Decomposition dynamics and structural plant components of genetically modified Bt maize leaves do not differ from leaves of conventional hybrids
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The cultivation of genetically modified Bt maize has raised environmental concerns, as large amounts of plant residues remain in the field and may negatively impact the soil ecosystem. In a field experiment, decomposition of leaf residues from three genetically modified (two expressing the Cry1Ab, one the Cry3Bb1 protein) and six non-transgenic hybrids (the three corresponding non-transformed near-isolines and three conventional hybrids) was investigated using litterbags. To elucidate the mechanisms that cause differences in plant decomposition, structural plant components (i.e., C:N ratio, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose) were examined. Furthermore, Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 protein concentrations in maize leaf residues were measured from harvest to the next growing season. While leaf residue decomposition in transgenic and non-transgenic plants was similar, differences among conventional cultivars were evident. Similarly, plant components among conventional hybrids differed more than between transgenic and non-transgenic hybrids. Moreover, differences in senescent plant material collected directly from plants were larger than after exposure to soil for 5 months. While the concentration of Cry3Bb1 was higher in senescent maize leaves than that of Cry1Ab, degradation was faster, indicating that Cry3Bb1 has a shorter persistence in plant residues. As decomposition patterns of Bt-transgenic maize were shown to be well within the range of common conventional hybrids, there is no indication of ecologically relevant, adverse effects on the activity of the decomposer community.
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Bt plant material entering the decomposition process in the soil is degraded rapidly.
“Bt plant material entering the decomposition process in the soil is degraded rapidly.”
From Genetically engineered crops help support conservation biological control (2019) · cites this paper as Zurbrügg et al., 2010
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Genetically engineered crops help support conservation biological control
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“When litter bags filled with senescent Bt maize leaves were buried in a maize field in autumn, almost no Bt protein was detectable eight months later (Zurbrügg et al., 2010).”
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- Authors
- Zurbrügg, C., Hönemann, L., Meissle, M., Romeis, J., & Nentwig, W.
- Affiliations
- University of Bern (CH)
- Agroscope (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Zurbrügg, Corinne
- Venue
- Transgenic Research
- Published
- 2009-07-17
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 257-267
- ISSN
- 0962-8819 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-9368
- OpenAlex
- W2084758998
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 8.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- boris.unibe.ch
- Licence
- other-oa
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Transgenic Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- reroDoc Digital Library (submittedVersion)
- Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Open Access CRIS of the University of Bern
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Genetically Modified Organisms Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Crop Yield and Soil Fertility
- Keywords
- Bt maize, leaf litter decomposition, genetically modified crops, Cry1Ab, Cry3Bb1, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, C/N ratio, litterbags, senescent leaves
- MeSH terms
- Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins, Animals, Bacterial Proteins, Chimera, Zea mays, Endotoxins, Hemolysin Proteins, Lepidoptera, Pest Control, Biological, Soil, Soil Microbiology, Ecosystem, Plant Structures, Plant Leaves, Plant Stems, Risk Assessment, Plants, Genetically Modified
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