Notification report

General information

Notification Number: B/SE/03/6371

Member State:Sweden

Date of Acknowledgement:18/12/2003

Title of the Project:
Rhizomania resistant sugar beet Sweden 2004-2008

Proposed period of release From:01/04/2004 To:01/10/2008

Name of the Institute(s) or Company(ies): Syngenta Seeds AB;

3. Is the same GMPt release planned elsewhere in the Community?
No

Planned outside the EU: USA 2002, 01-341-02N USA 2003, 03-087-04n

4 - Has the same GMPt been notified elsewhere by the same notifier?
Yes
If yes, notification number(s):
-

Genetically modified plant

1. Complete name of the recipient or parental plant(s)

2. Description of the traits and characteristics which have been introduced or modified, including marker genes and previous modifications:
The trait that is introduced is resistance to Rhizomania. Rhizomania is a disease in sugar beet that is spreading rapidly. The gene used for the resistance trait confers resistance to the disease, Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus (BNYVV) through interaction with the reproductive system of the virus that will lead to a reduction of the development of the virus in the plant.
As selectable marker was phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) used. PMI allows for the positive selection of cells that express the PMI gene.

Genetic modification

3. Type of genetic modification:
Insertion;

4. In case of insertion of genetic material, give the source and intended function of each constituent fragment of the region to be inserted:
Two genes were introduced in the sugar beet, 1) Rzm, the gene that confers Rhizomania resistance, and 2) PMI, the gene that allows for a selection of transformed cells in tissue culture.

The sugar beet was transformed with a plasmid carrying two genes:
- a gene that confers resistance to Rhizomania
- a gene that allows selection on media containing mannose.
See table below for details

Table1. Size and source of the donor organisms and function of the inserted fragment

DNA sequence: Constitutive Promoter Sequence
Size of sequence: 1,3 kb
Intended function: Promoter
Source and reference: *

DNA sequence: RZM
Size of sequence: 1,6 kb
Intended function: Resistance to BNYVV
Source and reference: *

DNA sequence: Termination Sequence*
Size of sequence: 0,3 kb
Intended function: Terminator
Source and reference: *

DNA sequence: Hsp 80
Size of sequence: 1,5kb
Intended function: Promoter
Source and reference: Brassica sp. Brunke&Wilson 1993

DNA sequence: PMI
Size of sequence: 1,2 kb
Intended function: Selectable Marker
Source and reference: E. coliJoersbo et al., 1998

DNA sequence: 35S
Size of sequence: 0,2 kb
Intended function: Terminator
Source and reference: Cauliflower Mosaic Virus. Odell et al., 1985

* Information treated as Confidential Business Information, and cannot be presented

References

Brunke KJ and SL Wilson. 1993. Patent application EPA 559 603

Joersbo, M., Donaldson, I., Kreiberg, J., Petersen, S.G., Brundstedt, J. and Okkels, F.T. 1998. Analysis of mannose selection used for transformation of sugar beet. Mol. Breeding 4: 111-117.

Odell, J. T., Mag, F., Chua, N-H. 1985. Identification of DNA sequences required for activity for the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter. Nature 313: 810-812.

6. Brief description of the method used for the genetic modification:
The sugar beet was transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation techniques.

7. If the recipient or parental plant is a forest tree species, describe ways and extent of dissemination and specific factors affecting dissemination:
Not applicable

Experimental Release

1. Purpose of the release:
The purpose of the release is to evaluate the level of resistance to BNYVV.

2. Geographical location of the site:
The location of the release will be in Åhus or Ystad (Sweden).

3. Size of the site (m2):
The site of release will not be bigger than 2000 m2. This area includes the GM plants, the non-GM control plants, and the surrounding area that is not cultivated.

4. Relevant data regarding previous releases carried out with the same GM-plant, if any, specifically related to the potential environmental and human health impacts from the release:
The same events were grown in a deliberate release in US in 2002 and 2003. No negative impact on the environment or human health were recorded during this release.

Environmental Impact and Risk Management

Summary of the potential environmental impact from the release of the GMPts:
The GM sugar beet will not be allowed to bolt. This will eliminate the risk of pollen spread of the GM trait.
The site will be monitored for one year after the release. During the year after the release, the site will be grown with a monocot species. Any volunteer sugar beet appearing in the monocot crop, will be eliminated by the herbicides used in monocot crops, or removed by mechanical means.

Based on then above, it is our conclusion that this release will have negligible impact on the environment.

Brief description of any measures taken for the management of risks:
The GM sugar beet will not be allowed to bolt. This will eliminate the risk of pollen spread of the GM trait.
The site will be monitored for one year after the release. During the year after the release, the site will be grown with a monocot species. Any volunteer sugar beet appearing in the monocot crop, will be eliminated by the herbicides used in monocot crops, or removed by mechanical means.

Summary of foreseen field trial studies focused to gain new data on environmental and human health impact from the release:
The purpose of this release is to evaluate the level of resistance to BNYVV, not to gain new data on the environmental and human health impact of the release.