Talk:MicrobeWiki

Background

This illustration depicts a three-dimensional (3D), computer-generated image, of a group of Gram-positive, Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus) bacteria. The photo credit for this image belongs to Alissa Eckert, who is a medical illustrator at the CDC.

By Katya Naphtali

Underneath the umbrella of “pesticides”, there are biologically synthesized alternatives to chemicals called microbial pesticides. This alternative uses different microorganisms to target specific pests that threaten production. The actual material used as a pesticide is naturally formed, biodegradable, highly specialized to specific pests rather than having widespread impact meaning they can be used in small quantities with large effects (EPA).

Microbial pesticides are commonly used to address pest control in corn crops. Stats on the importance of corn in USA agriculture, and the threat corn poses to it (monoculture). It is under threat by the Western Corn Rootworm (CRW), which specialized just to parasitize corn monocropping productions (Cornell).

A common management process to address CRW is the incorporation of microbial pesticides into corn GMO strains (background on melding process?) Bacillus thergo (Bt) is the most commonly used bacteria as a source of microbial pest control. There are multiple strains of GMO corn that contain toxins from Bt. Unfortunately, in some regions where these GMOs are overused, CRW has adapted resistance to this toxin (Cornell). This drives researchers to search for similarly effective bacteria to replace their current technology.

Sample citations:

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Western Corn Rootworm

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Every point of information REQUIRES CITATION using the citation tool shown above.

Brevibacillus laterosporus

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Pathology & Experimental Use

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Conclusion

Root Worms

References

Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski, 2023, Kenyon College