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Impact of the ahas transgene for herbicides resistance on biological nitrogen fixation and yield of soybean

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Abstract

Studies on the effects of transgenes in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and the associated use of specific herbicides on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) are still few, although it is important to ensure minimal impacts on benefits provided by the root-nodule symbiosis. Cultivance CV127 transgenic soybean is a cultivar containing the ahas gene, which confers resistance to herbicides of the imidazolinone group. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the ahas transgene and of imidazolinone herbicide on BNF parameters and soybean yield. A large-scale set of field experiments was conducted, for three cropping seasons, at nine sites in Brazil, with a total of 20 trials. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block with four replicates and the following treatments: (T1) near isogenic transgenic soybean (Cultivance CV127) + herbicide of the imidazolinone group (imazapyr); (T2) near isogenic transgenic soybean + conventional herbicides; and (T3) parental conventional soybean (Conquista) + conventional herbicides; in addition, two commercial cultivars were included, Monsoy 8001 (M-SOY 8001) (T4), and Coodetec 217 (CD 217) (T5). At the R2 growth stage, plants were collected and BNF parameters evaluated. In general, there were no effects on BNF parameters due to the transgenic trait or associated with the specific herbicide. Similarly, at the final harvest, no grain-yield effects were detected related to the ahas gene or to the specific herbicide. However, clear effects on BNF and grain yield were attributed to location and cropping season.

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Acknowledgments

To Adolfo Vitorio Ulbrich (BASF), for the experiment and personal coordination of the experiments, and to Dr. Allan R. J. Eaglesham and Dr. Liliane M. M. Henning for suggestions on the manuscript. A.S. Nakatani acknowledges a postdoc fellow from Fundação Araucária/CAPES and M. Hungria is also research fellows from CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development). The microbiology group of Embrapa Soja is also supported by CNPq (Repensa, 562008/2010-1 and Universal 470515/2012-0). Approved for publication by the Editorial Board of Embrapa Soja as manuscript 04/2014.

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Author notes

  1. Rosinei Aparecida Souza

    Present address: IAPAR, C.P. 481, 86001-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil

  2. Fernando Bonafé Sei

    Present address: Total Biotecnologia Indústria e Comércio Ltda, Rua Emílio Romani 1190, CIC, 81460-020, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Embrapa Soja, C.P. 231, Londrina, PR, 86001-970, Brazil

    Mariangela Hungria, André Shigueyoshi Nakatani, Rosinei Aparecida Souza & Carlos Arrabal Arias

  2. Fundação Araucária, Av. Comendador Franco 1341, Curitiba, PR, 80215-090, Brazil

    André Shigueyoshi Nakatani

  3. CAPES, Setor Bancário Norte, Q2, Bl L, Lote 06, Brasília, DF, 70040-020, Brazil

    André Shigueyoshi Nakatani

  4. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC/FAC), C.P. 281, 88520-000, Lages, SC, Brazil

    Fernando Bonafé Sei

  5. CNPq, SHIS QI 1, Cj B, Lago Sul, 71605-001, Brasília, DF, Brazil

    Ligia Maria de Oliveira Chueire

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  1. Mariangela Hungria
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Correspondence to Mariangela Hungria.

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Hungria, M., Nakatani, A.S., Souza, R.A. et al. Impact of the ahas transgene for herbicides resistance on biological nitrogen fixation and yield of soybean. Transgenic Res 24, 155–165 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-014-9831-y

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