Pyrosequencing of Bacillus strains active in agricultural pests. Bacillus sp. (in: firmicutes)

The main objective of this study is to sequence Bacillus thuringiensis isolates that have shown high entomopathogenic activity against key pests of Brazilian commodities such as maize and sugar cane. This activity is potentially associated with virulent factors present in these isolates based on previous studies of our group and may have not been described yet in the scientific media. The use of B. thuringiensis toxins for controlling these pests has become more and more a necessity because of the efficacy losses of synthetic insecticides against a pest that evolved resistance. Invariably pests have also developed resistance to Bt toxins, which has prone researchers to search for new toxins that present a high toxic activity against insect pests. It is important to know the virulent factor (toxin) because its gene can be isolated and transformed into plants of agricultural interest (maize and sugarcane) that will express these toxins, and aid to reduce the population density of important pests.