Biotech Updates

Assessment of the Impact of Bt Maize on Selected Non-target Coleoptera in Hungary

April 8, 2011

Ács Dora Szekeres of the Szent Istvan University conducted the first ever research in Hungary about the potential direct or indirect impacts of Bt (MON810, Cry1Ab) maize on ground beetles inhabiting the soil surface and ladybird beetles usually present on the leaves. Bt maize contains a transgene from Bacillus thuringiensis that encodes the expression of Cry1Ab, a protein that targets insect pest species such as the European Corn Borer (ECB). The study was conducted in 2001 to 2003 in Soskut, near Budapest. Plots of the isogenic hybrid DK 440 and its transgenic version with MON810 transformation were arranged in alterations in six repetitions.

Results of the study showed that there is no significant difference in the abundance, diversity, and seasonal dynamics of the beetles found in Bt and isogenic maize plots.

Read the complete research paper at http://www.szie.hu/file/tti/archivum/PhD_thesis_SzekeresD.pdf