Comparative impact of genetically modified and non modified maize (Zea mays L.) on succeeding crop and associated weed.
This research work documents the comparative impact of genetically modified (GM) (insect resistance) and non modified maize (Zea mays L.) on growth and germination of succeeding crop wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and associated weed (Avena fatua L.). The aqueous extracts of both the GM and non-GM maize exhibited higher phenolic content than that of methanolic extracts. Germination percentage and germination index of wheat was significantly decreased by GM methanolic extract (10%) as well as that of non-GM maize at 3% aqueous extract. Similarly germination percentage of weed (Avena fatua L.) was significantly reduced by application of 3% and 5% methanolic GM extracts. All extracts of GM maize showed non-significant effect on the number of roots, root length and shoot length per plant but 5% and 10% methanolic extracts of non-GM maize significantly increased the number of roots per plant of wheat seedling. Similarly, 10% methanolic extract of GM maize significantly increased the number of roots per plant of weed seedling. Methanolic extracts of GM and non-GM maize (3% and 5%) significantly decreased the protease activity in wheat as compared to untreated control.
Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Muhammad
M
Ibrahim
Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Naseer
N
Ahmed
Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Faizan
F
Ullah
Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan shinwari@qau.edu.pk.
Zabta Khan
ZK
Shinwari
Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Asghari
A
Bano
D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000187:drug effects*; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000187:drug effects; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000737:chemistry*; D014908:Triticum / Q000187:drug effects*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
D010936:Plant Extracts
GM maize; aqueous extracts; methanolic extracts; phenolics