Abstract

Transgenic insect-resistant cotton expressing the Cry1Ac and/or CpTI protein has been released into the environment for commercial cultivation for over a decade in China. In this consecutive 3-year field study (2007–2009), we characterized the microbial populations in two different transgenic cotton fields and one non-transgenic cotton field to assess the environmental impact of long-term cultivation of transgenic insect-resistant plants in credible field conditions. We obtained samples at four different growth stages of cotton (seedling, budding, boll forming and boll opening). The results showed significant seasonal variation in the number of bacteria, fungi, azotobacter, denitrifying bacteria and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and in diversity indices of microorganisms, but no significant difference in the number of each microbial population or diversity indices attributable to long-term cultivation of transgenic cotton.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.