of which has been deposited under the accession number NCIMB 40385, or a variant, derivative or mutant thereof having entomocidal activity against lepidopterous pests. The invention also relates to the use of the said strain for control of insect pests.

Abstract: The invention provides Bacillus subtilis strains NCIB 12375, NCIB 12376 and NCIB 12616, which have improved antimicrobial activity. The invention also relates to the use of such strains in the control of microbial infections and microbial contamination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant DNA molecule which comprises a structural gene coding for a trypsin inhibitor, in particular a trypsin inhibitor from a legume, more particularly from Vigna unguiculata (cowpea trypsin inhibitor or CpTI), or for a protein having properties resembling those of CpTI and/or having a substantial degree of homology therewith.The invention also relates to a recombinant DNA plasmid comprising such a DNA molecule, and to the incorporation of the DNA into the nuclear genome of a plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soybean seed, lucerne seed or clover seed coated with an inoculant composition comprising a carrier medium, a beneficial microorganism and an adhesive polymeric material. A high average loading of viable organisms per seed is maintained in storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated recombinant DNA molecule which comprises a structural gene coding for a Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitor from Vigna unguiculata. The invention also relates to a recombinant DNA plasmid comprising the Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitor from Vigna unguiculata inserted in a DNA vector and a Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modifying a plant virus or its effects, which comprises incorporating genetic material into a plant and infecting said plant with a plant virus, whereby expression of the incorporated genetic material modifies the plant virus or its effects. In a preferred embodiment, expression in the plant of the incorporated genetic material causes attenuation of the symptoms of attack on the plant by a plant virus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing coated seeds, which comprises slurrying seeds with an inoculant composition containing a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on plants which grow from the seeds and an adhesive polymer, slurrying being effected in the presence of an aqueous suspension of an adhesive polymer; and air drying the resulting product at a temperature not greater than 30.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis, GC 91, a sample of which has been deposited under the accession number NCTC 118921, or a derivative or mutant thereof having entomocidal activity against lepidopterous pests. The invention also relates to a process for producing a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis having improved entomocidal properties by combining into a single strain by plasmid transfer the different entomocidal properties of two respective starting strains. The new strains thus produced are useful in entomocidol compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel antibiotic or antibiotic fraction and a process for producing it by culturing a suitable microorganism. Among other defined properties, the antibiotic has a protein and lipid content, a molecular weight of about 63,500 daltons and antibiotic activity against fungi and gram-positive bacteria, but not against gram-negative bacteria. It is useful for plant protection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adduct of a basic macromoleculer and biotin having the general formula: ##STR1## in which MM is the residue of a basic macromolecule formed by substituting the H-atom of one or more primary amino groups;alk represents an optionally substituted alkylene group having from 1 to 10 C-atoms;m is 0 or 1; andn is a positive integer,with the proviso that, where MM represents cytochrome C or histone, m is not 0.The adduct is useful in constructing non-radioactive nucleic acid hydridization probes.

Abstract: The invention provides an enzyme preparation comprising at least one protease derived from an entomopathogenic fungus of one of the following genera:Metarhizium, Beauvaria, Verticillium, and Aschersonia, and characterized by the following properties:(a) substantially not activity against hide protein azure, locust cuticel and elastin;(b) specificity for Bz-Phe-Val-ARg-NA;(c) not inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to Lactobacillus helveticus AGCl, a sample of which has been deposited on 29 September 1988 at The National Collections of Industrial And Marine Bacteria Limited under the accession number NCIB 40051, or a mutant or derivative thereof. This strain is useful as part of a starter culture addition to cheese milk, for accelerated ripening of cheddar style cheeses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis, GC 91, a sample of which has been deposited under the accession number NCTC 11821, or a derivative or mutant thereof having entomocidal activity against lepidopterous pests. The invention also relates to a process for producing a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis having improved entomocidal properties by combining into a single strain by plasmid transfer the different entomocidal properties of two respective starting strains. The new strains thus produced are useful in entomocidal compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inoculant composition for plants, comprising a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on the plants, and a copolymer of (1) vinyl pyrrolidone and (2) vinyl acetate or styrene or substituted styrene.

Abstract: A trypsin inhibitor derived from the cowpea Vigna unguiculata or similar plant is used to protect another plant or a part thereof from attack by a pest of that plant. The plant protected may in particular be cotton or a cereal crop and particular pests from which the plant is protected are bollworms of the genus Heliothis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inoculant composition for plants, comprising a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on the plants, and a copolymer of (1) vinyl pyrrolidone and (2) vinyl acetate or styrene or substituted styrene.