Abstract

The effect of genetically modified (GM) Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis (Chinese cabbage) expressing Bt toxin gene (cry1AC) to the rhizosphere bacterial community was examined using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting method. From the visual comparison of the DGGE profiles, there were no significant differences between the profiles of Bt and control rhizosphere in both Suwon and Yesan samples. From the sequence analysis of the individual bands, Sphingomonas sp. of Alphaproteobacteria and several actinobacterial members were identified as the main bacterial taxa in both Suwon and Yesan samples. In the multiple correspondence analysis, no clear separation between Bt and control rhizosphere was seen in both Suwon and Yesan datasets. The profiles of bulk soils were separated from those of rhizosphere. The DGGE fingerprinting analyses indicated that Bt crops did not significantly alter the genetic composition of rhizosphere bacterial communities.

• Keywords: cry1AC; rhizobacteria; Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis; denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis