Whole genome analysis and functional characterization of a novel Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt 62) isolate against sugarcane white grub Holotrichia serrata (F)

In this study, we report the whole genome assembly of Bt 62, a novel isolate harbouring cry8 holotype gene identified by us earlier. Sequencing was carried out using a combination of Illumina NextSeq 500 and Oxford Nanopore sequencing Technologies (ONT). The final assembled genome was 6.13 Mb comprising a circular chromosome and four plasmids. The bioassay studies against Holotrichia serrata (F.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a polyphagous pest infesting sugarcane and other crops, indicated significant toxicity to first instar grubs over untreated larvae achieving a highest mean mortality of 91.11% for various doses tested. In vitro proteolytic assay and histopathological studies of the midgut of infected white grubs revealed proteolytic processing of the protoxin and extensive degeneration of larval midgut epithelial cells. The results demonstrate that this novel isolate could be used as a biopesticide or its crystal toxin genes could be expressed in sugarcane and other crops for resistance against H. serrata.