Effects of genetically modified cotton (Bollgard®) on non-target organisms / Efeitos do algodoeiro geneticamente modificado (Bollgard®) em organismos não-alvo

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2010

RESUMO

The effects of the genetically modified cotton (Bollgard®) expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac toxin on non-target arthropods was evaluated under laboratory and field studies. Evaluations of arthropod abundance on Bollgard® cotton (Delta Pine 90) and on its isoline (Acala 90) were carried out during three consecutive field seasons. The first study was conducted in Leme-SP (2005/2006) and the following two field seasons were conducted in Piracicaba-SP (2006/2007 and 2007/2008). Soil surface organisms were collected using pitfall traps (14 samples). Mesofauna arthropods from the 5-cm soil surface were collected with metallic cylinders and extracted with modified Berlese-Tullgren equipment (16 samples). From the aerial portion of the plant, arthropods were sampled from leaves (17 samples from apical leaves and 12 samples from median leaves). From the pitfall traps and from the modified Berlese-Tullgren 27,420 and 297,696 organisms, respectively, were collected. The main arthropod groups collected in both types of traps were Acari (Oribatida, Mesostigmata, Prostigmata, Astigmata among others), Collembola and Formicidae. Chilopoda, Diplura and other arthropods (Aranae and insect larvae), were also common in extractions of the modified Berlese-Tullgren, while the pitfall traps revealed also abundance of Coleoptera (Nitidulidae, Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Mycetophagidae and others). Although, among some samples, we had observed significant differences in abundance of some soil organisms between Bt-cotton and isoline plots, these differences were not constant among sample dates from the same year and/or were not detected among different field seasons. Population dynamics of four oribatidae species was monitored during all field seasons and revealed major prevalence of Scheloribates praeincisus, followed by Galumna glabra, Protoribates sp. and P. praeoccupatus. However, the proportion of these last three species varied among field seasons. Population density of whiteflies (Aleyrodidae) and thrips (Thysanoptera) were not different between Bt-cotton and isoline plots. In five out of 29 sample dates, population density of aphids (Aphidoidea) was lower on Bt-cotton than on its isoline. Abundance of Phitoseiidae predatory mites was smaller on Bt cotton than on its isoline in three samples, while the abundance of Tetranychidae phytophagous mites was higher on Bt cotton in six samples. The biology of one species of Tetranychidae, Mononychellus planki, and one species of Phytoseiidade, Neoseiulus californicus, was investigated on Bt cotton and on its isoline. We did not detect any significant differences in duration of immature phase of M. planki and on the biology of N. californicus between cotton genotypes. In general, throughout three field seasons, there was no evidence that the abundance of arthropods has been altered by genetically modified Bollgard® cotton.

ASSUNTO(S)

soil fauna entomopathogenics bacteria aphid. algodão pulgão. Ácaros bactérias entomopatogênicas cotton fauna edáfica mites transgenic plants plantas transgênicas

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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