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Thus Bt
transgenic rice has much appeal for controlling the stem borer. Codon
optimized Bt genes have been introduced into rice and show excellent
levels of resistance in the laboratory and greenhouse (Datta et al 1997).
Bt rices have also been tested under field conditions in China and have
excellent resistance to diverse populations of yellow stem borer. Besides
Bt genes, other genes for insect resistance such as those for proteinase
inhibitors, α-amylase inhibitors and lectins are also beginning to
receive attention. Insects use diverse proteolytic or hydrolytic enzymes in
their digestive gut for the digestion of food proteins and other food
components. Plant derived proteinase inhibitors or α-amylase inhibitors are
of particular interest because these inhibitors are a part of the natural
plant defense system against insect predation. Xu el al (1996) reported
tansgenic rice carrying cowpea trypsin inhibitor (Cpti) gene with
enhanced resistance against striped stem borer and pink stem borer. |