Date of publication: September 5, 2004
Source:
http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse_geninf.asp
Notification
report
General information
Notification Number:
B/FR/04/02/01
Member State:France
Date of Acknowledgement:1/20/2004
Title of the Project:
Five year field trials programme (2004-2008) for development of
genetically modified maize containing a Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. kurstaki gene that confers the resistance to the European
Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and the Roundup Ready® genes
that confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate.
Proposed period of release From:4/1/2004
To:12/31/2008
Name of the Institute(s) or Company(ies): Monsanto
France
3. Is the same GMPt release planned elsewhere in the
Community? Yes: Germany; Spain
4 - Has the same GMPt been notified elsewhere by the same
notifier? No
Genetically
modified plant
1. Complete name of the
recipient or parental plant(s)
|
Common Name
|
Family Name
|
Genus
|
Species
|
Subspecies
|
Cultivar/breeding line
|
|
maize |
poaceae |
zea |
zea mays |
mays |
|
2. Description of the traits and characteristics which have
been introduced or modified, including marker genes and previous
modifications:
The genes which have been introduced into the maize plant by
traditional breeding (crossing of NK 603 and MON 810 parental
lines) confer the following traits:
- tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient of the
herbicide Roundup®.
- resistance to the European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), by
expression of a Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki protein.
This protein has been demonstrated to be specifically effective
in controlling a number of lepidopterian (caterpillar) insects
at the larval stage of growth.
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:
In the case of the Bt parental line (MON810), pUC-Kan
plasmids from Escherichia Coli have been used as vectors. The
vector backbones contain replication sequences, virulence genes,
the nptII gene that confers neomycin phosphotransferase activity
in bacteria under laboratory conditions, and a combination of
the following genes:
1. A gene fusion between the chloroplaste transit peptide
sequence from the Arabidopsis thaliana EPSPS gene and a sequence
that encodes an EPSPS enzyme similar to that of Agrobacterium
sp. Strain CP4. This enzyme confers Roundup tolerance in the
plant.
2. A gene fusion between the chloroplast transit peptide
sequence from the Arabidopsis thaliana SSU1a gene and a
synthtetic sequence that encodes the glyphosate degradation thus
conferring Roundup tolerance in the plant.
3. A synthetic gene encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis insect
control protein.
The transformations contain and express only the Bacillus
thuringiensis gene. The expression of Bt protein confers
resistance to Lepidoptera larvae, including European Corn Borer.
In the case of the Roundup Ready parental line, the
transformation event contains a protein gene from Agrobacterium
species strain CP4 (e.g.CP4 EPSPS) which confers tolerance to
glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide.
6. Brief description of the method used for the genetic
modification:
Maize plants tissue have been transformed by particle
acceleration method.
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 proposed experiments are part of a programme based on
progeny of maize plants containing, the Roundup Ready TM genes
(tolerance to glyphosate). The aims of the programme are:
1 - to field test the performance of weed control programmes
with different rates/stages of Roundup ;
2 - to evaluate the agronomic performance (yield) of maize
containing the Roundup Ready TM genes when sprayed with
rates/stages of application of Roundup ;
3 - to produce vegetative plant material and grain in order to
assess quality parameters of the transformed maize ;
4 - to study the lepidopteran insect tolerance of maize plants ;
5 - to conduct small demonstrative platforms ;
6 - to conduct characterization trials to get the variety
registration (CTPS) ;
7 - to follow seeds selection trials and seed production for
research.
2. Geographical location of the site:
The releases are planned at several locations in 2004 within
the following areas: Haute-Garonne, Landes, Loiret, Vienne.
3. Size of the site (m2):
Each site will have up to 5000 m2 sown with the GM plants
concerned by this application, the total area covered by the
trial will be higher.
There will be up to 9 field trials sown each year.
Environmental
Impact and Risk Management
Summary of the potential
environmental impact from the release of the GMPts:
Several generations of the transgenic maize plants have been
tested previously in different environments in Europe since
1994. These experiments have demonstrated that the plants
resemble the recipient plant in all respect differing only in
their ability to be tolerant to the European Corn Borer or to
the herbicide glyphosate.
Measures will be taken to avoid seed dissemination at harvest
and during transportation (see E.). Maize can hybridize with
teosinte but these plants are not present in Europe. The
possibility of hybridization with other maize plants will be
minimised by a spatial isolation distance of 200 meters form
other cultivated maize. Some trials (efficacy especially) could
be carried out without isolation. In this case, the trials will
be destroyed before the flowering stage of the crop. Four rows
of non transgenic maize (commercial hybrid) will surround all
the trials and act as pollen trap.
Brief description of any measures taken for the management of
risks:
1. The spatial isolation distance (200 m) from other maize
crops and/or the four rows of non transgenic maize surrounding
the trials will prevent most of the possibility of hybridisation
with other maize plants. Some trials (efficacy especially) could
be carried out without isolation. In this case, the trials will
be destroyed before the flowering stage of the crop.
2. The equipment, especially the experimental drill and combine,
will be cleaned on the experimental site, thus preventing seed
dissemination.
3. After completion of harvest, the stalks will be chopped and
then incorporated into the soil. Any shattered seed will be
allowed to germinate. The resulting seedlings will be destroyed
by soil incorporation.
4. Although regrowth in the rotation crops is unlikely because
of poor winter survival, the site will be sown with a spring
crop (different from corn). Volunteer plants will be controlled
by the use of mechanical measures and applications of routinely
used commercial antimonocotyledonous herbicides in this crop.
5. Seed will be transported in sealed and labelled bags placed
in a rigid container. |
