Abstract: Methods and compositions for the control of pests of the family Calliphoridae are described. Specifically, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) isolates having anti-calliphorid activity are disclosed. Also described are recombinant hosts which express B.t. genes coding for pesticidal toxins. The B.t. isolates and recombinant proteins are shown to be useful in a method for controlling calliphorids including screw-worms and the sheep blowfly.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) endotoxins to control hemipteran insect pests. Specifically exemplified is B.t. isolate PS123D1, and .delta.-endotoxins therefrom. These isolates and toxins can be administered to said pests, or to the environment of said pests, e.g. plants, to achieve control of the pests.

Abstract: A method for producing somaclonal variant cotton plant. The method comprising providing a cotton explant, culturing the explant in a callus growth medium supplemented with glucose as a primary carbon source until secretion of phenolic compounds has ceased and undifferentiated callus is formed from the explant, culturing the undifferentiated callus in callus growth medium supplemented with sucrose as primary carbon source until embryogenic callus is formed from the undifferentiated callus, transferring the embryogenic callus to a plant germination medium, culturing the embryogenic callus on the plant germination medium until a plantlet is formed from the embryogenic callus, transferring the plantlets to soil, growing the plantlets to produce seeds from self pollination, collecting the seeds, planting the seeds, growing the seeds under conditions to select for a desired characteristic and collecting the plants with the desired characteristics.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to B.t. toxins active against pests. More specifically, the subject invention pertains to truncated Cry6A toxins. These activated toxins are particularly effective for controlling coleopteran pests such as the corn rootworm and the alfalfa weevil.

Abstract: A somaclonal variant cotton plant. The somaclonal cotton plant is produced by a method comprising providing a cotton explant, culturing the explant in a callus growth medium supplemented with glucose as a primary carbon source until secretion of phenolic compounds has ceased and undifferentiated callus is formed from the explant, culturing the undifferentiated callus in callus growth medium supplemented with sucrose as a primary carbon source until embryogenic callus is formed from the undifferentiated callus, transferring the embryogenic callus to a plant germination medium, culturing the embryogenic callus on the plant germination medium until a plantlet is formed from the embryogenic callus, transferring the plantlets to soil, growing the plantlets to produce seeds from self pollination, collecting the seeds, planting the seeds, growing the seeds under conditions to select for a desired characteristic and collecting the plants with the desired characteristics.

Abstract: A plasmid comprising a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene and promoter isolated from maize. The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene encodes a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase isozyme involved in C.sub.4 photosynthesis and which is not expressed in seeds.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolate designated B.t. PS192N1 which has dipteran activity. Thus, this isolate, or mutants thereof, can be used to control such insect pests. Further, genes encoding novel .delta.-endotoxins can be removed from the isolate and transferred to other host microbes, or plants. Expression of the .delta.-endotoxins in such hosts results in the control of susceptible insect pests in the environment of such hosts.

Abstract: Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin expression in Pseudomonads can be improved by modifying the gene encoding the Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin. Chimeric genes are created by replacing the segment of the Bacillus thuringiensis gene encoding a native protoxin with a segment encoding a different protoxin. Exemplified herein is the cryIF/cryI(b) chimera wherein the native cryIF protoxin segment has been substituted by the cryIA(b) protoxin segment, to yield improved expression of the cryIF toxin in Pseudomonads. The invention also concerns novel genes and plasmids.

Abstract: Novel B.t. genes encoding toxins active against nematode pests have been cloned. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various hosts to express the B.t. toxin.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and processes for controlling lepidopteran pests. These compositions comprise synergistic combinations of a CryIF chimeric and CryIA(c) chimeric Bacillus thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxin. These compositions have been found to exhibit excellent activity against lepidopteran pests.

Abstract: Novel Bacillus thuringiensis toxins with hymenopteran activity are described.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns Bacillus thuringiensis microbes with activity against select coleopteran pests e.g., Diabrotica sp., Hypera sp., and various flea beetles. For example, the B.t. isolates of the invention are active against alfalfa weevils (AW, Hypera brunneipennis), rape flea beetles (RFB, Phyllotreta cruciferae), and corn rootworms (CRW, Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata). Thus, these microbes can be used to control these pests. Further, genes encoding toxins active against these pests can be isolated from the B.t. isolates and used to transform other microbes. The transformed microbes then can be used to control susceptible coleopteran pests.

Abstract: This invention concerns genes or gene fragments which have been cloned from novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates which have nematicidal activity. These genes or gene fragments can be used to transform suitable hosts for controlling nematodes.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods and compositions for the selective control of pests. The method involves the administration of compounds which act on ecdysteroids or their derivatives or precursors. In a preferred embodiment, plants are transformed to express ecdysone oxidase which controls pests which feed on the transformed plants.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) endotoxins to control hemipteran insect pests. Specifically exemplified is B.t. strain 201T6, B.t. var. israelensis, and .delta.-endotoxins therefrom. These isolates and toxins can be administered to said pests, or to the environment of said pests, e.g., plants, to achieve control of the pests. A preferred embodiment is the transformation of plants to express the B.t. toxins.

Abstract: Novel B.t. genes encoding toxins active against lepidopteran insects have been cloned from a novel lepidopteran-active B. thuringiensis microbe. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various hosts to express the B.t. toxin.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of fatty acids in combination with maleic hydrazide to achieve excellent control of tobacco suckers on topped plants. The control of suckers is achieved at low rates of maleic hydrazide, thereby reducing maleic hydrazide residues on harvested tobacco.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the discovery of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates with advantageous activity against weevils. In preferred embodiments of the invention, B.t. isolates, or toxins therefrom, are used to control alfalfa weevils, boll weevils, and/or rice water weevils. The toxins can be administered to the pests through a variety of methods including the transformation of bacteria or plants to produce the weevil-active toxins.

Abstract: The activity of pesticides is enhanced by application of a zwittermicin antibiotic in combination with insecticides. In particular, zwittermicin enhances the activity of Bacillus thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxins.

Abstract: Described and claimed are methods and compositions for the control of unwanted vegetation. According to the subject invention, a fatty acid or mixture of fatty acids can be combined with one or more chemical herbicides to achieve synergistic control of a broad range of plants.