Methods of producing microbe and pest resistant plants include

Options

A. RNAi
B. Use of Bt toxin
C. Gene therapy
D. Both (1) & (2)

Answer

To answer the question regarding the methods of producing microbe and pest-resistant plants, we can break down the solution into the following steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Microbe Resistance**:
- Microbe resistance in plants can be achieved through various biotechnological methods. One such method is the use of **RNA interference (RNAi)**. This technique involves the introduction of antisense RNA that binds to the mRNA of the pathogen, leading to the formation of double-stranded RNA. This results in the silencing of the mRNA, preventing the production of proteins that cause infection.

2. **Understanding Pest Resistance**:
- For pest resistance, a common method is the use of **Bt toxin**. The gene responsible for producing Bt toxin, which is derived from the bacterium *Bacillus thuringiensis*, can be inserted into the plant's genome. When pests (such as certain insects) consume the plant, the Bt toxin is activated in their alkaline gut, leading to their death.

3. **Combining Approaches**:
- Both RNAi and the introduction of Bt toxin are effective strategies for creating plants that are resistant to both microbes and pests. Therefore, the methods of producing microbe and pest-resistant plants include:
- **1. RNAi** (for microbe resistance)
- **2. Bt toxin** (for pest resistance)

4. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer to the question is that methods of producing microbe and pest-resistant plants include both RNAi and the use of Bt toxin. Therefore, the answer is option 4: **1 and 2**.