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XptA1: Nature’s Pesticide

From: Pat Maxwell
Series: September 2010 - Isla Earth Radio Series
Length: 01:30

Mother Nature doesn't fly a crop-duster -- she doesn't need to. A research team at the University of Warwick, England, recently discovered a natural protein that could work as well as any commercial pesticide. Read the full description.

Isla_earth_inlay Mother Nature doesn't fly a crop-duster -- she doesn't need to. A research team at the University of Warwick, England, recently discovered a natural protein that could work as well as any commercial pesticide.  Called XptA1, the protein is made by a common bacterium. And, it has one advantage no crop-duster can match.  It's toxic to one, and only one, insect:  the cabbage white caterpillar...

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Piece Description

Mother Nature doesn't fly a crop-duster -- she doesn't need to. A research team at the University of Warwick, England, recently discovered a natural protein that could work as well as any commercial pesticide.  Called XptA1, the protein is made by a common bacterium. And, it has one advantage no crop-duster can match.  It's toxic to one, and only one, insect:  the cabbage white caterpillar...

Additional Credits

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