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Comparison of rhizosphere properties as affected by different Bt- and non-Bt-cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes and fertilization

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Abstract

Incorporation of genetically modified crops in the cropping system raises the need for studying the effect of these crops on the soil ecosystem. The current study aimed to compare the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)- and non-Bt-cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes on rhizosphere properties under fertilized and unfertilized soil conditions. One non-Bt-cotton (IUB 75) and four Bt-cotton varieties (IUB-222, MM-58, IUB-13, FH-142) were sown in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial fashion with three replications under unfertilized (T1) and fertilized (T2 at NPK 310–170–110 kg ha−1) soil conditions. The culturable soil bacterial population was recorded at flowering, boll opening, and harvesting stages, while other rhizosphere biological and chemical properties were recorded at harvesting. Results revealed that Bt-cotton genotypes IUB-222 and FH-142 showed significantly higher rhizosphere total nitrogen, NH4 +–N, available phosphorus, and available potassium. Total organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon was also maximum in the rhizosphere of IUB-222 under fertilized conditions. Similarly, bacterial population (CFU g−1) at flowering stage and at harvesting was significantly higher in the rhizosphere of IUB-222 as compared to non-Bt- (IUB-75) and other Bt-cotton genotypes under same growth conditions. It showed that Bt genotypes can help in maintaining soil macronutrients (total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium) under proper nutrient management. Moreover, Bt-cotton genotypes seem to strengthen certain biological properties of the soil, thus increasing the growth and yield capability, maintaining available nutrients in the soil as compared to non-Bt cotton, while no harmful effects of Bt cotton on soil properties was detected.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the efforts of Dr. Alejandro J. Pieters and Mikenna Smith for editing the manuscript. We are thankful to the Department of Soil Science, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, for providing the research facilities. The authors are also grateful to the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, for the provision of cotton genotypes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan

    Maqshoof Ahamd, Waleed Mumtaz Abbasi, Moazzam Jamil, Azhar Hussain & Muhammad Fakhar-u-Zaman Akhtar

  2. Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan

    Muhammad Iqbal

  3. Pesticide Quality Control Laboratory, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan

    Farheen Nazli

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  1. Maqshoof Ahamd
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  2. Waleed Mumtaz Abbasi
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  3. Moazzam Jamil
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  5. Azhar Hussain
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Ahamd, M., Abbasi, W.M., Jamil, M. et al. Comparison of rhizosphere properties as affected by different Bt- and non-Bt-cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes and fertilization. Environ Monit Assess 189, 278 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-5994-3

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