Compositional equivalence of insect-protected glyphosate-tolerant soybean MON 87701 × MON 89788 to conventional soybean extends across different world regions and multiple growing seasons

The soybean product MON 87701 × MON 89788 expresses both the cry1Ac gene derived from Bacillus thuringiensis and the cp4 epsps (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene derived from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4. Each biotechnology-derived trait confers specific benefits of insect resistance and glyphosate tolerance, respectively. The purpose of this study was to compare the composition of seed and forage from this combined-trait product to those of conventional soybean grown in geographically and climatically distinct regions. Field trials were conducted in the United States during the 2007 growing season, in Argentina during the 2007-2008 growing season, and in the northern and southern soybean regions of Brazil during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 growing seasons. Results demonstrated that the compositional equivalence of MON 87701 × MON 89788 to the conventional soybean extended across all regions and growing seasons. Further evaluation of the data showed that natural variation (region and growing season) contributed more to compositional variability in soybean, particularly for such components as isoflavones, fatty acids, and vitamin E, than transgene insertion.     

Composition of grain, forage, and processed fractions from second-generation glyphosate-tolerant soybean, MON 89788, is equivalent to that of conventional soybean (Glycine max L.)

Developments in biotechnology and molecular-assisted breeding have led to the development of a second-generation glyphosate-tolerant soybean product, MON 89788. The MON 89788 event was produced by direct transformation of a cp4 epsps (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene cassette derived from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4 into an elite soybean germplasm known for its superior agronomic characteristics and high yielding property. The purpose of this work was to assess whether the nutrient and antinutrient levels in seed and forage tissues of MON 89788 are comparable to those in the conventional soybean variety, A3244, which has background genetics similar to MON 89788 but does not contain the cp4 epsps gene cassette. Additional conventional soybean varieties currently in the marketplace were also included in the analysis to establish a range of natural variability for each analyte, where the range of variability is defined by a 99% tolerance interval for that particular analyte. Compositional analyses were conducted on forage, seed and four processed fractions from soybeans grown in ten sites across both the United States and Argentina during the 2004-2005 growing seasons. Forage samples were analyzed for levels of proximates (ash, fat, moisture, and protein) and fiber. Seed samples were analyzed for proximates, fiber, antinutrients, and vitamin E. Defatted, toasted (DT) meal was analyzed for proximates, fiber, amino acids, and antinutrients. Refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) oil was analyzed for fatty acids and vitamin E. Protein isolate was analyzed for amino acids and moisture. Crude Lecithin was analyzed for phosphatides. Results of the comparisons indicate that MON 89788 is compositionally and nutritionally equivalent to conventional soybean varieties currently in commerce.     

Metabolite profiling of maize kernels--genetic modification versus environmental influence

A metabolite profiling approach based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to investigate the metabolite profiles of genetically modified (GM) Bt-maize (DKC78-15B, TXP 138F) and Roundup Ready-maize (DKC78-35R). For the comparative investigation of the impact of genetic modification versus environmental influence on the metabolite profiles, GM maize was grown together with the non-GM near-isogenic comparators under different environmental conditions, including several growing locations and seasons in Germany and South Africa. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between GM and non-GM maize grown in Germany and South Africa. For the factor genotype, 4 and 3%, respectively, of the total number of peaks detected by GC-MS showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in peak heights as compared to the respective isogenic lines. However, ANOVA for the factor environment (growing location, season) revealed higher numbers of significant differences (p < 0.01) between the GM and the non-GM maize grown in Germany (42%) and South Africa (10%), respectively. This indicates that the majority of differences observed are related to natural variability rather than to the genetic modifications. In addition, multivariate data assessment by means of principal component analysis revealed that environmental factors, that is, growing locations and seasons, were dominant parameters driving the variability of the maize metabolite profiles.     

Accumulation of genistein and daidzein, soybean isoflavones implicated in promoting human health, is significantly elevated by irrigation

To circumvent drought conditions persisting during seed fill in the mid-south U.S. soybean production region, researchers have developed the early soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) production system (ESPS), which entails early planting of short-season varieties. Because soybean supplies a preponderance of the world's protein and oil and consumption of soy-based foods has been associated with multiple health benefits, the effects of this agronomic practice on seed quality traits such as protein, oil, and isoflavones should be investigated. Four cultivars of soybean, two from maturity group IV and two from maturity group V, were planted in April (ESPS) and May (traditional) in a two-year study at Stoneville, MS. Near-infrared analysis of soybean seed was utilized to determine the percentages of protein and oil. Dependent upon variety, the oil content of the early-planted crop was increased by 3-8%, whereas protein was not significantly changed. Visualization of protein extracts fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis and fluorescence two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis revealed that early planting did not affect the relative accumulation of the major seed-storage proteins; thus, protein composition was equal to that of traditionally cultivated soybeans. Maturity group IV cultivars contained a higher percentage of oil and a lower percentage of protein than did the maturity group V cultivars, regardless of planting date. Gas chromatographic separation of fatty acids revealed that the percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were not significantly altered by planting date. Methanol extracts of seed harvested from different planting dates when analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography showed striking differences in isoflavone content. Dependent upon the variety, total isoflavone content was increased as much as 1.3-fold in early-planted soybeans. Irrigation enhanced the isoflavone content of both early- and late-planted soybeans as much as 2.5-fold. Accumulation of individual isoflavones, daidzein and genistein, was also elevated by irrigation. Because this cultural practice improves the quality traits of seeds, ESPS provides an opportunity for enhancing the quality of soybean.     

Stability in the composition equivalence of grain from insect-protected maize and seed from glyphosate-tolerant soybean to conventional counterparts over multiple seasons, locations, and breeding germplasms

Insect-protected maize MON 810 and Roundup Ready soybean 40-3-2 represent major milestones in the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops to enhance agricultural productivity. This study provides an assessment of the compositional stability of these products over multiple seasons, multiple germplasms, and diverse geographies encompassing North, Central, and South America and Europe. The compositional assessment evaluated levels of proximates in MON 810 and proximates, antinutrients, and isoflavones in 40-3-2. The means and range values for component levels in the GM crops and their conventional comparators were consistently similar to each other within each corresponding year from 2000 to 2009. To our knowledge, this study represents the first meta-analysis of comparative composition assessments of GM products. This approach, combined with graphical approaches, provided an effective summary of the overall data set and confirmed the continued compositional equivalence of these important crops to their conventional counterparts over time.     

Effect of placement of urea and coated urea fertilizers on yield and quality of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds

The objective of the present study was to record the seed yield and to examine visually the quality of soybean seeds cultivated under different types and placements of urea fertilizers. In addition to the conventional fertilizer application (including ammonium sulfate 16 kg N ha^-1 broadcasting (100 kg N ha^-1 of urea (0B) and X00-d type coated urea CU-100 (CUB), and deep placement (100 kg N ha^-1) of urea (UD) and 100-d type coated urea CU-100 (CUD) was conducted in separate plots in a paddy field converted to an upland field located at Shindori Experimental Station of Niigata University. Soybean plant growth was periodically analyzed and the quality of harvested seeds was also visually examined (hereafter referred to as “visual quality”). It was found that the deep placement treatments were more conducive 1o nitrogen (N₂)fixation, based on the relative mreide N concentration in the xylem sap, which is a good indicator of N~fixation by soybean. Also the total seed yield was the highest in CUD (82 g plant^-1) and 0D (81 g plant^-1), compared to the control (62 g plant^-1), UB (68 g plant^-1), and CUB (68 g plant^-1). The visual quality of harvested seeds showed that CUD enhanced the quality of seeds compared to the other treatments, in which the percentage of good quality seeds, hereafter referred to as "good seeds," based on the dry weight was 51 (control), 65 (K3B), 61 (CUB), 61 (0D), and 6696 (CUD). In terms of diseased seeds, the percentage of turtle wrinkle and broken seed coats was found to decrease by N application compared to the control. Thus, it is suggested that N fertilization management is important for maximum yield of soybean as well as for the enhancement of seed quality.     

Chemical composition of glyphosate-tolerant soybean 40-3-2 grown in Europe remains equivalent with that of conventional soybean (Glycine max L.)

The composition of glyphosate-tolerant (Roundup Ready) soybean 40-3-2 was compared with that of conventional soybean grown in Romania in 2005 as part of a comparative safety assessment program. Samples were collected from replicated field trials, and compositional analyses were performed to measure proximates (moisture, fat, ash, protein, and carbohydrates by calculation), fiber, amino acids, fatty acids, isoflavones, raffinose, stachyose, phytic acid, trypsin inhibitor, and lectin in grain as well as proximates and fiber in forage. The mean values for all biochemical components assessed for Roundup Ready soybean 40-30-2 were similar to those of the conventional control and were within the published range observed for commercial soybean. The compositional profile of Roundup Ready soybean 40-3-2 was also compared to that of conventional soybean varieties grown in Romania by calculating a 99% tolerance interval to describe compositional variability in the population of traditional soybean varieties already on the marketplace. These comparisons, together with the history of the safe use of soybean as a common component of animal feed and human food, lead to the conclusion that Roundup Ready soybean 40-3-2 is compositionally equivalent to and as safe and nutritious as conventional soybean varieties grown commercially.     

Application of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to interrogate alterations in the proteome of genetically modified crops. 2. Assessing natural variability

Proteomics is currently tested as a complementary tool for the safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops. Understanding the natural variability of the proteome is crucial for the interpretation of biological differences between transgenic and nontransgenic parental lines. The natural variation of seed protein profiles among a set of 12 Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes was determined by utilizing two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). The total number of different resolved protein spots found among the 12 ecotypes was 931 with a range of 573 (Mt-0) to 653 (Condara) in any one ecotype. Although the ecotypes were grown side-by-side in an environmentally controlled growth chamber, almost half of the resolved spots varied with respect to their presence/absence, and 95% of the spots present in all ecotypes varied in spot quantity (2-53-fold). In the evaluation of unintended effects of genetic modification, it is concluded that the experimental design must account for existing natural variability, which, in the case of the expressed proteome, can be substantial.     

Prediction of the combined effect of various GM contamination sources of seed: A case study of oilseed rape under Danish conditions

Abstract

The potential GM contamination at each step in seed production can be predicted for conditions that correspond to a worst-case scenario. When the combined effect of the various GM contamination stages is calculated, the worst-case predictions of the different stages are normally added. This additive procedure to estimate the combined effect of GM contamination may be relevant to estimate the combined effect where a single farm is concerned, but may result in estimation errors when harvested seeds from a large number of farms are mixed. In this study, the consequences of treating the different stages of GM contamination as independent stochastic effects on the combined GM contamination have been estimated. A case study of GM contamination in organic and conventional oilseed rape crops under Danish conditions indicated that the greater part of GM contamination occurred at farm level and much less during transport and storage. Generally, it may be concluded that it is important to consider this uncertainty in the estimates of adventitious presence at each seed production step and also whether the different steps are independent.     

大豆籽粒的化学-力学特性灰色关联度及本构模拟

为研究大豆籽粒在不同受载情况下的力学特性,探索其化学-力学特性之间的关系,该文选择11种大豆籽粒在含水率为8.65%下对其进行化学组分、针尖压入、剪切、压缩试验,并借助Abaqus软件建立本构模型,对压缩试验过程进行模拟仿真。力学试验和模拟结果表明:所测大豆籽粒硬度为18.39~52.58 N/mm,大豆籽粒破损强度为3.65~15.32 MPa,大豆籽粒极限剪切力为12.70~52.33 N,纵轴的抗剪能力明显高于横轴;不同压缩形式和剪切方向分别对大豆籽粒破损强度和极限剪切力影响极显著;试验与仿真的载荷-变形曲线拟合良好,说明所建立的大豆本构模型能够分析研究其抗挤压特性。灰色关联度分析结果表明:与化学组分含量最为密切的力学指标是硬度与接触刚度,其中硬度与粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗淀粉、粗纤维含量的关联度分别为0.309 4、0.327 8、0.171 9、0.191 8,接触刚度与其关联度分别为0.220 6、0.283 7、0.186 9、0.133 4,粗蛋白质和粗脂肪含量对硬度与接触刚度的影响最大,其次是粗纤维素,粗淀粉含量。研究结果可为品质预测和品种鉴别提供新的方法和依据。     

Growth,symbiosis, productivity,and profitability of soybean at varying planting methods and nitrogen levels

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different planting methods (Happy Seeder sowing, Straw Chopper + Zero Tillage sowing, and conventional sowing) and nitrogen (N) levels (0%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of recommended N) on the emergence, growth, symbiotic parameters, productivity, and profitability of soybean sown after wheat harvest. Growth and symbiotic parameters were significantly better under Happy Seeder sowing and Straw Chopper + Zero Tillage sowing than conventional sowing. The seed yield, nutrient uptake, and economic returns were significantly higher under Happy Seeder sowing than other methods. The growth parameters, symbiotic parameters, biological, straw, and seed yields were increased significantly up to 100% recommended N level. The nutrient uptake increased significantly up to 100% recommended N level. Therefore, sowing with Happy Seeder after combine harvested wheat along with 100% recommended N would best optimize soybean yield and profitability.     

Comparison of Yield Potential and Herbicide Program Cost Between Herbicide‐Resistant and Conventional Soybean

Abstract

Using the results of seventy‐one soybean (Glycine max) variety performance trials, the existence of a yield drag (YD) of herbicide‐resistant varieties when compared to conventional varieties is verified. The trials were conducted from 1996 to 2000 at five locations, on 569 varieties covering three maturity groups in irrigated and dryland conditions using conventional tillage. Trend analysis of YD suggests that it (i) is magnified by irrigation; (ii) has declined to negligible levels; (iii) is not significantly different across maturity group; and (iv) exhibits some locational differences. An analysis of six herbicide programs revealed that glyphosate programs are generally more expensive than reduced‐rate conventional programs but are comparable to or cheaper than full‐rate conventional herbicide regimes. It is further conjectured that seed/technology and herbicide cost differences across seed/herbicide systems will adjust to competitive conditions in the long run.     

Compositional analysis of glyphosate-tolerant soybeans treated with glyphosate.

The compositional analyses and safety assessment of glyphosate-tolerant soybeans (GTS) were previously described. These analyses were extensive and included addressing the potential effects on seed composition from the genetic modification. Detailed compositional analyses established that GTS, which had not been treated with glyphosate, were comparable to the parental soybean line and to other conventional soybeans. In this study, two GTS lines, 40-3-2 and 61-67-1, were treated with commercial levels of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide. The composition of the seed from soybeans sprayed with glyphosate was compared to that of a nonsprayed parental control cultivar, A5403. The nutrients measured in the seed included protein, oil, ash, fiber, carbohydrates, and amino acids. The concentration of isoflavones (also referred to as phytoestrogens) was also measured as these compounds are derived from the same biochemical pathway that was engineered for glyphosate tolerance. The analytical results from these studies demonstrate that the GTS soybeans treated with glyphosate were comparable to the parental soybean cultivar, A5403, and other conventional soybean varieties.     

大气CO2浓度和气温升高对大豆叶片光合特性及氮代谢的影响

以大豆品种“中黄35”为材料,利用人工气候室,设置对照CK（CO2浓度和气温与外界测定值相同）、EC（CO2浓度为外界测定值+200μmol·mol–1,气温与外界测定值相同）、ET（CO2浓度与外界测定值相同,气温为外界测定值+2℃）、ECT（CO2浓度为外界测定值+200μmol·mol–1,气温为外界大气测定值+2℃）共4个处理。大豆整个生育期均种植在人工气候室内,在大豆鼓粒期（8月12日）利用相对叶绿素仪测定大豆叶片相对叶绿素含量,利用便携式气体交换系统测定光合参数,利用便携式光合测量系统测定光响应曲线和CO2响应曲线,并测定叶片氮代谢相关指标,以研究CO2浓度升高200μmol·mol–1和气温升高2℃对鼓粒期大豆叶片的光合特性和氮代谢关键指标的影响。结果表明：（1）ET处理鼓粒期大豆叶片相对叶绿素含量（SPAD）显著增加,EC和ECT处理对其影响不明显。（2）各处理鼓粒期大豆叶片气孔导度（Gs）均显著下降。ET处理中,叶片净光合速率（Pn）、水分利用效率（WUE）显著下降,EC处理对其影响不大,但是可以提高叶片水分利用效率（WUE）,改善气温升高对叶片的负面影响。（3）EC和ET处理鼓粒期大豆叶片最大净光合速率（Pnmax）均显著下降,ECT处理对其影响不显著。（4）EC处理中,鼓粒期大豆叶片CO2补偿点（Γ）、饱和胞间CO2浓度（Cisat）、光呼吸速率（Rp）均显著增加,ET和ECT对其影响不大。各处理均使鼓粒期大豆叶片最大净光合能力（Amax）下降。（5）EC处理鼓粒期大豆叶片硝酸还原酶（NR）活性和可溶性蛋白含量均显著下降,但是ET和ECT处理叶片可溶性蛋白含量显著增加,硝酸还原酶（NR）活性变化不显著,各处理均降低了谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）的活性。总之,CO2浓度升高200μmol·mol–1可以改善气温升高2℃对鼓粒期大豆叶片光合作用的负面影响,但对氮代谢有抑制作用,而气温升高2℃可以一定程度上缓解CO2浓度升高200μmol·mol–1对鼓粒期大豆叶片氮代谢的抑制作用。     

大豆品种间辐射敏感性差异机制的研究

用60_Coγ射线辐照13个大豆品种的种子表明,不同品种大豆的辐射敏感性存在明显差异。应用3~H-TdR掺入法研究受辐照种子浸种初期的DNA合成情况表明,受辐照的大豆种胚出现非S期DNA合成,即修复合成。品种间辐射敏感性差异与DNA修复合成有关,辐射敏感性高的品种DNA修复合成能力弱,辐射敏感性低的品种DNA修复合成能力强。     

A study to determine effects of simulated acidic rain on yield of field-grown soybeans (Glycine max. cv. Hodgson)

A field study was conducted in 1985 and 1986, using a fully automated rain exclusion canopy system, to investigate the impact of simulated acidic rain (SAR) on yield of soybean (Glycine max cv. Hodgson). Treatment effects were determined for various yield components: seed yield (kg ha^?1), pod number per plant, seed number per pod, seed weight (g 100 seeds^?1). Plant height (cm) was also measured. Results of the 1985 fields study showed that increased acid content of SAR had a slight stimulatory effect on soybean seed yield. However, the 1986 study results did not show significant treatment effects on seed yield (kg ha^?1) or other components of yield. For each of five SAR treatments, soybean yield (kg ha^?1) obtained in 1985 was significantly greater than the 1986 yield. The yield results can be attributed to differences in seed weight caused by environmental conditions specific to the two growing seasons.     

Bioavailability of Nutrients in Seeds from Tropical and Subtropical Soybean Varieties

The selection of varieties or species of plants with higher nutrient uptake efficiency and nutrient concentration for biofortification of food crops is a key tool to reduce malnutrition. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) is one of the most important food crops, because it is consumed directly or indirectly, in the form of seeds, processed (milk and/or derivatives), or used as a protein component of animal feed worldwide. In order to select plants with higher nutrients concentration in seeds, 24 soybean varieties for tropical and subtropical conditions and different general features were assessed. There was great variability in photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll content, seed yield (SY), and concentration and uptake of nutrients by seeds between the varieties. Not genetically modified (NGM) crops showed higher nitrogen (N), cooper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) concentration and higher N, potassium (K), Cu, iron (Fe), Mn, and zinc (Zn) uptake, while for genetically modified (GM) crops only calcium (Ca) concentrations were higher. Varieties BRS 284 and BMX Magna RR showed the highest nutrients concentrations in the group with the highest nutrient efficiency. The genetic variability observed among the varieties regarding uptake and translocation of nutrients into seeds allows selecting more promising materials to be used in the biofortification of nutrients in soybean seeds.     

三种植物生长调节剂对大豆生长发育及产量的影响

为提高单作大豆产量,本研究以大豆品种南豆12为材料,分别探究了不同浓度的3种植物生长调节剂拌种对大豆田间出苗的影响,及叶面喷施对大豆生长发育、产量及品质的影响。结果表明,不同浓度的褐藻胶寡糖、壳寡糖、冠菌素拌种均能提高大豆的田间出苗率,而叶面喷施均能提高大豆的株高与茎粗,褐藻胶寡糖和冠菌素拌种可增加大豆分枝数,壳寡糖拌种则减少了大豆分枝数。3种植物生长调节剂均能在一定程度上提高单株粒数与百粒重,进而提高大豆产量,同时还可提高大豆粗蛋白含量,降低粗脂肪酸含量以及满粒期大豆籽粒中可溶性糖与还原性糖的含量。此外,叶面喷施植物生长调节剂并不会影响收获子代大豆的萌发。褐藻胶寡糖、壳寡糖、冠菌素拌种推荐每公斤大豆使用100 mL植物生长水溶液拌种,浓度分别为25、100、0.05 mg·L^-1;叶面喷施的推荐使用量分别为50、50、0.01 g·hm^-2。 本研究结果为大豆丰产栽培提供了理论依据。     

电喷雾萃取及电离质谱法分析大豆水提液快速鉴别种子活力

为快速评价大豆种子活力,该文以人工加速老化后的大豆种子为原料,采用电喷雾萃取电离质谱（extractive electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry,EESI-MS）直接检测不同活力大豆种子水提液,获得其正离子模式下指纹图谱,结合主成分分析（principal component analysis,PCA）、聚类分析（cluster analysis,CA）和判别分析（discriminant analysis, DA）,建立鉴别大豆种子活力的方法。结果表明,在正离子模式下,电喷雾萃取电离质谱结合多变量分析方法可以有效鉴别不同活力大豆种子。主成分分析提取了前3个主成分因子,累计贡献率达到94.80%,聚类分析和判别分析的正确率都为100%,对外部验证样本进行判别分析,正确率为95%。电喷雾萃取电离质谱能快速鉴别不同活力大豆种子,为种子活力检测提供了一种快速、准确、高效的新方法。     

Effect of Glyphosate and Zinc Application on Yield,Soil Fertility,Yield Components,and Nutritional Status of Soybean

Glyphosate is a widely used nonselective herbicide for the control of agricultural weeds. It is being increasingly used in glyphosate resistant genetically modified plants. However, there are few studies on its effects on the nutritional status of soybean, particularly on the uptake of zinc (Zn). Two experiments were conducted under field conditions in a Typic Quartzipsamment and an Orthic Ferralsol to investigate the effect of glyphosate application × Zn interaction on soil fertility, yield components, seed yield (SY), shoot dry weight (SDW) yield, and nutritional status of soybean. The five Zn rates 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 kg ha^?1 were used in two soybean varieties [BRS 133 (conventional—NGM) and its essentially derived transgenic line BRS 245RR (GM), which was divided into: with (+Gly) and without (–Gly) glyphosate application. Only the P (phosphorus) and Zn available concentrations in the soil were impacted by Zn rates. However, the available P concentration only decreased in the soil planted with GM soybean. Mehlich 1 and diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid–triethanolamine (DTPA–TEA), 7.3 extractants were effective to determine the available Zn. In the two crop sites, the number of pods per plant (NPP) and the SDW yield were affected by the interaction varieties × Zn. SY was influenced by the application of the herbicide, reducing a potential phytotoxic effect with the use of high rates. Regarding the nutrients, only the foliar calcium (Ca), boron (B), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) concentrations were negatively affected by glyphosate, and in the case of Zn, the difference occurred only between the varieties BRS 133 and BRS 245RR.