Use of biological or chemical control agents for controlling insects and nematodes in resistant crops

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the use of biological or chemical control agents with for controlling insects and nematodes and to methods particularly useful for combating insects or nematodes and / or increasing crop yield in plants that are at least partially resistant to one or more parasitic nematodes or insects.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the use of biological and / or chemical control agents for controlling nematodes or insects in nematode or insect resistant crops and to methods particularly useful for combating nematodes or insects and / or increasing crop yield in those crops.DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGY[0002]Nematodes are tiny, worm-like, multicellular animals adapted to living in water. The number of nematode species is estimated at half a million. An important part of the soil fauna, nematodes live in a maze of interconnected channels, called pores, that are formed by soil processes. They move in the films of water that cling to soil particles. Plant-parasitic nematodes, a majority of which are root feeders, are found in association with most plants. Some are endoparasitic, living and feeding within the tissue of the roots, tubers, buds, seeds, etc. Others are ectoparasitic, feeding externally through plant walls. A single endoparasitic nematode...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention also relates to a method for the protection of seed and germinating plants from attack by pests, by selectively applying pesticidal agents to the seed of a transgenic plant. Pesticidal agents include chemical or biological control agents compositions applied to the seed of the transgenic plant, wherein the agent is intended to provide protection of the plant or seed thereof against damage caused by one or more plant pests. Furthermore, the invention relates to seed which has been treated with a pesticidal agent as described herein. Application of a pesticidal agent to the seed of a transgenic plant results in an improved resistance or tolerance to one or more plant pests and / or improved yield or vigor compared to a transgenic plant cultivated from a seed not treated with a pesticidal agent as described herein, or a plant of the same species as the referenced transgenic plant that has been cultivated from a seed treated with a pesticidal agent as described herein but that lacks the transgene (either of which may be herein referred to as a “control” plant).

[0011]In some embodiments, treatment of the seed with these agents not only protects the seed itself, but also the resulting plants after emergence, from pests. In this manner, the immediate treatment of the crop at the time of sowing or shortly thereafter can be dispensed with.

Problems solved by technology

A single endoparasitic nematode can kill a plant or reduce its productivity.

Direct feeding by nematodes can drastically decrease a plant's uptake of nutrients and water.

These microbial infections are often more economically damaging than the direct effects of nematode feeding.

Although nematode-resistant plants are described to be resistant towards specific nematodes, there is still some interactions between the nematode and the crop which, due to the different defense reactions of the plant, might lead to a partially impaired plant.

One consequence might result in impaired roots and loss of vigor of the affected plants.

A large part of the damage to crop plants which is caused by pests occurs as early as when the seed is attacked during storage and after the seed is introduced into the soil, during and immediately after germination of the plants.

This phase is particularly critical since the roots and shoots of the growing plant are particularly sensitive and even minor damage can lead to the death of the whole plant.

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