Developing insect resistance with fusion gene transformation of chitinase and scorpion toxin gene in maize (Zea mays L)

Transgenic plants with introduced pest-resistant genes provide an efficient alternative insect control. A binary insect-resistant gene combination, containing an insect-specific chitinase gene (chi) and a scorpion insect toxin gene (Bmk), was introduced into a maize cultivar via pollen-mediated transformation. Thirty-eight putative trans- genic plantlets with kanamycin-resistance were obtained. Transgenic statuses of plants were confirmed by South- ern blot analysis. Bioassay by inoculation of Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée; ACB) larvae indicated that the degree of ACB resistance varied among the transgenic plants. The highest average calibrated mortality of larvae was approximately 67%. The genetic analysis of T1 progeny confirmed that the inheritance of introduced genes followed the Mendelian’s rules