Effects of genetically modified amylopectin-accumulating potato plants on the abundance of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms in the rhizosphere.

In this study, the potential effects of a genetically modified (GM) amylopectin-accumulating potato line (Solanum tuberosum L.) on plant beneficial bacteria and fungi as well as on phytopathogens in the rhizosphere were investigated in a greenhouse experiment and a field trial. For comparison, the non-transgenic parental cultivar of the GM line and a second non-transgenic cultivar were included in the study. Rhizospheres were sampled during young leaf development (EC30) and at florescence (EC60). The microbial community composition was analysed by real-time PCR to quantify the abundances of Pseudomonas spp., Clavibacter michiganensis, Trichoderma spp. and Phytophthora infestans. Additionally, total bacterial and fungal abundances were measured. None of the examined gene abundance patterns were affected by the genetic modification when wild type and GM line were compared. However, significant differences were observed between the two natural potato cultivars, especially during the early leaf development of the plants. Furthermore, gene abundance patterns were also influenced by the plant developmental stage. Interestingly, the impact of the cultivar and the plant vegetation stage on the microbial community structure was more pronounced in field than in greenhouse. Overall, field-grown plants showed a higher abundance of microorganisms in the rhizosphere than plants grown under greenhouse conditions