Soil microbes and soil quality - Definition of a monitoring strategy for the assessment of effects of genetically modified plants on soils

Soil microbial communities are the key factor for a sustainable land use and preservation of soil quality. Bacteria, fungi and Archaea act as drivers for all major nutrient cycles and control plant development and health. Vice versa microbes in soil are highly influenced by the plants, as exsudates and litter provide important carbon sources for microbial activities. Therefore an assessment of effects of transgenic plants is only! possible, if effects of classical cultivars are well understood. However, also parameters like temperature, soil type, fertilization and pesticide management and the season have an impact on soil microbiota. Therefore several factors have to be taken into account when monitoring strategies for the impact of genetically modified plants on soil quality should be developed.