|
Monitoring gene flow from transgenic sugar beet
using cytoplasmic male- sterile bait plants
Saeglitz, C.; Pohl, M.; Bartsch, D. Correspondent
Department of Biology V, Ecology, Ecochemistry and Ecotoxicology, Aachen
University of Technology-RWTH Aachen, Worringerweg 1, 52056 Aachen, Germany
Source Molecular Ecology vol. 9 (12) p.2035-2040
Abstract
One of the most discussed environmental effects associated with the use
of transgenic plants is the flow of genes to plants in the environment.
The flow of genes may occur through pollen since it is the reproductive
system that is designed for gene movement. Pollen-mediated gene escape
is hard to control in mating plants. Pollen from a wind pollinator can
move over distances of more than 1000 m. To investigate the efficiency
of transgenic pollen movement under realistic environmental conditions,
the use of bait plants might be an effective tool. As the pollen source,
transgenic sugar beets were used that express recombinant DNA encoding
viral (beet necrotic yellow vein virus) resistance, and antibiotic (kanamycin)
and herbicide (glufosinate) tolerance genes. In a field trial, the effectiveness
of a hemp (Cannabis sativa) stripe containment strategy was tested by
measuring the frequency of pollinated CMS bait plants placed at different
distances and directions from a transgenic pollen source. The results
demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the containment strategy. Physiological
and molecular tests confirmed the escape and production of transgenic
offspring more than 200 m behind the hemp containment. Since absolute
containment is unlikely to be effective, the CMS-bait plant detection
system is a useful tool for other monitoring purposes.
27 ref.
|