Effects of NaCl stress on the biochemical substances in Bt cotton as well as on the growth and development and adult oviposition selectivity of Helicoverpa armigera

Abstract

Background: Recently, due to the development of food security strategies, cotton has been planted in inland saline-alkali dry soils or in coastal some saline-alkali soils in China. Under the condition, to comprehensively prevent and control Helicoverpa armigera in cotton fields with saline-alkali soils, it is important to study the larval growth and development of H. armigera and to study adult oviposition selectivity in H. armigera adults that feed on NaCl-stressed cotton plants. Results: In this study, Bt cotton GK19 was used for the experimental group and its nontransgenic parent Simian 3 was used for the control to study the effects of biochemical substances in cotton as well as larval growth and development and adult oviposition selectivity of H. armigera. The experiments were performed by growing cotton indoors under NaCl stress at concentrations of 0 mmol•L − 1 , 75 mmol•L − 1 and 150 mmol•L − 1 , respectively. The results showed that the expression of Bt protein was significantly inhibited for NaCl-stressed Bt cotton. The content of soluble protein and K + in the leaves of cotton were decreased, while the content of gossypol and Na + were increased. In addition, the 5 th instar H. armigera larvae exhibited shorten the life span in a 13-day trial period. Under enclosure treatments and at different female densities, the adult oviposition of H. armigera decreased on high NaCl-stressed nontransgenic cotton, while the oviposition on Bt cotton tended to first increase but then decrease under low, moderate and high NaCl stress treatments. Conclusions: Under certain content ranges of NaCl stress treatments, larval of H. armigera growth and development, and adult oviposition were no significant difference in the change for a certain period. However, under high NaCl stress, larval growth, development and adult oviposition were affected, which may provide insights for the prevention and control of H. armigera for Bt cotton in saline-alkali soils.

Biotechnology and Solutions: Insect-Pest-Resistance Management for Improvement and Development of Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

“…To remediate salt-affected soils, cotton has been planted in saline or coastal areas in Eastern China as a pilot crop for soil rehabilitation. The growth and development of H. armigera was studied in Bt-cotton fields under such conditions [68]. The results revealed that no significant difference was observed for the growth and development of H. armigera larvae under certain content ranges of saline conditions, but high-salt stress altered the larval growth and development, and adult oviposition behavior on Bt cotton [68].…”

“…The growth and development of H. armigera was studied in Bt-cotton fields under such conditions [68]. The results revealed that no significant difference was observed for the growth and development of H. armigera larvae under certain content ranges of saline conditions, but high-salt stress altered the larval growth and development, and adult oviposition behavior on Bt cotton [68]. This result provides some insights for the pest management of H. armigera for Bt cotton in saline-soil conditions.…”

Impact assessment of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant cotton on arthropod communities

“…Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the most important economic crops worldwide, and its production plays an important role in the economy of many countries (Wu and Guo 2005;Luo et al 2019). Weeds affect cotton yield considerably by competing with the cotton crops for resources such as water, light, and nutrients (Latif et al 2015).…”

Pyramiding of cry toxins and methanol producing genes to increase insect resistance in cotton

“…1 Cotton crop is subjected to various biotic and abiotic stresses throughout its life cycle. 2 However, the biotic stress caused by pathogens and pests has an important negative impact not only on yield and quality, but also in control measures that increases production cost globally. 1 Cotton fields are prone for lepidopteran infestation such as pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), army bollworm (Spodoptera litura), American bollworm (Heliothis armigera) and spotted bollworm (Earias fabia).…”