Varietal effects of eight paired lines of transgenic Bt maize and near‐isogenic non‐Bt maize on soil microbial and nematode community structure

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2006.00215.x
• Publication Date: 2006-10-26T10:50:52Z
• Authors: Bryan S. Griffiths; Lars‐Henrik Heckmann; Sandra Caul; Jacqueline Thompson; Charlie Scrimgeour; Paul Henning Krogh
• Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis; Genetically modified maize

A glasshouse experiment was undertaken to provide baseline data on the variation between conventional maize (Zea mays L.) varieties and genetically modified plants expressing insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis protein (Bt, Cry1Ab). The objective determine whether in soil parameters under a range of cultivars exceeded differences Bt non-Bt cultivars. Variations plant growth (shoot root biomass, percentage carbon, nitrogen), concentration shoots, roots soil, nematode abundance microbial community structure were determined. Eight paired (i.e. express their near-isogenic control varieties) investigated, together with variety for which no available (NX3622, combined transformant both herbicide tolerance) barley (Hordeum vulgare included as positive control. only parameter showed difference counterparts shoot carbon nitrogen ratio; this observed two eight varieties, so not attributable trait. There detectable or any Bt-expressing varieties. significant nematodes, but related Differences previously published studies smaller than these varietal effects. Soil structure, determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, strongly affected stage experimental addition purified Cry1Ab confirmed that, at ecologically relevant concentrations, there measurable effects structure.