The Insecticidal Bacterial Toxins in Modern Agriculture

Dear Colleagues,

Increased awareness about adverse environmental effects of human activities has prompted the use of insecticides with a low impact on systems associated with agriculture. Currently, the most successful biological products are based on protein toxins from the bacterial species Bacillus thuringiensis. Because of the remarkable properties of these proteins, their encoding genes were introduced into farming species (the so-called Bt-crops) in such a way, that these plants are self-protected against some key, insect pests. Despite the fact that a relatively large number of these toxins, with different toxicity ranges, have been described, it is still important to find new resources with novel capabilities to complement, or to replace in the future, the currently-used ones. On the other hand, it is important to continue studying their modes action in susceptible insects, and the changes occurring in resistant ones, to determine the most effective strategy for long-lasting pest control. The focus of this Special Issue of Toxins is to provide updated information on the use of B. thuringiensis and their toxins on different field crops, the interactions of these toxins with other molecules, to analyze the biochemical and molecular basis of emerging cases of resistance, and, in general, to provide information that can contribute to effective pest management with these toxins.

Baltasar Escriche
Juan Ferré
Guest Editors

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