Transgenic Cowpea Confers Insect Resistance and Herbicide Tolerance

A study published in Pest Management Science found that the genetically engineered cowpea line CAP5, expressing a fusion of Cry1Ab-Vip3A and CP4-EPSPS genes, demonstrated strong resistance against major lepidopteran pests and high tolerance to glyphosate. The findings of the study demonstrate the potential of developing insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant cowpea events.

Cowpea is a widely consumed vegetable in China, but its cultivation is significantly threatened by pest infestations throughout its growth cycle. Lepidopteran pests, such as the legume pod borer, beet armyworm, and tobacco cutworm, are particularly destructive. Reliance on chemical pesticides raises economic and environmental concerns, making alternative methods like genetic modification essential for developing insect-resistant cowpea.

The researchers introduced a Cry1Ab-Vip3A fusion gene into the cowpea genome using an optimized transformation method with glyphosate selection. Among the 37 resulting transgenic events, line CAP5 was identified as having a single T-DNA insertion on Chr5 of the cowpea genome. The results of the study confirmed that CAP5 exhibited strong resistance to the three major lepidopteran pests and robust glyphosate tolerance, suggesting its potential for improved pest and weed management.

For more information, read the abstract from Pest Management Science.