Date of publication: March 7,
2006
Source:
http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse_geninf.asp
Notification number:
B/DE/05/174
Member State:Germany
Date of Acknowledgement:16/11/2005
Title of the Project:
Application for the release into the environment of
genetically modified potatoes with improved resistance to
Phytophthora infestans (2006 – 2010)
Proposed period of release From:01/04/2006
To:31/10/2010
Name of the Institute(s) or Company(ies): BASF Plant
Science GmbH;
3. Is the same GMPt release planned elsewhere in the
Community?
Yes: Ireland; Netherlands; Sweden
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
|
| 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;
4. 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 P. 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 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,
Sachsen-Anhalt, Bayern and Niedersachsen.
3. Size of the site (m2):
Between approx. 1 to 50 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:
There have been no previous releases of the same potato
plants. 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 Germany 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 which 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 P. 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 |
