Abstract: Whether the commercial planting of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic crops could have potential adverse effects on soil ecosystem is a controversial issue over the past decade. The Bt larvicidal protein from Bttransgenic crops can enter into the soil in various ways, leading to the changes in soil organisms and in the essential functions of soil ecosystem. Soil earthworm can accelerate the degradation of animal and crop residues, and promote the decomposition and mineralization of soil organic matter. As compared with other soil organisms, soil earthworm is more sensitive to some pollutants. In the present paper, the research progress in the effects of Bttransgenic crops on the nontarget soil animal earthworm was summarized from the aspects of the earthworm species and the methods applied in related experiments as well as the problems explored in related studies, and the future research trend was prospected. The aim of this review was to provide a reference for the study of the effects of Bttransgenic crops on nontarget soil animals, and to offer the basis for the comprehensive evaluation of Bttransgenic crops on soil ecosystem.

Key words: soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), plant, water condition, water transport.