Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Biotechnology and Biodiversity pp 59–66Cite as

The Effects of Transgenic Crops on Non-target Organisms

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development and Biodiversity ((SDEB,volume 4))

Abstract

A non-monitored cultivation of transgenic crops can potentially have adverse effects on animal biodiversity when the transgenic plants or their expressed products negatively impact the organisms that are not intended to be the targets that need to be controlled. Agro-ecosystems house a diverse array of species above and below the cultivated ground that can come in contact with the cultivated plants and their metabolites. When a transgenic crop intended for pest control is planted in the field, the resulting effect on the agro-ecosystem cannot exclude the rest of the species in the habitat non-intended to be harmed by the transgenics, and these are defined as the non-target species. The present review summarizes the possible effects of transgenic plants on non-target species in agro-ecosystems with a focus on possible strategies to minimize the unintended effects of transgenic crop cultivation on animal biodiversity, while complementing the efforts of integrated pest management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson PL, Hellmich RL, Sumerford DV, Lewis LC (2004) Effects of Cry1Abexpressing corn anthers on monarch butterfly larvae. Environ Entomol 33:1109–1115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andow DA, Lövei GL, Arpaia S (2006) Ecological risk assessment for Bt crops. Nat Biotech 24:749–751

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arpaia S (2012) Genetically modified plants and “non-target” organisms: analyzing the functioning of agro-ecosystem. http://www.icgeb.org/~bsafesrv/pdffiles/Arpaia.pdf. Accessed 15 May 2014

  • Birch ANE, Wheatley RE (2005) GM pest-resistant crops; assessing environmental impacts on non-target organisms. Issues Environ Sci Tech 21:31–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brussaard L, de Ruiter PC, Brown GG (2007) Soil biodiversity for agricultural sustainability. Agric Ecosyst Environ 121:233–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castaldini M, Turrini A, Sbrana C, Benedetti A et al (2005) Impact of Bt corn on rhizospheric and soil eubacterial communities and on beneficial mycorrhizal symbiosis in experimental ­microcosms. Appl Environ Microbiol 71:6719–6729

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Clark BW, Prihoda KR, Coats JR (2006) Subacute effects of transgenic Cry1Ab Bacillus thuringiensis corn litter on the isopods Trachelipus rathkii and Armadillidium nasatum. Environ ­Toxicol Chem 25:2653–2661

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis TP, Sloan WT, Scannell JW (2002) Estimating prokaryotic diversity and its limits. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:10494–10499

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Debach P, Rosen D (1991) Biological control by natural enemies, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • De la Poza M, Pons X, López C et al (2005) Impact of farm-scale Bt-maize on abundance of ­predatory arthropods in Spain. Crop Prot 24:677–684

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dhillon MK, Sharma HC (2009) Effects of Bacullus thuringiensis—endotoxins Cry1Ab and ­Cry1Ac on the coccinellid beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculatus (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) under direct and indirect exposure conditions. Biocontrol Sci Tech 19:407–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dively GP, Rose R, Sears MK, Hellmich RL et al (2004) Effects on monarch butterfly larvae (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) after continuous exposure to Cry1Ab-expressing corn during anthesis. Environ Entomol 33:1116–1125

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan JJ, Marvier M, Huesing J, Dively G, Huang ZY (2008) A meta-analysis of effects of Bt crops on honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). PLoS One 3(1):e1415

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Escher N, Kach B, Nentwig W (2000) Decomposition of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis maize by microorganisms and woodlice Porcello scaber (Crustacea: Isopoda). Basic Appl Entomol 1:161–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Filion M (2008) Do transgenic plants affect rhizobacteria populations? Microbial Biotechnol 1:463–475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Robles I, Sanchez J, Gruppe A, Martınez-Ramırez AC et al (2001) Mode of action of Bacillus thuringiensis PS86Q3 strain in hymenopteran forest pests. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 31:849–856

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green JM, Owen MDK (2011) Herbicide-resistant crops: utilities and limitations for herbicide-resistant weed management. J Agric Food Chem 51:5819–5829

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths BS, Caul S, Thompson J, Birch ANE et al (2007a) Microbial and microfaunal community structure in cropping systems with genetically modified plants. Pedobiologia 51:195–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths BS, Heckmann LH, Caul S, Thompson J et al (2007b) Varietal effects of eight paired lines of transgenic Bt-maize and nearisogenic non-Bt-maize on soil microbial and nematode community structure. Plant Biotechnol J 5:60–68

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta VVSR, Yeates GW (1997) Soil microfauna as bioindicators of soil health. In: Pankurst CE (ed) Biological indicators of soil health. CAB International, New York, pp 201–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Haughton AJ, Champion GT, Hawes C, Heard MS et al (2003) Invertebrate responses to the ­management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant and conventional spring crops. II. Within-field epigeal and aerial arthropods. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B 358:1863–1877

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson J (1999) Monarch Bt-corn paper questioned. Nat Biotech 17:627

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Höss S, Arndt M, Baumgarte S, Tebbe CC et al (2008) Effects of transgenic corn and Cry1Ab toxin on the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 70:334–340

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Icoz I, Stotzky G (2008) Fate and effects of insect-resistant Bt crops in soil ecosystems. Soil Biol Biochem 40:559–586

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James C (2009) Global status of commercialized biotech/GM crops: 2009. ISAAA Brief No. 39. Ithaca

    Google Scholar 

  • Jesse LCH, Obrycki JJ (2003) Occurrence of Danaus plexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) on milkweeds (Asclepias syriaca) in transgenic Bt corn agroecosystems. Agric Ecosyst Environ 97:225–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Losey JE, Rayor LS, Carter ME (1999) Transgenic pollen harms monarch larvae. Nature 399:214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lövei GL, Arpaia S (2005) The impact of transgenic plants on natural enemies a critical review of laboratory studies. Entomol Exp Appl 114:1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lövei GL, Andow DA, Arpaia S (2009) Transgenic insecticidal crops and natural enemies: a detailed review of laboratory studies. Environ Entomol 38:293–306

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J (1994) The rhizosphere—form and function. Appl Soil Ecol 1:193–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malone LA, Burgess EPJ (2009) Impact of genetically modified crops on pollinators. In: Ferry N, Gatehouse AMR (eds) Environmental impact of genetically modified crops. CAB International, Wallingford, pp 199–222

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Malone LA, Burgess EPJ, Stefanovic D, Gatehouse HS (2000) Effects of four proteinase inhibitors on the survival of worker bumblebees Bombus terrestris L. Apidologie 31:25–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manachini B, Lozzia GC (2002) First investigations into the effects of Bt corn crop on Nematofauna. Boll Zool Agraria e Bachicoltura II 34:85–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall A (2009) 13.3 million farmers cultivate GM crops. Nat Biotechnol 27(3):221

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marvier M, McCreedy C, Regetz J, Kareiva P (2007) A meta-analysis of effects of Bt cotton and maize on non-target invertebrates. Sci 316:1475–1477

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore JC, Walter DE, Hunt HW (1988) Arthropod regulation of micro and mesobiota in below-ground detrital food webs. Annu Rev Entomol 33:419–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naranjo SE (2009) Impacts of Bt crops on non-target invertebrates and insecticide use patterns. CAB Rev: Perspect Agric Vet Sci Nutr Nat Res 4:1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oberhauser KS, Prysby M, Mattila HR, Stanley-Horn DE et al (2001) Temporal and spatial overlap between monarch larvae and corn pollen. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 98:11913–11918

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Obrist LB, Dutton A, Romeis J, Bigler F (2006) Biological activity of Cry1Ab toxin expressed by Bt-maize following ingestion by herbivorous arthropods and exposure of the predator Chrysoperla carnea. BioControl 51:31–48

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Callaghan M, Glare TR, Burgess EPJ, Malone LA (2005) Effects of plants genetically modified for insect resistance on non-target organisms. Annu Rev Entomol 50:271–292

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pleasants JM, Hellmich RL, Dively GP, Sears MK et al (2001) Corn pollen deposition on ­milkweeds in or near corn field. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 98:11919–11924

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Prasifka PL, Hellmich RL, Prasifka JR, Lewis LC (2007) Effects of Cry1Ab expressing corn ­anthers on the movement of monarch butterfly larvae. Environ Entomol 36:228–233

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez-Romero R, Chaufaux J, Pham-Delègue MH (2005) Effects of Cry1Ab protoxin, deltamethrin and imidacloprid on the foraging activity and the learning performances of the honeybee Apis mellifera, a comparative approach. Apidologie 36:601–611

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Romeis J, Meissle M, Bigler F (2006) Transgenic crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis toxins and biological control. Nat Biotechnol 24:63–71

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rose R, Dively GP, Pettis J (2007) Effects of Bt corn pollen on honey bees: emphasis on protocol development. Apidologie 38:368–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena D, Stotzky G (2001) Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin released from root exudates and biomass of Bt corn has no apparent effect on earthworms, nematodes, protozoa, bacteria, and fungi in soil. Soil Biol Biochem 33:1225–1230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schrader S, Münchenberg T, Baumgarte S, Tebbe CC (2008) Earthworms of different functional groups affect the fate of the Bt-toxin Cry1Ab from transgenic maize in soil. Eur J Soil Biol 44:283–289

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sims SR, Martin JW (1997) Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins Cry1A(b), Cry1A(c), CryIIA, and CryIIIA on Folsomia candida and Xenylla grisea (Insecta: ­Collembola). Pedobiologia 41:412–416

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weber M, Nentwig W (2006) Impact of Bt corn on the diplopod Allajulus latestriatus. Pedobiologia 50:357–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Widmer F (2007) Assessing effects of transgenic crops on soil microbial communities. Adv ­Biochem Eng Biotechnol 107:207–234

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfenbarger LL, Naranjo SE, Lundgren JG, Bitzer RJ, Watrud LS (2008) Bt crop effects on ­functional guilds of non-target arthropods: a meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 3(5):e2118

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Xue K, Luo HF, Qi HY, Zhang HX (2005) Changes in soil microbial community structure associated with two types of genetically engineered plants analyzing by PLFA. J Environ Sci (China) 17:130–134

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zwahlen C, Hilbeck A, Howald R, Nentwig W (2003) Effects of transgenic Bt corn litter on earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. Mol Ecol 12:1077–1086

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University-Owensboro, 4821 New Hartford Road, 42303, Owensboro, KY, USA

    Chandrakanth Emani

Authors
  1. Chandrakanth Emani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chandrakanth Emani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Formerly Forestry Consultant Zobel Forestry Associates, New Paltz, New York, USA

    M. R. Ahuja

  2. Botany Department, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

    K.G. Ramawat

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Emani, C. (2014). The Effects of Transgenic Crops on Non-target Organisms. In: Ahuja, M., Ramawat, K. (eds) Biotechnology and Biodiversity. Sustainable Development and Biodiversity, vol 4. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09381-9_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation