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March 16, 2007
Source:
CropBiotech Update
Results of a pre-commercial field
scale trial conducted in 30 sites in Germany demonstrated that
coexistence between Bt maize and the non-transgenic counterpart
is possible. The study conducted by W. E. Weber and colleagues
at the Martin Luther
University, showed that levels of the transgene in the
grains of the non-transgenic maize can be kept below 0.9
percent, the threshold level for labeling GM products in the
European Union.
The group of Weber grew maize in field sites ranging from 0.3 to
23 hectares in size. In all areas, a Bt maize hybrid containing
transgenic event MON810 was planted in the middle of the field
and surrounded by non-Bt maize. The maize flowering times were
overlapping. During harvesting, the researchers obtained plant
samples from the non-Bt maize located 0 to 60 meters away from
the Bt maize. The DNA of the samples was analyzed by two
diagnostic laboratories where real-time PCR was used to detect
the levels of the transgene.
The study has determined that no samples from the conventional
maize collected beyond 10 meters had levels of GM above the
threshold of 0.9 percent. The researchers recommend that
planting 20 meters of conventional maize as a pollen barrier
between adjacent fields is sufficient in managing the
outcrossing between Bt and non-Bt maize.
Subscribers to the Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science can
access the full article at
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1439-037X.2006.00245.x |
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