Field studies show no significant effect of a Cry1Ab/Ac producing transgenic cotton on the fungal community structure in rhizosphere soil

Transgenic cotton GK 12 expressing insecticidal Cry1Ab/1Ac gene can effectively control the lepidopteran pests in agriculture, however it may have unintended side-effects on soil fungal communities. Therefore, the fungal community size and structure in rhizosphere soil of Bt and non-Bt cottons were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) at growth stages and three annual replications in an intensive conventional cultivation system. The Cry1Ab/1Ac protein was undetectable or occasionally detectable at a low level (