Date of publication: September 18,
2006
Source:
http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse_geninf.asp
Notification number:
B/GB/06/R42/01
Member State:United Kingdom
Date of Acknowledgement: 21/08/2006
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 From:01/04/2007
To:31/10/2011
Name of the Institute(s) or Company(ies): BASF Plant
Science GmbH;
3. Is the same GMPt release planned elsewhere in the
Community?
Yes: Germany; 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 2 release sites will be located in
- District Erewash, community Borrowash, on a farm at ordnance
survey map grid reference SK 4333 & SK 4334 (one field that
spans two references)
- District South Cambrigdeshire, Girton/ Histon & Impigton, six
fields on a farm at ordnance survey map grid reference TL 4362 ,
TL 4262 , TL 4362, TL 4362 , TL 4363 , TL 4363. In any given
year only 1 field out of the list of 6 fields will be planted.
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 the UK 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 20 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
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