Effects of genetically modified maize MON810 on surface-active springtails (Collembola)

Springtails (Collembola) are an integral and beneficial component of soil communities. As part of a comprehensive study of the effects of the Bacillus thuringiensis-maize hybrid DKC4442YG (Bt event MON810) expressing Cry1Ab toxin on nontarget invertebrates, we studied abundance and diversity of surface-active springtails in the temperate region of central Europe (western Slovakia) over 3 years in 10 plots with Bt and 10 plots with the near-isogenic non-Bt event DK440. Standard fertilizer and herbicide applications were used without the use of insecticides. Springtails were collected throughout vegetative season, nine to 11 times in each plot every year, using pitfall traps; a total of 580 samples were collected throughout the study period. In total, 7945 individuals of nine species were collected. We found that maize hybrid (Bt vs. non-Bt) did not affect the average number of species, abundances, or community composition of springtails. There was also no significant interaction between the maize hybrids and seasonal patterns of species numbers, abundances, or community composition. To conclude, the studied genetically modified maize event MON810 did not have any impact on the communities of surface-active Collembola.