Biotech Updates

Is Soil Nematode Susceptible to GM Bt Corn?

March 11, 2011

Sebastian Hoss and colleagues from the Institute for Biodiversity in Regensburg, Germany studied the impact of genetically modified (GM) Bt maize (MON89034xMON88017), which contains three different Bt proteins, on soil nematodes. Laboratory experiments revealed that there were negative effects of Bt proteins on the nematodes.

However, in field studies in 2008 and 2009, results showed that nematode communities are not affected by cultivation of GM corn nor by conventional corn. The planting season and the sand content of the soil proved to be the factors affecting changes in nematode community in soil.

The original news in German can be seen at: http://www.biosicherheit.de/presse/1302.boden-lebende-nematoden-empfindlich-gentechnisch-veraenderten-mais.html