Genetic and ecological consequences of introgression of transgenic wheat in a wild relative, Aegilops cylindrica: an open field experiment
| Responsable du projet | François Felber |
| Collaborateur |
Christian Parisod
Xavier Benrey Nils Arrigo Roberto Guadagnuolo Anouk Sarr Béguin Ana Pinto |
| Partenaire | Roberto Guadagnuolo |
| Résumé |
Establishment of modified genes If genes from genetically modified
plants were to be passed on to their wild relatives, there could be
serious ecological consequences, particularly if these genes were to
become established in the genomes of wild plants. So far, little is
known about these processes. Background One possible risk
associated with genetically modified crop plants is the propagation
of their genes through cross-breeding with closely related species.
Scientists are seeking to assess whether resistance could be
transferred from crop plants to weeds in this way and subsequently
propagated in the weeds. If this was the case, these weeds would
also become resistant to diseases or herbicides, an undesirable
side effect. Objectives Hybrids of transgenic wheat and a close
relative, jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica), will be grown
under greenhouse conditions to generate information on the
propagation of modified genes and whether they can become
established in the genome of a wild species over several
generations. The ecological consequences of this type of gene
transfer will be investigated as part of the field trial with
transgenic wheat (cf. Keller project I). Methods A first generation
of transgenic wheat and jointed goatgrass hybrids will be bred in a
greenhouse trial. Subsequent generations will be studied to see how
the transgenic sequences from the wheat are passed on in the hybrids
and how active they are. In addition, the ecological consequences
will be assessed in a field trial. Significance There is already
considerable information about the risk of cross-breeding between
transgenic crop plants and their wild relatives, but little is
known about the ecological consequences. The project closes this
gap by investigating how the modified genes from transgenic wheat
can be inherited in cross-breeding with goatgrass and whether the
resulting plants have new ecological traits such as undesirable
resistance. |
| Mots-clés |
Risk assessment, gene flow, genetically engineered plants, wheat, Aegilops cylindrica |
| Page internet | http://p3.snf.ch/project-115597# |
| Type de projet | Recherche fondamentale |
| Domaine de recherche | Botanique |
| Source de financement | PNR 59 Plantes génétiquement modifiées |
| Etat | Terminé |
| Début de projet | 1-6-2007 |
| Fin du projet | 31-7-2011 |
| Budget alloué | 300'000.00 |
| Contact | François Felber |