Characterisation of Bt maize IE09S034 in decomposition and response of soil bacterial communities

Abstract

Returning straw to the soil is an effective way to improve the soil quality. As genetically modified (GM) crops experience expanded growing scales, returning straw to the soil could also be necessary. However, the impact of GM crop straws on soil safety remains unclear. The environment (including soil types, humidity and temperature) can result in a significant difference in the diversity of soil bacterial communities. Here, we compared the impacts of the straw from Bt maize IE09S034 (IE) and near-isogenic non-Bt maize Zong31 (CK) on soil bacterial community and microbial metabolic activity in three different environments. Sampling was carried out following 6–10 months of decomposition (May, June, July, and August) in three localities in Chinese cities (Changchun, Jinan, and Beijing). Our results showed that Bt maize residues posed no direct impact on soil bacterial communities in contrast to the environment and decomposed time. The microbial functional diversity and metabolic activity showed no significant difference between IE and CK. The results could be a reference for further assessing the effect of Bt maize residues on the soil that promotes the commercialisation of Bt maize IE09S034.