Transformation of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) with Bt cry1Ba3 Gene for Control of Diamondback Moth

To obtain transgenic cabbage line with broad insect resistance, a new synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis cry1Ba3 gene was introduced into white cabbage via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and 37 transformants were obtained. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analyses confirmed that cry1Ba3 was successfully inserted into the genome of cabbage. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated that cry1Ba3 was expressed. Western blot results confirmed the production of insecticidal protein encoded by cry1Ba3. Insect bioassays showed that transgenic cabbages effectively controlled both susceptible and Cry1Ac-resistant diamondback moth (DBM) larvae.