Effect of Bt Corn (Bt 38) Cultivation on Community Structure of Collembola

Transgenic corn has been modified to express a gene derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to combat lepidopteran pests. Bt proteins and the altered chemical composition of Bt crops may affect the role the soil fauna plays in the decomposition of Bt plants. A 2-y field study and a laboratory feeding experiment using corn leaves were conducted in northeastern China to investigate the effect of Bt corn—consisting of Bt corn (Bt 38)...