Write notes with 2 to 3 important points
Bacillus thuringiensis

Explanation

Bacillus thuringiensis is Gram positive soil bacterium.
It encodes for toxin having insecticidal proteins and is used as biocontrol agent. Biocontrol is an alternative method to use of chemical control of pests.
Through genetic engineering, the gene coding for the toxic protein is introduced into crop plants, which makes them resistant to insect pests.
When they are eaten by the larvae, the toxin becomes active in the gut of larvae and kills the larvae.
They are available in sachets as dried spores, which have to be mixed with water and sprayed onto vulnerable plants.