Phenotypic variations between non-transgenic and transgenic maize hybrids

The use of transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (Bt, RR, Bt-RR) has simplified crop husbandry, mainly due to a more effective control of pests and weeds. The effects of transgenes insertion on phenotypic traits of maize hybrids are not fully documented, especially without the incidence of pests and weeds. The objectives of this work were (i) to establish phenotypic differences in terms of phenology, growth and yield among a non-transgenic maize hybrid and their transgenic versions (Bt hybrid, RR hybrid and Bt-RR hybrid) and among the transgenic versions of other genetic background and (ii) to analyze the impact of crowding stress on inter-plant variability of the different traits under study. Field experiments were conducted in Buenos Aires (34°36′S, 58°26′W), Argentina during 2008–2009 (Exp 1), 2009–2010 (Exp 2) and 2010–2011 (Exp 3). Genotypes were cultivated at contrasting plant densities (6 and 12 pl m−2 in Exp 1 and Exp 2) and with contrasting inter-plant spaces within the row (Exp 3), irrigated, without nutrient limitations, and with chemical and mechanical controls of weed and animal pests. At both plant densities, phenotypic variability of several traits among versions within each group was recorded. For example, the RR version of DK747 group had the shortest thermal time to flowering. The stacked transgenic hybrids DK747MGRR and DK190MGRR, exhibited the highest ear growth rate (EGRCP) during the critical period for kernel set. However, both genotypes had the lowest reproductive efficiency (i.e. kernel number per unit of EGRCP), that counterbalanced their higher EGRCP. Only the Bt-RR version of DK747 showed a higher inter-plant variability (CV) of EGRCP at low mean EGRCP values a symptom of the intolerance of this genotype to crowing stress. Consequently, the different versions of each group of hybrids had a similar kernel number per plant and grain yield. We conclude that the introduction of transgenes may alter in some way, the behavior of plants in different eco-physiological aspects in the absence of pests and weeds.

► Phenotypic variability of several traits between the non-transgenic and the transgenic versions of maize hybrids was recorded.
► The RR versions had the shortest thermal times to anthesis and silking.
► The Bt-RR version exhibited the largest ear growth rate around silking, but the lowest reproductive efficiency.
► The introduction of transgenes altered the behavior of maize plants in different eco-physiological aspects.