Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LX
Written by Sangeetha JEYABALAN, Thangadurai DEVARAJAN, David MUNISWAMY
One of the very least understandings of ecological risk assessment is the impact of genetically modified crops on biotic and abiotic factors. Even though, farmers have adopted transgenic crops in large scale because of high yield and immediate financial gain. Key factor to be considered in the development of a genetically modified plant is the assessment of its safety. Transgenic crops may have the potential to influence the soil in which they are growing through the release of the Bt proteins in root exudates or from sloughed or decaying plant material. The present study aims to determine the impact of Bt cotton on soil physical and chemical properties of agricultural lands of three districts of Karnataka, India. About 21 parameters have been studied and determined that were significant differences in the soil nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and other essential salts such as calcium and magnesium between transgenic and Non-transgenic cotton growing field. All results obtained in the present work suggested that there is no notable significant impact to specify any negative effects of transgenic cotton on the soil properties
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