Effect of the ahas Transgene on Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Yield of Soybean

Despite its importance, studies on the effect of transgenes in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and the associated use of herbicides on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) are relatively few. The transgenic soybean Cultivance CV127 contains the ahas gene, which confers resistance to imidazolinone herbicides.

Mariangela Hungria of Embrapa Soja in Brazil, led a team of researchers in assessing the effects of the ahas transgene and of imidazolinone herbicide on BNF parameters and soybean yield. Three seasons of large-scale field experiments were conducted at nine sites in Brazil. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block with four replicates using transgenic and conventional soybean as well as imidazolinone and conventional herbicides.

There were no effects on BNF parameters caused by transgenic trait or associated with a specific herbicide. Moreover, no grain-yield effects were detected related to the ahas gene or to the specific herbicide.

To learn more on the study, read the full article here: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11248-014-9831-y/fulltext.html