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A Comparison of Soil Microbial Community Structure, Protozoa and Nematodes in Field Plots of Conventional and Genetically Modified Maize Expressing the Bacillus thuringiens is CryIAb Toxin

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Abstract

Field trials were established at three European sites (Denmark, Eastern France, South-West France) of genetically modified maize (Zea mays L.) expressing the CryIAb Bacillus thuringiensis toxin (Bt), the near-isogenic non-Bt cultivar, another conventional maize cultivar and grass. Soil from Denmark was sampled at sowing (May) and harvest (October) over two years (2002, 2003); from E France at harvest 2002, sowing and harvest 2003; and from SW France at sowing and harvest 2003. Samples were analysed for microbial community structure (2003 samples only) by community-level physiological-profiling (CLPP) and phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA), and protozoa and nematodes in all samples. Individual differences within a site resulted from: greater nematode numbers under grass than maize on three occasions; different nematode populations under the conventional maize cultivars once; and two occasions when there was a reduced protozoan population under Bt maize compared to non-Bt maize. Microbial community structure within the sites only varied with grass compared to maize, with one occurrence of CLPP varying between maize cultivars (Bt versus a conventional cultivar). An overall comparison of Bt versus non-Bt maize across all three sites only revealed differences for nematodes, with a smaller population under the Bt maize. Nematode community structure was different at each site and the Bt effect was not confined to specific nematode taxa. The effect of the Bt maize was small and within the normal variation expected in these agricultural systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK

    B.S. Griffiths, S. Caul, J. Thompson, A.N.E. Birch & C. Scrimgeour

  2. Department of Crop Physiology and Soil Science, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Foulum, P.O. Box 50, Tjele, DK-8830, Denmark

    M.N. Andersen

  3. Institut Méditerranéen d'Ecologie et Paléoécologie, Université Saint Jérôme, Marseille cedex 20, FR-13397, France

    J. Cortet

  4. Centre technique interprofessionnel des Oléagineux métropolitains, Centre de Grignon, Thiverval Grignon, BP 4, 78850, France

    A. Messéan & C. Sausse

  5. ARVALIS - Institut du végétal station Inter-instituts 6, chemin de la côte vieille, Baziège, 31450, France

    B. Lacroix

  6. Soil Fauna and Ecotoxicology Research Unit, Department of Terrestrial Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Vejlsoevej 25, P.O. Box 314, Silkeborg, DK-8600, Denmark

    P.H. Krogh

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  1. B.S. Griffiths
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  2. S. Caul
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  3. J. Thompson
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  4. A.N.E. Birch
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Correspondence to B.S. Griffiths.

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Griffiths, B., Caul, S., Thompson, J. et al. A Comparison of Soil Microbial Community Structure, Protozoa and Nematodes in Field Plots of Conventional and Genetically Modified Maize Expressing the Bacillus thuringiens is CryIAb Toxin. Plant Soil 275, 135–146 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-1093-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-1093-2

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