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Effects of Bacillus thurungiensis Cry1A(c) δ-endotoxin on diversity of Legume Nodulating Bacteria (LNB) and nitrogen fixation in Clay soil
Abstract
Bt technology alleviates many problems associated with the use of chemical pesticides, contributes to increased grain yields and a reduced need for insecticidal sprays. However, the potential impacts of Bt crops on the environment remain a topic of debate worldwide, calling for the assessment of Bt crops on the environment. In the current study, the effect of Bacilllus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1A(c) d-endotoxin on the diversity of legume nodulating bacteria (LNB) and nitrogen fixation in clay soil was evaluated. Bt Cry1A(c) d-endotoxin from a local B. thuringiensis isolate (ICIPE L1-2) active against Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) was used. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum DC.) seedlings were grown in pots treated with Bt Cry1A(c) d-endotoxin solution (100 μg/ml). Control experiments were treated with water. The plants were maintained in the greenhouse until nodulation (8 weeks) stage when sampling was done. LNB were isolated from the root nodules. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assessed the diversity of the LNB species. Soil samples in hungate tubes were treated with Bt Cry1A(c) d-endotoxin solution (100 μg/ml) and the control sample sprayed with equally volume of distilled water. Subsequently, acetylene reduction assays were performed over a 60 hour period. The results showed that Bt Cry1A(c) d-endotoxin had no effect on nitrogen fixation rates by free living soil microorganisms. However, RFLP data showed a slightly higher diversity of LNB in the control samples than the test samples, indicating that Bt Cry1A(c) d-endotoxin (100 μg/ml) reduced or modified the number of LNB in the rhizosphere.
Key words: Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt Cry1A(c) δ-endotoxin, Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.), RFLP.