title: Effect on soil chemistry of genetically modified (GM) vs. non-GM maize.
abstract: The effects of genetically modified (GM) maize (Zea mays L.) expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner Cry1Fa2 protein (Bt) and phosphinothricin or glyphosate herbicide tolerance on soil chemistry (organic matter, N, P, K and pH), compared with non-GM controls, were assessed in field and pot experiments. In the field experiment, NH(4)(+) was significantly higher in soil under the crop modified for herbicide tolerance compared to the control (mean values of 11 and 9.6 mg N/kg respectively) while P was significantly higher in soil under the control compared to under the GM crop (mean values of 6.9 and 6.4 dg P/kg, respectively). No significant differences were found as a result of growing Bt/herbicide tolerant maize. In the pot experiment, using soils from three sites (Gongzhuling, Dehui and Huadian), significant effects of using Bt maize instead of conventional maize were found for all three soils. In the Gongzhuling soil, P was significantly higher in soil under the control compared to under the GM crop (mean values of 4.8 and 4.0 dg P/kg, respectively). For the Dehui soil, the pH was significantly higher in soil under the control compared to under the GM crop (mean values for {H(+)} of 1.1 and 2.4 μM for the control and the GM crop respectively). In the Huadian soil, organic matter and total N were both higher in soil under the GM crop than under the control. For organic matter, the mean values were 3.0 and 2.9% for the GM crop and the control, respectively, while for total nitrogen the mean values were 2.02 and 1.96% for the GM crop and the control respectively. Our results indicate that growing GM crops instead of conventional crops may alter soil chemistry, but not greatly, and that effects will vary with both the specific genetic modification and the soil.
authors.affiliation: Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Lingsheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hongjun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Jihong Liu
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D017753:Ecosystem; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics; D005998:Glycine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D053209:Herbicide Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D006540:Herbicides / Q000494:pharmacology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D000097797:Glyphosate
chemical_list: D000613:Aminobutyrates; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; D005998:Glycine; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D006540:Herbicides; D010758:Phosphorus; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D012987:Soil; D000097797:Glyphosate; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis; C003121:phosphinothricin