Effects of transgenic Bt+CpTI cotton on the growth and reproduction of earthworm Eisenia foetida

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2009 Jan 1;14(10):4008-14. doi: 10.2741/3508.

Abstract

With the expansion of the planted area of transgenic Bt+CpTI cotton, the effects of this crop on non-target organisms in soil, including earthworms, are becoming the most important aspect of their ecological risk assessment. Laboratory toxicity studies were conducted to determine the effects of transgenic Bt+CpTI cotton leaves, containing high concentrations of the Bt toxin and cowpea trypsin inhibitor, on the earthworm Eisenia foetida. In comparison with the non-transgenic cotton line Zhong23, transgenic Bt+CpTI cotton Zhong41 had no significant acute toxicity on E. foetida. Moreover, the leaves of transgenic Bt+CpTI cotton were more suitable than the non-transgenic cotton Zhong23 for E. foetida growth and reproduction (time of reproduction, the number of cocoons and newly incubated offspring).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gossypium / physiology*
  • Oligochaeta / growth & development
  • Oligochaeta / physiology*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Reproduction*