Pest-resistant genetically modified (GM) maize makes up an increasing
proportion of maize grown commercially in the EU. A new study shows that
earthworms may help break down the toxins produced by GM maize.


GM maize (Bt-maize) plants are engineered to produce 'cry' proteins that are
toxic to the European corn borer, a major insect pest responsible for corn
crop losses. Recent studies have shown that planting Bt-maize can increase
yields and grain quality, as well as profitability. However, there is
concern that cry toxins may have an impact on other species besides the corn
borer. It is therefore essential to understand the fate of these toxins in
soil.

As widespread soil-dwelling species, earthworms are important indicators of
soil quality. Their burrowing and feeding activities may also have an impact
on any toxins released into the soil. However, until now it has been unclear
exactly how earthworms affect cry toxin levels - whether they stabilise or
reduce concentrations. New research shows that earthworms may in fact help
to enhance the decline of cry toxins in soils planted with GM maize.

The researchers studied two species of earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris (the
'common earthworm' or 'night crawler'), and Aporrectodea caliginosa (the
'grey worm'). These were added to soils to which GM plant matter (leaves and
roots) had been added. Five weeks after leaves were added to the soil
concentrations of the toxin, Cry1Ab, were at least 4 per cent lower in soils
containing earthworms compared with soils without earthworms. Where
earthworms where fed on roots instead of leaves, they reduced concentrations
of the toxin by at least 3 per cent.

According to the researchers, earthworms may help microorganisms in the soil
decompose plant matter containing the toxin, by releasing compounds that
enhance microbial activity. There were some differences to be found between
the impacts of the two species of worm, however, which may be due to their
different eating habits. The A. caliginosa proportionally ingests more soil
than the L. terrestris which in turn increases concentrations of clay
material. Clay can help stabilise levels of the Cry1AB toxin in the soil.
While this could increase its effects on the corn borer, it also raises the
possibility that the Cry1Ab could be available to other, non-target,
organisms for a longer time period. Further research is needed to explore
the effects of soil type and worm activity on the persistence of toxins in
the soil.

Such studies may provide insights into how soils should be managed where
Bt-maize is cultivated and will become more important to agricultural
practice in the EU as commercial cultivation of GM crops continues to rise.
In 2007, the area covered by GM maize in the EU rose by more than three
quarters, from 62,000 hectares to 110,000, with Spain producing a quarter of
all its maize from genetically modified crops.
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