Ferns found to produce crop-saving insecticide

A new study co-led by the School of Chemistry’s Professor Megan Maher has discovered a novel protein produced by ferns that is effective in protecting major crops from pests.

Since the 1930s, insecticidal proteins from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt toxins) have been used to protect crops such as corn, soybean and cotton against the billions of dollars’ worth of crop damage caused by lepidopteran insect larvae (butterflies and moths) every year. The use of Bt toxins as sprays, and their incorporation into plants as transgenes, has had an enormous impact on crop production globally. However, resistance to Bt toxins is rapidly emerging, and an alternative insecticidal protein is needed.

Research published in PNAS, co-led by Professor Maher and Emeritus Professor Marilyn Anderson (La Trobe University), and in collaboration with Corteva Agriscience, has found that a new protein family (termed IPD113), naturally produced by ferns, shows strong insecticidal activity against a broad range of lepidopteran insects, including those resistant to Bt toxins.

The research determined the crystal structure of one of the IPD113 proteins, which showed remarkable similarity to the Bt toxins, despite the fact IPD113 proteins originate from plants, whereas Bt proteins originate from bacteria.

The discovery provides a promising potential avenue for improved pest control. Ongoing research will focus on optimising the protein for future use in global agriculture.

^{The crystal structure of one of the IPD113 proteins
(image provided by Mr Brady Johnston, University of Western Australia)}