[Effects of transgenic crops on soil ecosystem]

The effects of transgenic crops on the soil ecosystem were reviewed. The activity of Cry I Ab gene and proteinase inhibitor gene in the soil was summarized. The differences of soil microbes' components, soil enzyme activities, and soil fauna between genetic crops and isogenic strain crops were analyzed. According to current progress, the potential impacts of transgenic plant on soil microorganisms depend on the characteristics of the gene transferred into the crops and the soil properties. The change of soil ecosystem affected by many factors, and among them, the complex and stability of the ecosystem are the most important. The ecological effects of transgenic crops on the soil ecosystem need to be evaluated more fully before they are planted over extensive areas. Much effort should be devoted to the development of molecular techniques method to assess the effects of transgenic crops on soil ecosystem.