Abstract:

It is more than seven years since transgenic Populus nigra carried Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene has been tested in the field. By PCR technology, the gene stability of transgenic P. nigra with Bt gene was analyzed, and the soil microorganism in the transgenic plantation and non transgenic plantation was quantitatively assayed for group. According to PCR analysis, Bt gene was still in the transgenic P. Nigra trees, and Mendelian segregation of Bt gene was observed in the progeny of transgenic P. Nigra (clone 153) crossed with control (CK₃). In order to evaluate the effects of transgenic forest trees on the environment biosafety, we surveyed three groups of microorganisms (bacterium sum, actinomyces and mould) in the soil around the roots of both non and transgenic trees, and of both no- and transgenic plantations. Analyzing using ANOVA, we have found no significant difference in terms of the microorganism number among both the individual trees and the plantations. It indicates that there are still no significant negative effects of transgenic poplar on the soil microorganism system.

Key words: Populus nigra, Transgenic plant, Gene stability, Soil microorganism, Biosafety