Date of publication: December 19,
2006
Source:
http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse_geninf.asp
Notification number:
B/FR/06/12/15
Member State
France
Date of Acknowledgement
10/11/2006 00:00:00
Title of the Project
Notification for the release into the
environment of genetically modified potatoes with improved
resistance to Phytophthora infestans (2007 – 2011)
Proposed period of release:
01/04/2007 00:00:00 to 31/10/2011
00:00:00
Name of the Institute(s) or
Company(ies)
BASF Plant Science GmbH,
Carl-Bosch-Strasse 38, D-67056 Ludwigshaven GERMANY;
3. Is the same GMPt release planned
elsewhere in the Community?
Yes:
Has the same GMPt been notified
elsewhere by the same notifier?
Yes
If yes, notification number(s):
B/DE/05/174; B/GB/06/R42/01;
B/IE/06/01; B/NL/05/03; B/SE/05/450; B/SE/05/8615;
Other notifications
B/DE/06/183
Genetically modified plant
Complete name of the recipient or
parental plant(s)
|
Common Name |
Family Name |
Genus |
Species |
Subspecies |
Cultivar/breeding line |
| potato |
solanaceae |
solanum |
solanum tuberosum |
tuberosum |
|
2. Description of the traits and
characteristics which have been introduced or modified,
including marker genes and previous modifications:
- improved resistance to Phytophthora
infestans
- Ahas gene (tolerance to Imidazolinones) as selectable marker
gene to identify transgenic cells in tissue culture
Genetic modification
3. Type of genetic modification:
Insertion;
In case of insertion of genetic
material, give the source and intended function of each
constituent fragment of the region to be inserted:
- T-DNA borders, pTiT37, for
incorporation into plant chromosome
- ahas gene, A. thaliana, imidazolinone tolerance in plant
material
- Promoter and terminator from nopaline synthase gene, A.
tumefaciens, gene regulation
- Resistance genes Rpi-blb1 and Rpi-blb2, Solanum bulbocastanum,
with endogenous promoters and terminators for improved
resistance to Phytophthora infestans
6. Brief description of the method
used for the genetic modification:
Plasmid DNA was introduced into the
potato lines by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer technology.
This is standard technology for potato transformation.
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, within
the frame of safety studies to compile data on agronomical
performance and environmental effects, as well as to evaluate
resistance against Phytophthora infestans, collect plant
material for further analyses, as well as to generate seed
tubers.
2. Geographical location of the site:
The release sites will be located in
the regions Picardie and Nord-Pas-de-Calais.
3. Size of the site (m2):
The genetically modified plants will
occupy no more than 1 ha (10,000m2) in an experimental plot of
less than 2 ha.
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:
Releases of the same potato plants are
ongoing in the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany, therefore
relevant data related to the potential environmental and human
health impacts from the release are not available yet. For other
potato lines with ahas gene in previous field trials in Germany
and other EU countries since 2002 or with an introduced Rpi-blb2
gene during 2005 in Sweden no adverse impacts on the environment
or human health have been recorded.
Environmental Impact and Risk
Management
Summary of the potential environmental
impact from the release of the GMPts:
The genetically modified potato lines
contain two NBS-LRR-genes, Rpi-blb1 and Rpi-blb2, from S.
bulbocastanum for conferring improved resistance to P.
infestans. Many conventional potato varieties also contain
NBS-LRR-genes that have been introgressed from wild Solanum
species. An intended effect of the introduced trait is an
increased survivability in potato fields exposed to P.
infestans. This possible selective advantage, however, is of
importance only in the agricultural field, and will not improve
the survivability in the surrounding environment. The reduced
need for fungicides on these lines can easily be identified as
an environmental benefit.
The ahas gene expressed in the potato plants imparts tolerance
to the herbicidal active substance Imazamox to the shoots during
the selection process in cell culture. This confers no selective
advantage in the field since Imidazolinone herbicides are not
approved for use on crops in France and since no field tolerance
is expected in the potato plants. No difference with respect to
persistence in agriculturally utilised habitats or invasiveness
into natural habitats as compared to conventional potato
varieties is expected. Through the measures that are taken
during the release, distance from or absence of conventionally
cultivated potatoes or wild species, the possibility of any gene
transfer can be virtually ruled out. Even in the very improbable
event that pollen were to be transferred to genetically
unmodified potato plants, no consequences are to be expected,
since potato propagation conventionally takes place via tubers
and not via seeds. The interactions of the genetically modified
potato line with non-target organisms and the effects resulting
from this will be comparable to those with conventional potato
varieties. Furthermore, no toxic or allergenic effects are
expected on the basis of the improved resistance to Phytophthora
infestans or the expressed AHAS protein. No effects on
biogeochemical processes are expected, other than those that
apply also to conventional potatoes.
Brief description of any measures
taken for the management of risks:
An isolation distance of 10 m to other
potato varieties will be observed. Planting and harvesting
equipment will be cleaned on site to prevent the dispersal of GM
tubers. There will be no potato cultivation on the release area
the year following the release. Potential volunteers will be
monitored and removed according to conventional agricultural
practice. During the release the trial site will be monitored at
defined intervals.
Summary of foreseen field trial
studies focused to gain new data on environmental and human
health impact from the release:
Not applicable.
Final report
-
European Commission administrative
information
Consent given by the Competent
Authority:
Not known |
