Expression of Cry1Ab/2Aj Protein in Genetically Engineered Maize Plants and Its Transfer in the Arthropod Food Web
Yi Chen,
Michael Meissle,
Jiabao Xue,
Nan Zhang,
Shulin Ma,
Anping Guo,
Biao Liu,
Yufa Peng,
Xinyuan Song,
Yan Yang,
Yunhe Li
Affiliations
Yi Chen
Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571025, China
Michael Meissle
Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
Jiabao Xue
Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571025, China
Nan Zhang
Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571025, China
Shulin Ma
Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571025, China
Anping Guo
Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571025, China
Biao Liu
Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571025, China
Yufa Peng
Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571025, China
Xinyuan Song
Agro-Biotechnology Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
Yan Yang
Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Hainan University & School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Yunhe Li
State Key Laboratory for Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
While transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize provides pest resistance and a reduced application of chemical pesticides, a comprehensive environmental risk assessment is mandatory before its field release. This research determined the concentrations of Bt protein in plant tissue and in arthropods under field conditions in Gongzhuling City, northeastern China, to provide guidance for the selection of indicator species for non-target risk assessment studies. Bt maize expressing Cry1Ab/2Aj and non-transformed near-isoline were grown under identical environmental and agricultural conditions. Cry1Ab/2Aj was detected in plant tissues and arthropods collected from Bt maize plots during pre-flowering, flowering, and post-flowering. The expression of Cry1Ab/2Aj varied across growth stages and maize tissues, as well as in the collected arthropods at the three growth stages. Therefore, representative species should be chosen to cover the whole growing season and to represent different habitats and ecological functions. Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Heteronychus arator (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), and Somaticus angulatus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are suitable non-target herbivores. Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Chrysoperla nipponensis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and spiders are suggested predators. Apis cerana and Apis mellifera ligustica (both Hymenoptera: Apidae) represent pollinators and Folsomia candida (Collembola: Isotomidae) decomposers.
