Drawing the line. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saxon, Emma
• Is Part Of: BMC biology. Volume 13:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 1
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Biomedical Research -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1186/s12915-015-0190-9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-7007

Abstract

Abstract The pea aphidAcyrthosiphon pisum is an agriculturally important pest of leguminous plants including peas and broad beans. The widespread use of chemical pesticides impacts heavily on the environment, and increases pesticide-resistant pea aphid populations, so alternative strategies are being actively sought.Pseudomonas syringae bacteria are known to infect and kill the pea aphid, and offer a possible control strategy. In this study, the authors measured the effects of injectingP. syringae on the survival of pea aphid populations at 24 and 48 hours. The pea aphid population was killed more rapidly (98 % after 24 hours) with a higher concentration of injected bacteria than in the control or with lower concentrations, indicating that aP. syringae -based control strategy may be a useful alternative to conventional pesticides.