Question

Which bacteria was first used as a biopesticide commercially?

• A. Escherichia coli
• B. Bacillus thuringiensis
• C. Agrobacterium tumefaciens
• D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Bacillus thuringiensis

The correct option is B

The explanation for the correct option:

1. Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive bacteria.
2. The bacteria produce protein crystals which kill the pests feeding on the crops.
3. The bacteria itself doesn’t get killed because it is present as inactivated proto toxins which get converted into active toxins by alkaline pH of the gut of the bacteria which causes lysis and swelling of the bacteria.

The explanation for the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Escherichia coli is a bacteria that resides in the human intestine.
2. It is a parasite, not a pesticide.

Option C:

1. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a bacteria used as a vector as it is a disease-causing bacterium to particular species.
2. It is a disease-causing bacteria, not pesticides.

Option D:

1. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria that can cause several diseases such as pneumonia, and blood infections.
2. It is also a disease-causing bacterium, not a pesticide.

Final answer:

Bacillus thuringiensis was first used as biopesticides commercially.