Scientists Report Accumulation of Selenium in Colorado Potato Beetle-resistant Potatoes
October 29, 2010| |
One of the major pests of potatoes in many areas including Russia is the Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) which is resistant to most classes of chemical pesticides. Through genetic engineering of Bt protein Cry3A, scientists were able to produce three potato varieties with resistance to CPB. Most Bt plants have increased level of lignin, starch, carbon and nitrogen except for the CPB varieties. However, information about the levels of Selenium (Se), an element which provide protection mechanism in plants against insect attact, is still lacking. Thus, Russian scientists Nadezhda Golubkina and Konstantin Skriabin studied the accumulation of Se in GM potato at the Russian Bioengineering Center, Moscow.
Se levels of three varieties of CBP-resistant potatoes were identified using fluorimetric method of analysis and it was found out that the GM potatoes have elevated Se levels (9.5 times more) compared with the control. This may suggest that plants absorb high concentrations of metals from the substrate as a self-defense mechanism against infection and herbivores. The metal ion may destroy or impede the growth and development of the plant pests.
The Se accumulation observed could possibly imply the metal's contribution in plant defense and the researchers suggest for a more detailed investigation on the biological effects of Se on CPB-resistant potatoes.
Read the abstract of this study at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2009.08.011.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- FAO's 2nd State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Report
- We Can Feed the World and Maintain Biodiversity, Scientists Say
- First Three Recipients of Borlaug Medals
- Researchers Promote Biotechnology to Improve Food Security in Africa
- Ministers of Agriculture in Southern LA Countries Issue Statement on Biotech
- Scientists Report Tobacco Bio-oil as Effective Pesticide
- USDA Awards Grants for Specialty Crop Research
- U.S. National Science Foundation Awards New Projects for Plant Genome Research
- USDA Grants $3.8 Million for AgriLife's Turf Improvement Study
- Monsanto Corn Hybrids on Field Trial Exhibit Yield Advantage
- FAO Distributes Huge Quantities of Wheat Seeds in Pakistan
- Bangladesh Experts Identify Biotech to Contribute to Food Security
- Survey Shows What Australians Feel About Biotech
- Syngenta Receives South Korean Import Approval for Agrisure Viptera Trait
- Syngenta Builds Seeds Processing Plant in Java
- Study Reveals Possible Reasons for the Decline of Pollinators
- Global Farmers Share Agribiotech Experience with European Leaders
- EU-JRC Publishes Summary Notification of Field Evaluation of Sugar Beet Event H7-1
-
Research Highlights
- Scientists Report Accumulation of Selenium in Colorado Potato Beetle-resistant Potatoes
- Stress Affects Plant Growth and Development Patterns
- New Slow-Rusting Leaf Rust and Stripe Rust Resistance Genes in Wheat are Closely Linked
-
Announcements
- GM Crops: A New Peer-Reviewed Journal
-
Resources
- Integrated Pest Management for Tomatoes
- FAS-GAIN Report on Taiwan Biotechnology
- AFAA Features Opinion Pieces of GM Technology
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet