INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3479, 'Detailed characterization of Mirafiori lettuce virus-resistant transgenic lettuce.', 'Lettuce big-vein disease is caused by Mirafiori lettuce virus (MiLV), which is vectored by the soil-borne fungus Olpidium brassicae. A MiLV-resistant transgenic lettuce line was developed through introducing inverted repeats of the MiLV coat protein (CP) gene. Here, a detailed characterization study of this lettuce line was conducted by comparing it with the parental, non-transformed ‘Kaiser’ cultivar. There were no significant differences between transgenic and non-transgenic lettuce in terms of pollen fertility, pollen dispersal, seed production, seed dispersal, dormancy, germination, growth of seedlings under low or high temperature, chromatographic patterns of leaf extracts, or effects of lettuce on the growth of broccoli or soil microflora. A significant difference in pollen size was noted, but the difference was small. The length of the cotyledons of the transgenic lettuce was shorter than that of ‘Kaiser,’ but there were no differences in other morphological characteristics. Agrobacterium tumefaciens used for the production of transgenic lettuce was not detected in transgenic seeds. The transgenic T3, T4, and T5 generations showed higher resistance to MiLV and big-vein symptoms expression than the resistant ‘Pacific’ cultivar, indicating that high resistance to lettuce big-vein disease is stably inherited. PCR analysis showed that segregation of the CP gene was nearly 3:1 in the T1 and T2 generations, and that the transgenic T3 generation was homozygous for the CP gene. Segregation of the neomycin phosphotransferase II (npt II) gene was about 3:1 in the T1 generation, but the full length npt II gene was not detected in the T2 or T3 generation. The segregation pattern of the CP and npt II genes in the T1 generation showed the expected 9:3:3:1 ratio. These results suggest that the fragment including the CP gene and that including the npt II gene have been integrated into two unlinked loci, and that the T1 plant selected in our study did not have the npt II gene. DNA sequences flanking T-DNA insertions in the T2 generation were determined using inverse PCR, and showed that the right side of the T-DNA including the npt II gene had been truncated in the transgenic lettuce.', 'en_US'),
(3480, 'Exposure and nontarget effects of transgenic Bt corn debris in streams.', 'Corn (Zea mays L.) transformed with a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) comprises 49% of all corn in the United States. The input of senesced corn tissue expressing the Bt gene may impact stream-inhabiting invertebrates that process plant debris, especially trichopteran species related to the target group of lepidopteran pests. Our goal was to assess risk associated with transgenic corn debris entering streams. First, we show the input of corn tissue after harvest was extended over months in a stream. Second, using laboratory bioassays based on European corn borer [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)], we found no bioactivity of Cry1Ab protein in senesced corn tissue after 2 wk of exposure to terrestrial or aquatic environments. Third, we show that Bt near-isolines modify growth and survivorship of some species of invertebrates. Of the four nontarget invertebrate species fed Bt near-isolines, growth of two closely related trichopterans was not negatively affected, whereas a tipulid crane fly exhibited reduced growth rates, and an isopod exhibited reduced growth and survivorship on the Cry1Ab near-isoline but not on the stacked Cry1Ab + Cry3Bb1 near-isoline. Because of lack of evidence of bioactivity of Bt after 2 wk and because of lack of nontarget effects on the stacked near-isoline, we suggest that tissue-mediated differences, and not the presence of the Cry1Ab protein, caused the different responses among the species. Overall, our results provide evidence that adverse effects to aquatic nontarget shredders involve complex interactions arising from plant genetics and environment that cannot be ascribed to the presence of Cry1Ab proteins.', 'en_US'),
(3481, 'Impacts of six Bt rice lines on nontarget rice feeding thrips under laboratory and field conditions.', 'Nontarget impacts of six transgenic Bt rice lines (expressing the Cry1Ab or Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac protein) on the thrips, Stenchaetothrips biformis (Bagnall), attacking the rice seedling and tillering stages, were evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. Laboratory results showed relatively longer larval, pupal development and preoviposition durations of S. biformis. Although it had a shorter oviposition period, female adult longevity and less total laid eggs were found when fed on some tested Bt rice in comparison to non-Bt controls. S. biformis population dynamics in Bt and non-Bt plots were monitored using the plastic bag and beat plate methods. In the field, the temporal patterns of S. biformis population changes were similar between tested Bt rice lines and their respective control; however, the total number of S. biformis individuals collected from the Bt plots were significantly less or the same, varying from variety to variety, compared with those from the non-Bt plots. ELISA results showed that the Bt insecticidal protein could be transferred from Bt rice to the thrips, and the concentrations of the protein in rice leaves and thrips were not significantly correlated with some important biological parameters of the thrip. In addition, the potential effects of Bt rice on the abundance of S. biformis candidate predators are also discussed. In conclusion, our results show that the six Bt rice lines assessed may be less preferable host plants to S. biformis at the individual and population levels in comparison to the non-Bt rice plants.', 'en_US'),
(3482, 'Supplemental control of lepidopterous pests on Bt transgenic sweet corn with biologically-based spray treatments.', 'Biologically-based spray treatments, including nucleopolyhedroviruses, neem, and spinosad, were evaluated as supplemental controls for the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on transgenic sweet corn, Zea mays (L.) (Poales: Poaceae), expressing a Cry1Ab toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt). Overall, transgenic corn supported lower densities of both pests than did nontransgenic corn. Control of the fall armyworm was improved in both whorl-stage and tassel-stage corn by the use of either a nucleopolyhedrovirus or neem, but the greatest improvement was seen with spinosad. Only\r\nspinosad consistently reduced damage to ears, which was caused by both pest species. In general, efficacy of the spray materials did not differ greatly between transgenic and nontransgenic corn.\r\n', 'en_US'),
(3483, 'A primer for using transgenic insecticidal cotton in developing countries.', 'Many developing countries face the decision of whether to approve the testing and commercial use of insecticidal transgenic cotton and the task of developing adequate regulations for its use. In this review, we outline concepts and provide information to assist farmers, regulators and scientists in making decisions concerning this technology. We address seven critical topics: 1) molecular and breeding techniques used for the development of transgenic cotton cultivars, 2) properties of transgenic cotton cultivars and their efficacy against major insect pests, 3) agronomic performance of transgenic cotton in developing countries, 4) factors affecting transgene expression, 5) impact of gene flow between transgenic and non-transgenic cotton, 6) non-target effects of transgenic cotton, and 7) management of pest resistance to transgenic cotton. ', 'en_US'),
(3484, 'Novel pink bollworm resistance to the Bt toxin Cry1Ac: effects on mating, oviposition, larval development and survival.', 'Bt cotton plants are genetically engineered to produce insecticidal toxins from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) bacterium and target key lepidopteran pests. In all previous strains of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) selected in the laboratory for resistance to insecticidal Cry1Ac toxin using an artificial diet containing the toxin, resistance to Cry1Ac and to Bt cotton is linked to three cadherin alleles (r1, r2, and r3). In contrast, the BG(4) pink bollworm strain was selected for resistance to Bt cotton by feeding larvae for four days in each of 42 generations on bolls of ‘NuCOTN33B®‘ that expressed Cry1Ac toxin. After additional selection for eleven generations on Cry1Ac-incorporated diet, the susceptibility to Cry1Ac, fecundity, egg viability, and mating of this strain (Bt4R) was compared with the unselected Cry1Ac-susceptible parent strain. Some larvae of the Bt4R strain survived on diet containing &amp;#8805;10 &amp;#956;g Cry1Ac per milliliter artificial diet, but none survived on transgenic cotton bolls. In contrast to strains selected exclusively on Cry1Ac diet, some survival of progeny of reciprocal moth crosses of Bt4R resistant and Bt-susceptible strains occurred on Cry1Ac-treated diet, suggesting differences in levels of dominance. The Bt4R resistant strain does not have the r1, r2, or r3 mutant cadherin genes as do all previous strains of pink bollworm selected on Cry1Ac-treated artificial diet. The combined results suggest a mechanism of resistance to Cry1Ac that is different from previously described cadherin mutations.', 'en_US'),
(3485, 'Future fitness of female insect pests in temporally stable and unstable habitats and its impact on habitat utility as refuges for insect resistance management.', 'The long-term fitness of individuals is examined in complex and temporally dynamic ecosystems. We call this multigeneration fitness measure “future fitness”. Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous insect that feeds on many wild and cultivated hosts. While four generations of H. zea occur during the cropping season in the U.S. Mid Southern agroecosysem, the latter two generations were of most interest, as corn (which has been largely nontransgenic in the Mid-South) dominates the first two generations in the cropping system. In simulations of the evolution of resistance to Bt-transgenic crops, cotton refuge areas were found to be significantly more effective than similar soybean acreages at delaying the evolution of resistance. Cotton is a suitable host for H. zea during two late summer generations, while a soybean field is suitable for only one of these generations, therefore soybean fields of other maturity groups were simulated as being attractive during the alternative generation. A hypothetical soybean variety was tested in which a single field would be attractive over both generations and it was found to be significantly more effective at delaying resistance than simulated conventional soybean varieties. Finally, the placement of individuals emerging at the start of the 3rd (first without corn) generation was simulated in either refuge cotton, conventional soybean and the hypothetical long attractive soybean and the mean number of offspring produced was measured at the end of the season. Although females in conventional and long soybean crops had the same expected fecundity, because of differences in temporal stability of the two crops, the long soybean simulations had significantly more H. zea individuals at the end of the season than the conventional soybean simulations. These simulations demonstrate that the long-term fecundity associated with an individual is dependent not only on the fecundity of that individual in its current habitat, but also the temporal stability of habitats, the ecosystem at large and the likelihood that the individual’s offspring will move into different habitats.', 'en_US'),
(3486, 'Bacterial community as an indicator of genetically modified common bean effect on nontarget organisms.', 'The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of genetically modified common bean for Bean Golden Mosaic Virus, BGMV, resistance (Olathe M1-4) on nontarget organisms. In a field experiment established in a completely randomized design with two treatments (Olathe Pinto cultivar and M1-4 Olathe elite event), two sampling periods (V4 and R6 stages) and ten replicates, cultivated and non-cultivated bacterial cells from rhizosphere soil and bulk soil were obtained, and their total DNA was extracted. The V6-V8 region of 16S rDNA was amplified for the whole bacterial community, and primers specific for the alpha (&amp;#945;) subgroup of the Proteobacteria phylum were obtained from uncultured cells and used for amplification. Using the Jaccard coefficient and UPGMA (Unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean), dendrograms comparing the conventional Olathe Pinto and the elite event Olathe M1-4 transgenic varieties were obtained. The clusters obtained from the 16S rDNA PCR-DGGE profiles indicate changes in the rhizosphere bacterial community in genetically modified plants, being more notable in the profiles obtained for alphaproteobacteria. Sample origin and plant development stages affect bacterial community profiles.', 'en_US'),
(3487, 'Effects of single and mixed infections with wild type and genetically modified Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus on movement behaviour of cotton bollworm larvae.', 'Naturally occurring insect viruses can modify the behaviour of infected insects and thereby modulate virus transmission. Modifications of the virus genome could alter these behavioural effects. We studied the distance moved and the position of virus-killed cadavers of fourth instars of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) infected with a wild-type genotype of H. armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaSNPV) or with one of two recombinant genotypes of this virus on cotton plants. The behavioural effects of virus infection were examined both in larvae infected with a single virus genotype, and in larvae challenged with mixtures of the wild-type and one of the recombinant viruses. An egt-negative virus variant caused more rapid death and lower virus yield in fourth instars, but egt-deletion did not produce consistent behavioural effects over three experiments, two under controlled glasshouse conditions and one in field cages. A recombinant virus containing the AaIT-(Androctonus australis Hector) insect-selective toxin gene, which expresses a neurotoxin derived from a scorpion, caused faster death and cadavers were found lower down the plant than insects infected with unmodified virus. Larvae that died from mixed infections of the AaIT-expressing recombinant and the wild-type virus died at positions significantly lower, compared to infection with the pure wild-type viral strain. The results indicate that transmission of egt-negative variants of HaSNPV are likely to be affected by lower virus yield, but not by behavioural effects of egt gene deletion. By contrast, the AaIT recombinant will produce lower virus yields as well as modified behaviour, which together can contribute to reduced virus transmission under field conditions. In addition, larvae infected with both the wild-type virus and the toxin recombinant behaved as larvae infected with the toxin recombinant only, which might be a positive factor for the risk assessment of such toxin recombinants in the environment.', 'en_US'),
(3488, 'Determination of gene escape and fruit quality characteristics in transgenic melon (Cucumis melo L. var. inodorus).', 'Gene escape and fruit quality characteristics of transgenic melons (Cucumis melo L. var inodorus cv. ''Kirkagac 637'') resistant to zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and control plants were investigated under screenhouse conditions. No significant differences were observed between transgenic and transgenic × control genotypes, with regard to rind thickness, fruit cavity length, fruit cavity width, total soluble solids, pistil scar diameter, and peduncle length. Fruit characters, including fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, fruit flesh thickness, and peduncle diameter were significantly different. These results indicate that transgenic × control genotypes had higher values than transgenic (T4 and T20) genotypes, regarding fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, fruit flesh thickness, and peduncle diameter. Significant differences were not observed between transgenic (T4 and T20), control, and transgenic × control genotypes in terms of L-ascorbic acid, malic acid, citric acid, sucrose, glucose, or fructose, but differences were observed for fruit total acidity. Esters, lactones, and alcohols were aroma components, but none differed significantly between the transgenic and control genotypes. The results show that there was 100% gene escape in the control plants within 10 m of the transgenic plants, while there was 70% gene escape in plants 12.5, 15, and 17.5 m from the transgenic plants under screenhouse conditions.', 'en_US'),
(3489, 'Long-term persistence of crop alleles in weedy populations of wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum).', 'Hybridization allows transgenes and other crop alleles to spread to wild/weedy populations of related taxa. Researchers have debated whether such alleles will persist because low hybrid fitness and linkage to domestication traits could severely impede introgression. To examine variation in the fates of three unlinked crop alleles, we monitored four experimental, self-seeding, hybrid populations of Raphanus raphanistrum × Raphanus sativus (radish) in Michigan, USA, over a decade. We also compared the fecundity of advanced-generation hybrid plants with wild plants in a common garden experiment. Initially, F1 hybrids had reduced fitness, but the populations quickly evolved wild-type pollen fertility. In Year 10, the fecundity of plants from the experimental populations was similar to that of wild genotypes. Crop-specific alleles at the three loci persisted for 10 yr in all populations, and their frequencies varied among loci, populations and years. This research provides a unique case study of substantial variation in the rates and patterns of crop allele introgression after a single hybridization event. Our findings demonstrate that certain crop alleles can introgress easily while others remain rare, supporting the assumption that neutral or beneficial transgenes that are not linked to maladaptive traits can persist in the wild.', 'en_US'),
(3490, 'Molecular differentiation of commercial varieties and feral populations of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).', 'Background: For assessing the risk of escape of transgenes from cultivation, the persistence of feral populations of crop plants is an important aspect. Feral populations of oilseed rape, Brassica napus, are well known, but only scarce information is available on their population dynamics, particularly in Central Europe. To investigate genetic diversity, origin and persistence of feral oilseed rape in Austria, we compared variation at nine polymorphic microsatellite loci in eight feral populations with 19 commercial varieties.\r\n\r\nResults: Overall, commercial varieties and feral populations showed a similar pattern of genetic variation and a similar level of observed heterozygosity. The two groups, however, shared less than 50% of the alleles and no multilocus genotype. A significant among-group (commercial varieties versus feral populations) component of genetic variation was observed (AMOVA: FCT = 0.132). Pairwise comparisons between varieties and feral populations showed moderate to very high genetic differentiation (FST = 0.209 - 0.900). The software STRUCTURE also demonstrated a clear separation between commercial varieties and feral samples: out of 17 identified genetic clusters, only one comprised plants from both a commercial variety and feral sites.\r\n\r\nConclusions: The results suggest that feral oilseed rape is able to maintain persistent populations. The feral populations may have derived from older cultivars that were not included in our analyses or perhaps have already hybridised with related crops or wild relatives. Feral populations therefore have to be considered in ecological risk assessment and future coexistence measures as a potential hybridisation partner of transgenic oilseed rape.\r\n', 'en_US'),
(3491, 'Molecular aspects of gene transfer and foreign DNA acquisition in prokaryotes with regard to safety issues.', 'Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is part of prokaryotic life style and a major factor in evolution. In principle, any combinations of genetic information can be explored via HGT for effects on prokaryotic fitness. HGT mechanisms including transformation, conjugation, transduction, and variations of these plus the role of mobile genetic elements are summarized with emphasis on their potential to translocate foreign DNA. Complementarily, we discuss how foreign DNA can be integrated in recipient cells through homologous recombination (HR), illegitimate recombination (IR), and combinations of both, site-specific recombination, and the reconstitution of plasmids. Integration of foreign DNA by IR is very low, and combinations of IR with HR provide intermediate levels compared to the high frequency of homologous integration. A survey of studies on potential HGT from various transgenic plants indicates very rare transfer of foreign DNA. At the same time, in prokaryotic habitats, genes introduced into transgenic plants are abundant, and natural HGT frequencies are relatively high providing a greater chance for direct transfer instead of via transgenic plants. It is concluded that potential HGT from transgenic plants to prokaryotes is not expected to influence prokaryotic evolution and to have negative effects on human or animal health and the environment.', 'en_US'),
(3492, 'The use of biotin-binding proteins for insect control.', 'Biotin-binding proteins (BBPs), expressed in transgenic plants, are insecticidal to a very wide range of insects. The expression levels required are generally low (&amp;#8776;100 ppm), and although higher than required for Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) &amp;#948;-endotoxins, BBPs are effective across a broader range of insect orders and other invertebrates than the Bt Cry proteins. Avidin and streptavidin, in particular, have been reported as causing death or severe growth reduction in at least 40 species of insects across five insect orders (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, and leaf-eating Hymenoptera) and mites. In addition, due largely to its rapid dilution in ecosystems, no adverse impacts on nontarget microorganisms or invertebrates have been recorded, Because the target, biotin, cannot itself be modified to prevent it binding to BBPs and remain effective as a vitamin, the major avenue open to insects to develop resistance is unavailable. Two properties of the biotin-avidin complex make it highly suitable for use in transgenic plant crop protection strategies against a large range of insects; its extreme stability and its resistance to proteolysis, However, because the nutritional value of the plant could potentially be compromised in the absence of biotin supplementation, its use in nonfood crops such as fiber, forestry, and biofuel crops is seen as the most suitable initial focus for this technology.', 'en_US'),
(3493, 'Distances needed to limit cross-fertilization between GM and conventional maize in Europe', 'To avoid the economic consequences of admixtures of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM harvests, and to ensure that agricultural production complies with mandatory labeling provisions, the European Union (EU; Brussels) member states have adopted co-existence measures directed to farmers cultivating GM varieties. For GM maize cultivation, regulators have established mandatory isolation distances, which differ between countries and in some cases have been regarded as disproportionate. Taking advantage of numerous field studies conducted by EU researchers in recent years, we report here a statistical analysis of crossfertilization data in maize, showing that separating fields 40 m is sufficient to keep GM adventitious presence below the legal labeling threshold in the EU set at 0.9%.', 'en_US'),
(3494, 'Ethylene and biotechnology of fruit ripening - pre and postharvest behavior of transgenic melons with inhibited ethylene production.', 'In this paper we review our recent data on the pre- and postharvest behavior of transgenic melons (Cucumis melo cantalupensis Naud, cv. Védrantais) expressing an antisense construct of the ACC oxidase gene. The transgenic fruit exhibited less than 1% of the maximum ethylene production of control untransformed fruit and some aspects of the ripening process were blocked both on and off the vine. Compared to wild type, transgenic fruit did not undergo significant yellowing of the rind and softening of the flesh but these effects were completely reversed by treatment of transgenic fruit with exogenous ethylene. The pigmentation of the flesh occurred early before the onset of the climacteric and was thus unaffected by ethylene inhibition. Similarly, the total soluble solids accumulated at the same rate in both types of fruit until the wild type fruit abscissed from the plant. However, as ethylene-inhibited fruit failed to develop a peduncular abscission zone, they remained attached to the plant and accumulated a higher amount of sugars. Transgenic melons, described in this study, exhibit specific traits that are not encountered in antisense ACC oxidase and ACC synthase tomatoes described previously. They have allowed discriminating between ethylene-dependent and ethylene-independent ripening traits in the melon.', 'en_US'),
(3495, 'Transgenic broccoli - Brassica oleracea L. cv. (Italica) - plants containing an antisense ACC oxidase gene.', 'Agrobacterium rhizogenes harbouring the binary vector pLN35 which carries the antisense ACC oxidase gene from pTOM13 was used to transform ‘Shogun’ broccoli plants. Molecular analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blotting confirmed the transgenic nature of these plants. Ethylene production by the mature heads was evaluated in normal and three transgenic antisense plants using a gas chromatograph. The transgenic antisense plants TA3 (8 copies), TA4 (1 copy) and TA5 (8 copies) showed an ethylene production that was reduced by 39%, 42% and 77% respectively. Analysis of these mutants suggested that pTOM13 encodes a polypeptide similar to that involved in conversion of ACC to ethylene in broccoli.', 'en_US'),
(3496, 'Composition and diversity of the weed community in transgenic Bt cotton (four Bollgard strains) fields.', 'In order to evaluate the ecological safety and planting risk of insect resistant transgenic cotton, the composition and diversity of the weed community in transgenic Bt cotton (four Bollgard strains: ’109B’,’154’,’690’ and ’972’) fields were studied by means of the quantitative analysis method in Dafeng of Jiangsu coastal district and Rugao of Jiangsu Changjiang River bank district. There were marked differences in water content of soil due to differences in crop rotation systems (i.e. rotation with rice following dry-cropping) between cotton fields. The experimental design was as follows: five treatments include four Bollgard strains and traditional variety and four replicates in each location. Each plot area is about 60 m2. The traditional variety check was Simian-3 in Dafeng and Sumian-16 in Rugao respectively. All weed species and their number were investigated with the sampled method of five spots per plot and the spots area investigated per plot was 2.5 m2 in Dafeng and 1.25 m2 in Rugao respectively. The average of weed species and number per square meter for each treatment was calculated. The parameters and components analysis of weed community for each treatment and coefficients of weed species/community similarity between each of four Bollgard strains and traditional variety check were calculated and analyzed also. The results showed: 1) no significant difference in weed species was found between each of four transgenic Bollgard cotton strains and the traditional variety checked in the same location. The dominant species and their abundance were very similar among them.2) the parameters of weed community structure included species richness(S)&amp;#65292;total number of individuals(N), community diversity (H&amp;#8242;), evenness(J), and concentration(C) in each of the transgenic Bt cotton (four Bollgard strains) fluctuated similarly to the ones in the traditional variety in the same date and same location. The results of comprehensive analysis for two locations showed that the value of community diversity(H&amp;#8242;) and evenness(J) in transgenic Bt cotton was a little higher than the ones in traditional cotton check, but the value of concentration(C) in transgenic Bt cotton was a little lower than the ones in traditional variety check. 3) the path analysis of diversity index(H&amp;#8242;) with other parameters showed that it all was dominant concentration(C) and evenness(J) that mainly decided the change of diversity index(H&amp;#8242;) for weed community in five treatments. Diversity index(H&amp;#8242;) would be reduced with increasing of dominant concentration(C) and decreasing of evenness(J) for all treatments.4) the coefficient of weed species similarity(V1) and the coefficient of weed community similarity(V2) between each of four transgenic Bt Bollgard cotton strains and traditional variety check was determined by the Sorensen’s formula and all very high. The value of V 1 is 0.718 0&amp;#65293;0.844 5 in Dafeng and 0.489 4-0.603 7 in Rugao&amp;#65292;and V2 is 0.451 1-0.598 1 in Dafeng and 0.329 3-0.484 7 in Rugao respectively.  From the above results, it is clear that the stability of weed community of transgenic Bt cotton field (four Bollgard cotton strains) is not different significantly than traditional cotton check and its weed risk increased by planting transgenic Bt cotton is not obvious. There was a close correlation among the structure of weed community, crop rotation system and geographical factors. The main factor that affected the weed occurrence and distribution pattern of weed infestation and community in the cotton fields was the difference of soil water content, which resulted from the different cropping system.', 'en_US'),
(3497, 'Interactions between Bt transgenic crops and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: a new urgent issue of soil ecology in agroecosystems.', 'Species, varieties and area of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) transgenic crops have increased rapidly worldwide in the past 11 years (1996-2006) for economic, environmental and health benefits. However, the ecological risks of Bt transgenic crops were critically highlighted for potential adverse effects on agroecosystems, in particular, non-target effects on soil microorganisms. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important soil microorganisms providing a range of benefits to the majority of crop plants in the agroecosystem, worthy of monitoring for non-target effects of Bt transgenic crops. Bt transgenic crops may affect AMF in many ways during their life with regard to the temporal-spatial relevance between the occurrence of Bt proteins and fungal symbiotic development of AMF. This may lead to an unwelcome surprise with regard to specific abundance and diversity of AMF when Bt transgenic crops are planted continuously. It is concluded that interactions between AMF and Bt transgenic crops at individual and community level are a new urgent soil ecological issue. Some evidence about Bt transgenic crop effects on AMF revealed by recent articles are summarized, and research prospects are highlighted in the paper.', 'en_US'),
(3498, 'An Agronomic and Economic Assessment of Transgenic Canola - Impact of Transgenic Canola on Growers, Industry and Environment.', '', 'en_US'),
(3499, 'Harvest on the Horizon - Future Uses of Agricultural Biotechnology.', '', 'en_US'),
(3500, 'Plant biotechnology regulation - science-based and consumer accessible from plow to plate.', 'Since the introduction of plant biotechnology on the American farm began in the mid-1990s, farmers have planted millions of acres of biotech corn, cotton, soybeans, fruit and other crops.  While these new varieties have enhanced crop protection, reduced production costs and increased yields, they have raised concern among some consumers, legislators and activists.  What is government’s role in assuring human, animal and environmental safety?  To what degree are biotech-derived crops reviewed and regulated?', 'en_US'),
(3501, 'Foliage-dwelling arthropods in Bt-transgenic and isogenic maize:  a comparison through spider web analysis.', 'Theridion impressum is one of the dominant foliage dwelling spider species of maize fields in Hungary. Spider webs were collected from Bt and isogenic maize plots in three successive years. Captured insects in the web were identified. The most frequent prey items were aphids, plant hoppers and beetles. Although the number of captured insects in web samples from isogenic maize was slightly higher than those from Bt maize in the case of almost each insect order, except for two samples (Sternorrhyncha, 2001; Neuroptera, 2002), the differences between Bt and isogenic samples were not significant.', 'en_US'),
(3502, 'The EPSPS gene flow from glyphosate-resistant Brassica napus to untransgene B. napus and wild relative species Orychophragmus violaceus.', 'Gene flow from transgenic plants to compatible wild relatives is one of the major impediments to the development of the culture of genetically engineered crop plants. In this work, the flow of EPSPS (conferring resistance to glyphosate) gene of transgene Brassica napus toward the untransgene B. napus and wild relative species Orychophragmus violaceus in an open field (1 ha) was studied. The data related to only the 2004 and 2005 autumn season on one location of southwest of China. Pollen dispersal and fertilization of the target plants were favored and a detailed analysis of the hybrid offspring was performed. In field, the data studied show that the gene flow frequency was 0.16% between GM and non-GM B. napus at a distance of 1 m from the transgenic donor area. The crosspollination frequency was 0.05% between GM and non-GM B. napus at a distance of 5 m from the transgenic donor area. At a distance of 10 m, no crosspollination was observed. According to the results of this study, B. napus transgene flow was low. However, the wild relative species O. violaceus could not be fertilized by the transgenic pollen of B. napus, no matter what the distance was.', 'en_US'),
(3503, 'Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) occurrences in Bt- and non-Bt-cotton fields, Marble Hall, Mpumalanga, South Africa.', 'Helicoverpa armigera is one of the major pests of cotton crops. Bt-cotton, (transgenic cotton) that contains cry genes from Bacillus thuringiensis, was introduced as a control measure against Heliothis virescens in the U.S.A. Cry genes encode for toxins that are toxic to lepidoteran pests. The effect of Bt-cotton (cv. NuOpal) on H. armigera population numbers and egg parasitism was investigated. Scouting was conducted once a week over two cotton-growing seasons at a cotton farm near Marble Hall. The number of damaged bolls, bollworm eggs and larvae were determined in non-Bt- (cv. Delta Opal) and Bt-cotton fields. No pesticides were used during the first season. A sprayed non-Bt cotton field was included in the second season\\''s study. Pheromone traps baited with the sex pheromone of H. armigera were checked on a weekly basis to determine the number of adults in the fields under investigation. Bollworm eggs were collected during the second season to determine egg parasitism. The number of bollworm larvae and damaged cotton bolls were kept below threshold levels by the presence of the Bt-gene in the Bt-cotton fields and by insecticide applications in the non-Bt-cotton fields. Moth numbers, H. armigera oviposition and parasitoid emergence from bollworm eggs by Trichogrammatoidea lutea and Telenomus ullyetti were not influenced by the presence of the Bt-gene. Bt-cotton can therefore be useful in an integrated pest management programme under an irrigation system, because it resulted in a reduction in the number of insecticide applications per season and did not affect the biological control agents T. lutea and T. ullyetti. ', 'en_US'),
(3504, 'Comparing the performance of official and unofficial genetically modified cotton in India', 'Genetically modified (GM) cotton was approved for commercial cultivation in 2002. Hybrids to date have carried the Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) gene, which confers resistance to Lepidoptera and certain Coleoptera. As well as “official” Bt hybrids (i.e., those that have gone through a formal approval process), there are “unofficial” Bt hybrids produced without such approval. The owners of the official hybrids, Monsanto-Mahyco, claim that the unofficial hybrids are not as good and could even damage the perception of Bt cotton amongst farmers. Anti-GM groups claim that neither type of Bt hybrid provides either yield or economic advantages over non-Bt hybrids. This paper reports the first study of official versus unofficial versus non-Bt hybrids in India (622 farmers in Gujarat State) with the specific aim of comparing one hypothesized ranking in terms of gross margin of (a) official Bt hybrids, (b) unofficial Bt hybrids, and (c) non-Bt hybrids. Results suggest that the official Bt varieties (MECH 12 and MECH 162) significantly outperform the unofficial varieties in terms of gross margin. However, unofficial, locally produced Bt hybrids can also perform significantly better than non-Bt hybrids, although second-generation (F2) Bt seed appears to have no yield advantage compared to non-Bt hybrids but can save on insecticide use. The paper explores some of the implications of this ranking.', 'en_US'),
(3505, 'Inequality and GM crops: a case-study of Bt cotton in India.', 'Critics of genetically modified (GM) crops often contend that their introduction enhances the gap between rich and poor farmers, as the former group are in the best position to afford the expensive seed as well as provide other inputs such as fertilizer and irrigation. The research reported in this paper explores this issue with regard to Bt cotton (cotton with the endotoxtin gene from Bacillus thuringiensis conferring resistance to some insect pests) in Jalgaon, Maharashtra State, India, spanning the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Questionnaire–based survey results from 63 non–adopting and 94 adopting households of Bt cotton were analyzed, spanning 137 Bt cotton plots and 95 non–Bt cotton plots of both Bt adopters and non–adopters. For these households, cotton income accounted for 85 to 88% of total household income, and is thus of vital importance. Results suggest that in 2003 Bt adopting households have significantly more income from cotton than do non–adopting households (Rp 66,872 versus Rp 46,351) but inequality in cotton income, measured with the Gini coefficient (G), was greater amongst non–adopters than adopters. While Bt adopters had greater acreage of cotton in 2003 (9.92 acres versus 7.42 for non–adopters), the respective values of G were comparable. The main reason for the lessening of inequality amongst adopters would appear to be the consistency in the performance of Bt cotton along with the preferred non–Bt cultivar of Bt adopters—Bunny. Taking gross margin as the basis for comparison, Bt plots had 2.5 times the gross margin of non–Bt plots of non–adopters, while the advantage of Bt plots over non–Bt plots of adopters was 1.6 times. Measured in terms of the Gini coefficient of gross margin/acre it was apparent that inequality was lessened with the adoption of Bunny (G = 0.47) and Bt (G = 0.3) relative to all other non–Bt plots (G = 0.63). Hence the issue of equality needs to be seen both in terms of differences between adopters and non–adopters as well as within each of the groups.', 'en_US'),
(3506, 'Factors affecting the likelihood of corn rootworm Bt seed adoption.', 'The likelihood of adopting corn rootworm (CRW) Bt seed technology was analyzed using an ordered logit model. Data used to estimate the model came from USDA’s 2001 Agricultural Resource Management Survey. Statistically significant variables include operator age, farm type, farm size, rootworm loss and current treatment for rootworm, off farm labor, and Bt technology for corn borer. The likelihood of adoption was not related to crop rotation, tillage system, new variant CRW region, or education.', 'en_US'),
(3507, 'The net gain to cotton farmers of a natural refuge plan for Bollgard II cotton', 'This paper presents an evaluation of the initial potential eco- nomic benefit at both the farm-level and to Monsanto Company of a change in refuge policy for Bollgard II® cotton. The pro- posed policy change is to eliminate the cotton refuge require- ment for Bollgard II cotton in favor of a natural refuge. We first present an evaluative model that is appropriate for any cotton state. We then present an empirical application of the model for North Carolina. We estimate the annual per-acre, farm-level benefit to North Carolina cotton farmers, based on 2005 data as the counterfactual, to be $22.82 and the total farm-level benefit to be $13,037,614 when non-pecuniary benefits are not consid- ered. When non-pecuniary benefits are taken into account, the per-acre benefit is estimated to increase to $26.90 and the total benefit to $15,379,129. The increase in revenue accruing to Monsanto Company is estimated to be $2,427,620.', 'en_US'),
(3508, 'Global impact of insect-resistant Bt cotton.', 'Insect-resistant (Bt) cotton has been rapidly adopted since its introduction in 1996. Farmers around the world, both large and small holders, benefit from this technology through increased productivity, convenience, and time savings. The vast majority of farmers using Bt cotton globally are smallholder farmers. The economic, environmental, and social benefits derived from adoption of this important tool have very positive implications for the farmers, their surrounding communities, and the future of agriculture.', 'en_US'),
(3509, 'Agronomics and sustainability of transgenic cotton in Argentina', 'Transgenic Bt cotton can halve pesticide application rates in Argentina while significantly increasing yields. Yield effects are bigger than in other countries, due to the current low levels of insecticide use. Although smallholder farmers are not currently using the technology, gross benefits are predicted to be highest for them. Biological model simulations show that rapid resistance buildup in pest populations appears to be unlikely if minimum non-Bt refuge areas are maintained.', 'en_US'),
(3510, 'Agricultural applications of biotechnology and the potential for biodiversity valorization in Latin America and the Caribbean', 'This article provides a brief account of key developments in agricultural applications of biotechnology in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries; it also focuses on the potential of developing value-added products from the biological diversity harbored in the region. Most agricultural biotechnologies involve tissue culture and DNA-based markers for germplasm conservation, production of disease-free planting material, and assistance to genetic improvement. More recently, LAC countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, and Uruguay have commercially grown transgenic crops. Advanced biotechnologies, such as genetic sequencing and microarray genomics, are differentially utilized in some LAC countries, with Brazil being at the forefront, for characterization, mapping, and trait screening for important crops and pathogens. There is great potential for the integration of these technologies with chemical analyses in bioprospecting biodiversity. Implementation of effective regulatory frameworks for access, genetic resource benefit sharing, and biosafety need urgent attention in most countries.', 'en_US'),
(3511, 'The status of plant biotechnology in Africa', 'Most of the plant biotechnology in Africa is being carried out in South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya. At the University of Cape Town, maize resistant to maize streak virus (MSV) and drought-tolerant maize are being developed, as well as vaccine production in tobacco. The South African Sugar Experiment Station is developing herbicide-resistant sugarcane. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has engineered fungi-resistant maize and millet. The Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute in Cairo has developed insect-resistant Egyptian cotton and is carrying out field trails on a variety of other genetically modified (GM) crops. The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute is conducting field trials on virus-resistant sweet potatoes. Problems faced by many scientists on the continent are the slow passage of GM crops from experimental to commercial stages and the difficulties in meeting regulatory requirements.', 'en_US'),
(3512, 'Transgenic cotton in Mexico', 'We examine the farm-level impact of Bt cotton in Coahuila, Mexico. Bt cotton was introduced in Mexico in 1996. It has been an important tool in reducing pesticide use by more than 50% and generating annual benefits of US$2.7 million. About 85% of benefits accrued to farmers and 15% to seed suppliers. Adopting farmers spent $100 less on pest control and had $295/ha higher net revenue than nonadopting farmers. The average holding of adopting farmers was 14 ha. Bt cotton has been a valuable technology for certain areas in Mexico. Cotton profitability and competitiveness have increased, and the risk of crop failure from insect infestation has been reduced. Victory over the pink bollworm, once the dominant insect pest, would not have been possible without Bt cotton. Because Bt cotton protects only against a certain spectrum of the pest population, national adoption stands at 33%.', 'en_US'),
(3513, 'The impact of the introduction of transgenic crops in Argentinean agriculture', 'Since the early 1990s, Argentinean grain production underwent a dramatic increase in grains production (from 26 million tons in 1988/89 to over 75 million tons in 2002/2003). Several factors contributed to this &quot;revolution,&quot; but probably one of the most important was the introduction of new genetic modification (GM) technologies, specifically herbicide-tolerant soybeans. This article analyses this process, reporting on the economic benefits accruing to producers and other participating actors as well as some of the environmental and social impacts that could be associated with the introduction of the new technologies. In doing so, it lends attention to the synergies between GM soy- beans and reduced-tillage technologies and also explores some of the institutional factors that shed light on the success of this case, including aspects such as the early availability of a reliable biosafety mechanism and a special intellectual property rights (IPR) situation. In its concluding comments, this article also posts a number of questions about the replicability of the experience and some pending policy issues regarding the future exploitation of GM technologies in Argentina.', 'en_US'),
(3514, 'Efficiency of alternative technologies and cultural practices for cotton in Georgia', 'Transgenic cotton varieties and conservation tillage practices are evaluated for technical and allocative efficiency, as well as net returns above variable costs. Data Envelopment Analysis is applied to a survey of Georgia cotton producers. Results sup- port production with transgenic cotton varieties having greater net returns and efficiency rankings than conventional cotton. Net returns and efficiency rankings are greatest with conservation tillage. Conservation tillage benefits are associated with cotton varieties having herbicide resistant technology.', 'en_US'),
(3515, 'Determinants of corn rootworm resistant corn adoption in Indiana', 'Adoption of transgenic corn resistant to corn rootworm (CRW corn) was analyzed using a probit model with data from a survey of Indiana producers. Operator age, farm size, and regional and self-reported measures of rootworm pressure were all statistically significant in explaining adoption. In addition to these typical explanatory variables, market access variables, price variables, and insect resistant management plan requirements were very significant. These findings suggest that the value of CRW corn to the producer is strongly influenced by the fact that it is not yet fully approved for sale in Europe.', 'en_US'),
(3516, 'An ex ante analysis of the benefits from the adoption of corn rootworm resistant transgenic corn technology', 'If a new corn rootworm resistant transgenic corn technology had been adopted on all of the United States acres treated for corn rootworm in the year 2000, the total benefits in that year alone would have been $460 million: $171 million to the technology developer and seed companies, $231 million to farmers from yield gains, and a further $58 million to farmers as nonpecuniary benefits associated with reduced use of insecticides. Our nationwide survey of corn producers suggests that initial adoption might be as low as 30%, implying first-year benefits of about $138 million.', 'en_US');
INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3517, 'Effects of Bt maize on Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): a pest of maize seedlings', 'The lepidopteran stemborers Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) are effectively controlled by Bt maize that expresses the Cry1Ab insecticidal protein. Another noctuid species, the cutworm Agrotis segetum (Denis and Schiffermuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is the most common and injurious pest of maize seedlings in South Africa, is exposed to Bt toxin for a part of its life cycle. The effect of this exposure to Bt maize has not been studied yet. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of Bt maize (events MON810 and Bt11) on larval mass, development time, survival, and fecundity of A. segetum. Laboratory studies were conducted with first- and fourth-instar larvae and moths. Results showed that the effect of Cry1Ab toxin on the biology of A. segetum larvae and moths were largely insignificant. The effects of the two Bt maize events on the different parameters measured in this study was not similar between the Bt events and their respective iso-hybrids. Compared with larvae that fed on conventional (non-Bt) maize, Bt maize did not affect survival of first-instar larvae. However, mean mass of larvae that fed on Bt maize (Bt11) was significantly lower. Feeding on Bt maize did not have a significant effect on development and survival of fourth-instar larvae or moth longevity. It did, however, delay the development period to pupa formation. Fewer eggs were laid by moths fed as larvae on maize event Bt11 compared with MON810. This study indicates that Bt maize will most likely not have any significant effect on the control of A. segetum under field conditions.', 'en_US'),
(3518, 'A novel technology for removing potential risks from genetically modified plants', 'Scientists have been searching an effective tool for solving the safety issue of GM (genetically modified) plants for many years. The group led by Chinese American scientist Yi Li, a professor at University of Connecticut, made a great breakthrough in this field after 6 years'' intensive research: his group published the ''Gene-deletor'' technology in 2007. The technology was developed from two recombination systems Cre/Loxp and FLP/FRT, and FLP/Cre was driven by Organ/Tissue-specific promoter, all transgenic foreign genes will be thoroughly removed from pollen, fruit and seed after they have accomplished function. It could effectively prevent GM gene flow into non-biotech plants or weeds, and may help alleviate public concerns on ecological risks and food safety caused by GM plants. Here the concept, principle of ''gene-deletor'' technology were introduced and its applications in genetic engineering research were discussed.', 'en_US'),
(3519, 'The advances of transgenic plants detection techniques', 'With the development of genetic engineering, more and more transgenic plants and their products released to people''s lives and greatly changed our lives. The controversy over potential ecological risks and the impact of transgenic plants on human health are becoming increasingly acute. Therefore, the techniques for detecting transgenic plants must be established and perfected. The advances in detection techniques of transgenic plants were summarized. The progresses of PCR, ELISA as well as gene chip in transgenic plants detection were emphasized, and their characteristics were compared. Furthermore, detection on specific metabolites in transgenic plants was also introduced. Based on detection of the differential protein, one project of two-dimensional electrophoresis technology for traceability of genetically modified organisms and products was put forward finally.', 'en_US'),
(3520, 'Pollen flow analysis in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).', 'Biofuels from wood, wastes and various agricultural crops are currently quite expensive. Seed oil plants, instead, represent a relevant renewable natural resource for biodiesel to be used as engine fuel. In consequence, new genetic modified varieties (GMV) have been obtained by biotechnological methods, which offer a wide range of special oils for bio-energetic purposes. However, growing sunflower GMVs for biodiesel production could create a potential risk due to pollen flow from transgenic to non-transgenic varieties when grown in the same geographic areas. Presently, pollen flow analysis by DNA-based tools is expensive and time consuming, and new, cheap and rapid methods are needed. The goal of this research was to estimate pollen flow in sunflower by using a ''composite'' line, with a monogenic dominant marker (TT) for a high phenotypic expression of blue leaf nervure, as pollinator, and an inbred line and a cytoplasmic male sterile line (cms) as recipient plants. The obtained results suggest that cytoplasmic male sterility could be used for the analysis of sunflower pollen flow.', 'en_US'),
(3521, 'Reliability of PCR based screening for identification and quantification of GMOs', 'Handling with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is regulated namely in EC. Laboratories often use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based screening methods to monitor the presence of GM particles in food commodities as a cost effective approach. The reliability was tested of such screening using 35S CaMV promoter as the target sequences. Soya grown from non-GM cultivar as declared by a seed company was investigated after the harvest, transport to the silo, and before processing. The results based on PCR and real-time PCR analysis clearly showed that, the contamination with debris of other species, dust during transport, storage, and other kind of handling led to contamination with detectable amounts of Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV). Impurities are allowed by EC regulations but may, as we have shown, interfere with the analytical procedures based on PCR. The identification of 35S CaMV promoter and NOS terminator in food with uncertain history and no approved specific events may indicate unknown GMOs and perhaps emergency situation.', 'en_US'),
(3522, 'Frequency analysis of field trials of genetic modified crops in America', 'Through analysis of the databank of Inspection America on field trials of genetic modified crops during the last 20 years, the basic rule and characteristics in research and development of genetic modified crops were studied. Data were processed with the software ''data perspective table'' method imbedded in Microsoft Excel. Results showed that the field trials undertaken in America by the end of September 2008 totaled to 13782, involving 158 crops, ten categories of novel traits and about 98 companies or institutions. During 1987-2008, the number of field trials approved were firstly rising in a straight line, then stabilized at around 1 000 a year. The main test species included corn, soybean and cotton, accounting for 45.8%, 9.7%, 6.4%, respectively. The main characters were involved in the anti-herbicide, insect resistance and quality traits. About 62.7% field trials were undertaken by 5 private companies such as Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. It is considered that the genetic modified crops which have a high economic value, mature technology and acceptable by consumers have broader prospects. China should continuously strengthen genetic modified research on non food crops.', 'en_US'),
(3523, 'The opportunity and challenge faced by transgenic herbicide-resistant crops and their development strategy', 'The planting area of transgenic herbicide-resistant crops accounted for more than 80% of the total planting area of transgenic crops in 2008. Herbicide resistance becomes the major one among all the transgenic traits that has been engineered into crops. The application of transgenic herbicide-resistant crops results in the drop in weed control cost, the decrease of herbicide residue, and the increase crop safety. However, large-scale commercialization of transgenic herbicide-resistant crops may lead to uniform of herbicidal market, thus exert great influences on herbicidal industry development. In addition, environmental safety issues, such as herbicide resistant weed evolution and transgene escape, may be involved. Therefore, the development of herbicide-resistant crops faces a variety of challenges. However, development of transgenic herbicide-resistant crops, in spite of not commercialized yet in China, is meeting a good development opportunity due to huge potential market and policy support. In addition, this paper addresses how to use herbicide-resistant gene reasonably, and the research and development strategy for transgenic herbicide-resistant crop in order to provide beneficial information for the research and development of transgenic herbicide-resistant crops in China.', 'en_US'),
(3524, 'Development, adoption and performance of Bt cotton in Pakistan: a review', 'This article reviews development, adoption and performance of Bt cotton against the background of monopoly pricing of its seed in Pakistan. The area under illegal Bt cotton is 80% with nearly 36 unapproved varieties. Most of these varieties are Cotton leaf curl virus susceptible, poor in fiber quality and high input demanding unapproved varieties. Almost all these varieties employed Monsanto Cry1Acgene (MON 531) as it was not patented in Pakistan. A positive development was approval of Monsanto plan to introduce advanced genetically modified (GM) crop technology in Pakistan by Government of Pakistan during 2009. In this regard Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MINFA) has been working on a two pronged strategy i.e. developing the technology through indigenous capabilities as well as inviting the multi-national companies (MNCs) to bring in the latest cotton production and protection in the country. Bt cotton can play a significant role to enhance agricultural productivity as the productivity of cotton in Pakistan 0.5 t ha-1 as compared productivity of Bt cotton in China 9 t ha-1, which implies a huge cotton productivity gap. This gap can be narrowed down by the adoption of Bt cotton in Pakistan which will have major impact on food security efforts in the country. The findings of literature review revealed that Bt technology significantly reduces pesticide application and increases yields; however, these advantages are curbed by the high prices charged for genetically modified illegal cotton seeds in the country. National Biosafety Guidelines of 2005, must be followed to approve all genetically modified crop varieties including cotton. This will encourage the introduction of this advanced technology through legal means with its complete package of benefits. After approval of Bt cotton cultivation by Government of Pakistan, R&amp;D sector should be encouraged to transfer Bt-Cry genes into such genetic backgrounds which: (i) must have resistance against CLCuV, (ii) are suitable for a given ecology, (iii) meet the set fiber quality parameters (fiber length and strength, GOT% etc.) and (iv) other desirable features required for the release of a normal commercial variety.', 'en_US'),
(3525, 'General surveillance of genetically modified plants in the EC and the need for controls', 'This paper describes the current method of general surveillance of genetically modified plants (GMO) in the European Union that is aimed at the detection of unexpected adverse effects of the GMO (those that were not identified in the environmental risk assessment) at the farm level. The weakness of the current method in detecting the ecological effects of GMO due to a lack of a well-defined control (usual scenario in the absence of a GMO) is described, and a more quantitative method of assessment (that which involves the collection of data on both GM and non-GM crops) is proposed.', 'en_US'),
(3526, 'Cumulative impact of GM herbicide-tolerant cropping on arable plants assessed through species-based and functional taxonomies', 'Data were used from experiments on the effect of (GMHT) crops and non-GM, or conventional, comparators in fields sown with four crop types (beet, maize, spring and winter oilseed rape) at a total of 250 sites in the UK between 2000 and 2003. Indices of biodiversity were measured in a split-field design comparing GMHT with the farmers'' usual weed management. In the original analyses based on the means at site level, effects were detected on the mass of weeds in the three spring crops and the proportion of broadleaf and grass weeds in winter oilseed rape, but not on indices of plant species diversity. To explore the links between site means and total taxa, accumulation curves were constructed based on the number of plant species (a pool of around 250 species in total) and the number of plant functional types (24), inferred from the general life-history characteristics of a species. Species accumulation differed between GMHT and conventional treatments in direction and size, depending on the type of crop and its conventional management. Differences were mostly in the asymptote of the curve, indicative of the maximum number of species found in a treatment, rather than the steepness of the curve. In winter oilseed rape, 8% more species were accumulated in the GMHT treatment, mainly as a result of the encouragement of grass species by the herbicide when applied in the autumn. (Overall, GMHT winter oilseed rape had strong negative effects on both the food web and the potential weed burden by increasing the biomass of grasses and decreasing that of broadleaf weeds.) In maize, 33% more species -- a substantial increase -- were accumulated in the GMHT than in the conventional, consistent with the latter''s highly suppressive weed management using triazine herbicides. In the spring oilseed rape and beet, fewer species (around 10%) were accumulated in the GMHT than the conventional. The GMHT treatments did not remove or add any functional (life history) types, however. Differences in species accumulation between treatments appeared to be caused by loss or gain of rarer species. The generality of this effect was confirmed by simulations of species accumulation in which the species complement at each of 50 sites was drawn from a regional pool and subjected to reducing treatment at each site. Shifts in the species-accumulation parameters, comparable to those measured, occurred only when a treatment removed the rarer species at each site. Species accumulation provided a set of simple curve-parameters that captured the net result of numerous local effects of treatments on plant species and, in some instances, the balance between grass and broadleaf types. The direction of effect was not the same in the four crops and depended on the severity of the conventional treatment and on complex interactions between season, herbicide and crop. The accumulation curves gave an indication of potential positive or negative consequences for regional species pools of replacing a conventional practice with GMHT weed management. In this and related studies, a range of indicators, through which diversity was assessed by both species and functional type, and at both site and regional scales, gave more insight into effects of GMHT treatment than provided by any one indicator.', 'en_US'),
(3527, 'Dispersal and persistence of genetically modified oilseed rape around Japanese harbors', 'Background, aim, and scope: The possibility of gene transfer from genetically modified oilseed rape (OSR) to its cultivated or wild relatives is of concern since its commercial cultivation, because of its potential weediness and impact on the environment. Introgression of modified genes can affect conservation of agricultural crops, because there are many cultivars and wild Brassicaceae that may cross with genetically modified OSR (Brassica napus) in Japan. Japan imports more than 2 million tons of OSR a year from Canada and other countries. Since volunteers of GM OSR were found around harbors in 2004, a lot of feral GM OSR was discovered in Japan. To consider the way how to keep domestic Brassicaceae from GM contamination, we surveyed and analyzed the dispersal and persistence of GM OSR around Japanese harbors. We present the cause and abundance of GM OSR in Japan by this paper. Materials and methods: Survey of the feral OSR was performed several times a year at different seasons when domestic OSR either grows or does not around port areas. Detection of herbicide tolerance in feral B. napus was done by test papers that cross react with the modified gene product. Two kinds of herbicide tolerance (glyphosate and glufosinate) were tested. Results: The feral B. napus were discovered around all 13 harbors that import rapeseeds from foreign countries. Genetically modified, herbicide-tolerant OSR were frequently found in the surveyed populations. Two kinds of herbicide-tolerant OSR (glyphosate- and glufosinate-tolerant) were discovered in a natural condition 40 km from port to an oil factory where 60,000 tons of OSR seed are processed a year. The cause of voluntary growth of OSR is seed spillage during transportation by trucks from harbors to oil factories and other processing facilities. Some of the feral OSR growing along the roadsides of transport paths exhibited perennial growth spilling their seeds around the places. Alteration of the generation of feral GM OSR was discovered for the first time in Japan as a result of this study. We studied the yearly change of feral OSR abundances focusing on Yokkaichi port over the 4 years since 2004. The rate of GM OSR increases year to year, and reaches nearly 90% in 2008. Discussion: The possibility and consequences of gene transfer from the genetically modified OSR to domestic species (B. rapa and B. juncea) were discussed in relation to impact on domestic agriculture and on environments. Evolutional meaning of the gene transfer was also discussed with respect to the gene construct of GM OSR. This study shows the importance of another pathway of modified gene transfer to non-GM relative species by seed transportation in addition to pollen transfer from commercial cultivation of genetically modified OSR. Conclusions and recommendations: We identified unintended dispersal and persistence of GM OSR around Japanese harbors that import OSR from Canada and other countries. Both glyphosate- and glufosinate-tolerant feral B. napus were discovered. The cause of volunteer OSR is spillage of the seeds during transportation by truck to oil factory. The feral GM OSR sometimes showed perennial growth in Japanese phonological conditions which are not observed for domestic Brassicaceae. In addition, we confirmed an alteration of generations by feral GM OSR in Japan. The possibility of cross pollination and GM gene introgression to domestic varieties can occur in these environments. To improve the situation, each responsible organization, company, administration, or government should establish measures how to stop the dispersal and persistence of GM OSR in nature. Also, the GM plant developers are responsible for revising this situation.', 'en_US'),
(3528, 'How to model and simulate the effects of cropping systems on population dynamics and gene flow at the landscape level: example of oilseed rape volunteers and their role for co-existence of GM and non-GM crops', 'Background, aim and scope -- Agricultural landscapes comprise cultivated fields and semi-natural areas. Biological components of these compartments such as weeds, insect pests and pathogenic fungi can disperse sometimes over very large distances, colonise new habitats via insect flight, spores, pollen or seeds and are responsible for losses in crop yield (e.g. weeds, pathogens) and biodiversity (e.g. invasive weeds). The spatiotemporal dynamics of these biological components interact with crop locations, successions and management as well as the location and management of semi-natural areas such as roadverges. The objective of this investigation was to establish a modelling and simulation methodology for describing, analysing and predicting spatiotemporal dynamics and genetics of biological components of agricultural landscapes. The ultimate aim of the models was to evaluate and propose innovative cropping systems adapted to particular agricultural concerns. The method was applied to oilseed rape (OSR) volunteers playing a key role for the coexistence of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM oilseed rape crops, where the adventitious presence of GM seeds in non-GM harvests (AGMP) could result in financial losses for farmers and cooperatives. Material and methods -- A multi-year, spatially explicit model was built, using field patterns, climate, cropping systems and OSR varieties as input variables, focusing on processes and cultivation techniques crucial for plant densities and pollen flow. The sensitivity of the model to input variables was analysed to identify the major cropping factors. These should be modified first when searching for solutions limiting gene flow. The sensitivity to model processes and species life-traits were analysed to facilitate the future adaptation of the model to other species. The model was evaluated by comparing its simulations to independent field observations to determine its domain of validity and prediction error. Results -- The cropping system study determined contrasted farm types, simulated the current situation and tested a large range of modifications compatible with each farm to identify solutions for reducing the AGMP. The landscape study simulated gene flow in a large number of actual and virtual field patterns, four combinations of regional OSR and GM proportions and three contrasted cropping systems. The analysis of the AGMP rate at the landscape level determined a maximum acceptable GM OSR area for the different cropping systems, depending on the regional OSR volunteer infestation. The analysis at the field level determined minimum distances between GM and non-GM crops, again for different cropping systems and volunteer infestations. Discussion -- The main challenge in building spatially explicit models of the effects of cropping systems and landscape patterns on species dynamics and gene flow is to determine the spatial extent, the time scale, the major processes and the degree of mechanistic description to include in the model, depending on the species characteristics and the model objective.', 'en_US'),
(3529, 'The variability of processes involved in transgene dispersal--case studies from Brassica and related genera', 'Background, aim, and scope -- We strive to predict consequences of genetically modified plants (GMPs) being cultivated openly in the environment, as human and animal health, biodiversity, agricultural practise and farmers'' economy could be affected. Therefore, it is unfortunate that the risk assessment of GMPs is burdened by uncertainty. One of the reasons for the uncertainty is that the GMPs are interacting with the ecosystems at the release site thereby creating variability. This variability, e.g. in gene flow, makes consequence analysis difficult. The review illustrates the great uncertainty of results from gene-flow analysis. Main features -- Many independent experiments were performed on the individual processes in gene flow. The results comprise information both from laboratory, growth chambers and field trials, and they were generated using molecular or phenotypic markers and analysis of fitness parameters. Monitoring of the extent of spontaneous introgression in natural populations was also performed. Modelling was used as an additional tool to identify key parameters in gene flow. Results -- The GM plant may affect the environment directly or indirectly by dispersal of the transgene. Magnitude of the transgene dispersal will depend on the GM crop, the agricultural practise and the environment of the release site. From case-to-case these three factors provide a variability that is reflected in widely different likelihoods of transgene dispersal and fitness of introgressed plants. In the present review, this is illustrated through a bunch of examples mostly from our own research on oilseed rape, Brassica napus. In the Brassica cases, the variability affected all five main steps in the process of gene dispersal. The modelling performed suggests that in Brassica, differences in fitness among plant genome classes could be a dominant factor in the establishment and survival of introgressed populations. Discussion -- Up to now, experimental analyses have mainly focused on studying the many individual processes of gene flow. This can be criticised, as these experiments are normally carried out in widely different environments and with different genotypes, and thus providing bits and pieces difficult to assemble. Only few gene-flow studies have been performed in natural populations and over several plant generations, though this could give a more coherent and holistic view. Conclusion -- The variability inherent in the processes of gene flow in Brassica is apparent and remedies are wished for. One possibility is to expose the study species to additional experiments and monitoring, but this is costly and will likely not cover all possible scenarios. Another remedy is modelling gene flow. Modelling is a valuable tool in identifying key factors in the gene-flow process for which more knowledge is needed, and identifying parameters and processes which are relatively insensitive to change and therefore require less attention in future collections of data. But the interdependence between models and experimental data is extensive, as models depend on experimental data for their development or testing. Recommendations -- More and more transgenic varieties are being grown worldwide harbouring genes that might potentially affect the environment (e.g. drought tolerance, salt tolerance, disease tolerance, pharmaceutical genes). This calls for a thorough risk assessment. However, in Brassica, the limited and uncertain knowledge on gene flow is an obstacle to this. Modelling of gene flow should be optimised, and modelling outputs verified in targeted field studies and at the landscape level. Last but not least, it is important to remember that transgene flow in itself is not necessarily a thread, but it is the consequences of gene flow that may jeopardise the ecosystems and the agricultural production. This emphasises the importance of consequence analysis of genetically modified plants.', 'en_US'),
(3530, 'Specific respiration rates, adenylates, and energy budgets of soil microorganisms after addition of transgenic Bt-maize straw', 'An arable soil was incubated with straw (stem+leaves) of two transgenic Bt-maize varieties (Novelis: event MON810 and Valmont: event Bt176) and the two corresponding near-isogenic varieties (Nobilis and Prelude). The aim was to evaluate the use of these substrates for microbial growth and maintenance in soil during early decomposition. The addition of Bt-maize straw increased CO2 production rates and the specific respiration rates CO2-C/microbial biomass C and CO2-C/ATP significantly compared with the addition of non-Bt maize straw. This extra energy in the Bt-maize straw could not be used for microbial biomass or ATP and ADP production, and was lost for maintenance. In addition, increased death rates of microbial biomass occurred in the soils treated with the Bt-maize straw from day 3 to 21. Generally, most of the energy was stored in microbial biomass, whereas only 10% of energy was stored in ATP, and only 1-2% in ADP. The AEC (adenylate energy charge: (ATP+0.5 x ADP)/(AMP+ADP+ATP)) was not affected by any treatment. The reasons for the lower efficiency of microbial substrate use after adding Bt-maize straw cannot be fully explained by the present experiment. However, a risk assessment has to look at the impact of transgenic plant material on soil microorganisms at different maturity stages.', 'en_US'),
(3531, 'Modeling the impact of alternative hosts on Helicoverpa zea adaptation to bollgard cotton', 'For highly polyphagous cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., pests such as Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), a substantial portion of the larval population develops on noncotton alternative hosts. These noncotton hosts potentially provide a natural refuge for H. zea, thereby slowing the evolution of resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt)-derived Cry1Ac protein present in Bollgard cotton. Here, we demonstrate how the measured contribution of such alternative hosts can be included in estimating the ''effective refuge'' present for H. zea and in modeling resistance evolution in this species. A single-gene, two-compartment model was used in which one compartment represented corn, Zea mays L., and cotton that express the Cry1Ac protein or similar proteins, and the other compartment was the effective refuge, made up of a weighted average of non-Bt cotton and noncotton hosts. The effective refuge was estimated for each of six generations of H. zea based upon available data on larval population densities on different hosts and cropping patterns. Model runs were performed for regions centered on three states: Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Three sets of fitness cost assumptions for the putative resistance gene were used: none, low, and moderate, with either recessive or additive inheritance for resistance and fitness costs. For Georgia and North Carolina, resistance was predicted to take &gt; 30 yr to evolve except in the absence of fitness costs. For Mississippi, results were sensitive to fitness costs: &gt; 30 yr with moderate costs, 7-14 yr with low costs, and 6-10 yr without such costs.', 'en_US'),
(3532, 'DNA screening reveals pink bollworm resistance to Bt cotton remains rare after a decade of exposure', 'Transgenic crops producing toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) kill insect pests and can reduce reliance on insecticide sprays. Although Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and Bt corn (Zea mays L.) covered 26 million ha worldwide in 2005, their success could be cut short by evolution of pest resistance. Monitoring the early phases of pest resistance to Bt crops is crucial, but it has been extremely difficult because bioassays usually cannot detect heterozygotes harboring one allele for resistance. We report here monitoring of resistance to Bt cotton with DNA-based screening, which detects single resistance alleles in heterozygotes. We used polymerase chain reaction primers that specifically amplify three mutant alleles of a cadherin gene linked with resistance to Bt cotton in pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), a major pest. We screened DNA of 5,571 insects derived from 59 cotton fields in Arizona, California, and Texas during 2001-2005. No resistance alleles were detected despite a decade of exposure to Bt cotton. In conjunction with data from bioassays and field efficacy tests, the results reported here contradict predictions of rapid pest resistance to Bt crops.', 'en_US'),
(3533, 'Integrating biological and chemical controls in decision making: European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) control in sweet corn as an example', 'As growers switch to transgenic crops and selective insecticides that are less toxic to natural enemies, natural enemies can become more important in agricultural pest management. Current decision-making guides are generally based on pest abundance and do not address pest and natural enemy toxicity differences among insecticides or the impact of natural enemies on pest survival. A refined approach to making pest management decisions is to include the impact of natural enemies and insecticides, thereby better integrating biological and chemical control. The result of this integration is a dynamic threshold that varies for each product and the level of biological control expected. To demonstrate the significance of conserved biological control in commercial production, a decision-making guide was developed that evaluates control options for European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), in sweet corn, Zea mays L., where the primary natural enemies are generalist predators. Management options are lambda-cyhalothrin (broad-spectrum insecticide), spinosad (selective insecticide), Trichogramma ostriniae (Peng &amp; Chen) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) (parasitoid), and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sweet corn (transgenic variety). The key factors influencing thresholds for all treatments are the intended market, predator populations, and the presence of alternative foods for the predators. Treatment cost is the primary factor separating the threshold for each treatment within a common scenario, with the lowest cost treatment having the lowest pest threshold. However, when the impact of a treatment on natural enemies is projected over the 3-wk control period, the impact of the treatment on predators becomes the key factor in determining the threshold, so the lowest thresholds are for broad-spectrum treatments, whereas selective products can have thresholds &gt; 6 times higher by the third week. This decision guide can serve as a framework to help focus future integrated pest management research and to aid in the selection of pest management tools.', 'en_US'),
(3534, 'Monitoring the Cry1Ab susceptibility of European corn borer in Germany', 'The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), is one of the most important insect pests in corn, Zea mays L. Transgenic corn cultivars expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin provide a promising crop protection strategy against European corn borer; however, management is needed to avoid resistance development of the target pest species. The aim of this work was to establish the baseline susceptibility of different European corn borer populations in Germany to be able to forecast a possible development of resistance at an early stage. To standardize test procedures for future resistance management, the efficiency of Cry1Ab toxins from different suppliers and different production was assessed. Furthermore, two different test methods, surface treatment and the incorporation method, were compared with regard to their practicability and efficiency. Neither method provided significant differences in the baseline susceptibility of populations from different German regions. Overall, the data suggested little differentiation among German populations in terms of their susceptibility to Bt toxin and their genetic background. Future monitoring could therefore use a single European corn borer population as a representative for southwestern Germany. However, toxins from different suppliers and different production batches produced a vast range of LC50 values. Changes because of different toxin batches may be mistaken as a change in baseline susceptibility or even as the start of a resistance development. Thus, it is important throughout insect resistance management that the same toxin batches will be available for baseline susceptibility bioassays and for future tests.', 'en_US'),
(3535, 'Genetic variation for resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in eastern North Carolina', 'To evaluate resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins, adult female bollworms, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were collected from four light trap locations in two eastern North Carolina counties from August to October during 2001 and 2002. Females were allowed to oviposit, and upon hatching, 24 neonates from each female (F1 lines) were screened for survival and growth rate on each of three diets: non-Bt diet, diet containing 5.0 microg/ml Cry1Ac toxin, or diet containing 5.0 microg/ml Cry2Ab toxin. These screens were designed to identify nonrecessive Bt resistance alleles present in field populations of bollworm. Of 561 and 691 families screened with both Cry1Ac- and Cry2Ab-containing diets in 2001 and 2002, respectively, no F1 lines were identified that seemed to carry a gene conferring substantial resistance to either Cry1Ac or Cry2Ab. Adults from F1 lines with growth scores in the highest (R) and lowest (S) quartiles were mated in four combinations, R x R, S x R, R x S, and S x S. Differences in growth rates of larvae from these crosses demonstrated that there is substantial quantitative genetic variation in eastern North Carolina populations for resistance to both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab toxins. These findings, in addition to results suggesting partially dominant inheritance of resistance to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, are critically important for determining appropriate resistance management strategies that impact the sustainability of transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.).', 'en_US'),
(3536, 'Selecting for efficacy of Bollgard cotton cultivars against various Lepidoptera using forward breeding techniques', 'Studies during the past 5 yr have shown that the overall level of protein (Cry1Ac) produced from the cry1Ac transgene (Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO) differ among commercial Bollgard cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., cultivars. These differences between cultivars are under genetic control and have been correlated with efficacy of certain lepidopteran pests. Previous studies have shown that the parental background (i.e., non-Cry1Ac conventional cultivar) has a significant influence on the amount of Cry1Ac protein in Bollgard cultivars. Unlike the backcross technique commonly used to acquire commercial Bollgard cultivars, we used forward breeding to obtain cultivars of Bollgard cotton that were selected for various levels of Cry1Ac. These differences in the amount of Cry1Ac were correlated with growth and survival of two lepidopteran pests of cotton. Implications for effective resistance management as well as relative ease of this procedure are discussed.', 'en_US'),
(3537, 'Cadherin-based resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis cotton in hybrid strains of pink bollworm: fitness costs and incomplete resistance', 'Recessive resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in laboratory-selected strains of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), is associated with three resistance alleles (r1, r2, and r3) of a cadherin gene. Previous experiments based on measurement of fitness components in Bt-resistant and Bt-susceptible strains revealed that fitness costs and incomplete resistance are associated with resistance. Here, we used two hybrid strains of pink bollworm, each containing a mixture of susceptible and resistant individuals, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications to test the association between cadherin genotype and fitness components for individuals sharing a common genetic background. All survivors on Bt cotton had two r alleles, confirming that recessive cadherin alleles are tightly linked with resistance to Bt cotton. On non-Bt cotton, significantly greater developmental time for rr than ss larvae indicated a recessive fitness cost, but costs did not affect survival or pupal weight. Incomplete resistance was manifested as longer developmental time, lower survival, and smaller pupal weight in rr individuals developing on Bt cotton compared with non-Bt cotton. As in previous experiments, no significant variation in performance on Bt cotton was detected among rr genotypes. However, a meta-analysis of data from seven experiments revealed that survival on Bt cotton relative to non-Bt cotton was lower in r2r3 and higher in r1r2 compared with the other rr genotypes. Assessment of fitness components associated with cadherin genotypes in hybrid strains of pink bollworm confirms that recessive resistance to Bt cotton is associated with recessive fitness costs and incomplete resistance.', 'en_US'),
(3538, 'Interactions among white spruce tannins, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, and spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), on larval survival, growth, and development', 'Recessive resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in laboratory-selected strains of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), is associated with three resistance alleles (r1, r2, and r3) of a cadherin gene. Previous experiments based on measurement of fitness components in Bt-resistant and Bt-susceptible strains revealed that fitness costs and incomplete resistance are associated with resistance. Here, we used two hybrid strains of pink bollworm, each containing a mixture of susceptible and resistant individuals, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications to test the association between cadherin genotype and fitness components for individuals sharing a common genetic background. All survivors on Bt cotton had two r alleles, confirming that recessive cadherin alleles are tightly linked with resistance to Bt cotton. On non-Bt cotton, significantly greater developmental time for rr than ss larvae indicated a recessive fitness cost, but costs did not affect survival or pupal weight. Incomplete resistance was manifested as longer developmental time, lower survival, and smaller pupal weight in rr individuals developing on Bt cotton compared with non-Bt cotton. As in previous experiments, no significant variation in performance on Bt cotton was detected among rr genotypes. However, a meta-analysis of data from seven experiments revealed that survival on Bt cotton relative to non-Bt cotton was lower in r2r3 and higher in r1r2 compared with the other rr genotypes. Assessment of fitness components associated with cadherin genotypes in hybrid strains of pink bollworm confirms that recessive resistance to Bt cotton is associated with recessive fitness costs and incomplete resistance.', 'en_US'),
(3539, 'Impact of small fitness costs on pest adaptation to crop varieties with multiple toxins: a heuristic model', 'A deterministic two-locus model was used to examine how small fitness costs to individuals carrying resistance alleles could impact the risk of panmictic insect pest populations adapting to crop varieties that produced two distinct toxins. Parameters examined were (1) level of toxicity of each toxin, (2) initial frequencies of alleles for adaptation to the toxins, (3) percentage of population feeding on nontoxic plants, and (4) level of fitness cost associated with adaptation to each of the two toxins. Resistance to each toxin was assumed to be biochemically independent, controlled by a resistance coding allele at a single locus, and inherited as a partially recessive trait in the field. When plants are extremely toxic to the pest, effective refuge size is 10%, and there is a fitness cost to resistance alleles only when in homozygous form (5%), the pest population is never predicted to adapt to either toxin as long as the initial frequencies of the resistance alleles are below 0.05. Even if the initial frequency of the allele for adapting to one toxin is 0.95 when a two-toxin cultivar completely replaces a one-toxin cultivar, the model predicts that a low equilibrium allelic frequency will develop for both resistance alleles, as long as the frequency of the allele for adapting to the second toxin is initially 0.001 or less. If cultivars with one and two toxins are planted, the model predicts that resistance will develop. Nonrandom mating and stochastic variation within subpopulations also could lead to evolution of resistance.', 'en_US'),
(3540, 'Evaluation of oviposition deterrence in management of resistance to transgenic corn by European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)', 'We modified an existing model for European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), population dynamics and genetics to evaluate the effectiveness of oviposition deterrence in transgenic fields for resistance management. We simulated two types of deterrence: one type has females reducing their oviposition because of lost opportunities to lay eggs (eggs lost), and the other type has the deterred females moving to the refuge to lay eggs. Oviposition deterrence was clearly effective in extending the time to resistance to transgenic corn (R allele) in the European corn borer, particularly when 80% or more of the eggs were deterred from being oviposited on the transgenic plants. With 90% of eggs deterred, the time required to reach 50% R-allele frequency increases 3.7- to 5.5-fold compared with the no-deterrence scenario. The time to 50% R-allele frequency was similar for the two types of simulated deterrence, but the densities of the European corn borer were 100-fold higher when the deterred females oviposited in the refuge. The Y allele for insensitivity or resistance to deterrence never reached 50% within the 50-yr time line for these simulations except when the R allele was dominant and the Y allele was not recessive. The time to 50% Y-allele frequency was 33 and 26 yr when the Y allele was additive or dominant, respectively, when 50% of the eggs were deterred, but the time decreased to 18 and 16 yr when 90% of the eggs were deterred. The effectiveness of oviposition deterrence on time to resistance to transgenic insecticidal plants was not changed much when we altered our assumptions about behavior in a sensitivity analysis.', 'en_US'),
(3541, 'High-level resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac and cadherin genotype in pink bollworm', 'Resistance to transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin Cry1Ac is linked with three recessive alleles of a cadherin gene in laboratory-selected strains of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), a major cotton pest. Here, we analyzed a strain (MOV97-R) with a high frequency of cadherin resistance alleles, a high frequency of resistance to 10 microg of Cry1Ac per milliliter of diet, and an intermediate frequency of resistance to 1,000 microg of Cry1Ac per ml of diet. We selected two strains for increased resistance by exposing larvae from MOV97-R to diet with 1,000 microg of Cry1Ac per ml of diet. In both selected strains, two to three rounds of selection increased survival at 1,000 microg of Cry1Ac per ml of diet to at least 76%, indicating genetic variation in survival at this high concentration and yielding &gt; 4,300-fold resistance relative to a susceptible strain. Variation in cadherin genotype did not explain variation in survival at 1,000 microg of Cry1Ac per ml of diet, implying that one or more other loci affected survival at this concentration. This conclusion was confirmed with results showing that when exposure to Cry1Ac stopped, survival at 1,000 microg of Cry1Ac per ml of diet dropped substantially, but survival at 10 microg Cry1Ac per ml of diet remained close to 100% and all survivors had two cadherin resistance alleles. Although survival at 1,000 microg of Cry1Ac per ml of diet is not required for resistance to Bt cotton, understanding how genes other than cadherin confer increased survival at this high concentration may reveal novel mechanisms of resistance.', 'en_US'),
(3542, 'Potential gene flow of two herbicide-tolerant transgenes from oilseed rape to wild B. juncea var. gracilis', 'Four successive reciprocal backcrosses between F1 (obtained from wild Brassica juncea as maternal plants and transgenic glyphosate- or glufosinate-tolerant oilseed rape, B. napus, as paternal plants) or subsequent herbicide-tolerant backcross progenies and wild B. juncea were achieved by hand pollination to assess potential transgene flow. The third and forth reciprocal backcrosses produced a number of seeds per silique similar to that of self-pollinated wild B. juncea, except in plants with glufosinate-tolerant backcross progeny used as maternal plants and wild B. juncea as paternal plants, which produced fewer seeds per silique than did self-pollinated wild B. juncea. Germination percentages of reciprocal backcross progenies were high and equivalent to those of wild B. juncea. The herbicide-tolerant first reciprocal backcross progenies produced fewer siliques per plant than did wild B. juncea, but the herbicide-tolerant second or third reciprocal backcross progenies did not differ from the wild B. juncea in siliques per plant. The herbicide-tolerant second and third reciprocal backcross progenies produced an amount of seeds per silique similar to that of wild B. juncea except for with the glufosinate-tolerant first and second backcross progeny used as maternal plants and wild B. juncea as paternal plants. In the presence of herbicide selection pressure, inheritance of the glyphosate-tolerant transgene was stable across the second and third backcross generation, whereas the glufosinate-tolerant transgene was maintained, despite a lack of stabilized introgression. The occurrence of fertile, transgenic weed-like plants after only three crosses (F1, first backcross, second backcross) suggests a potential rapid spread of transgenes from oilseed rape into its wild relative wild B. juncea. Transgene flow from glyphosate-tolerant oilseed rape might be easier than that from glufosinate-tolerant oilseed rape to wild B. juncea. The original insertion site of the transgene could affect introgression.', 'en_US');
INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3543, 'Sample size for detecting and estimating the proportion of transgenic plants with narrow confidence intervals', 'Detecting the presence of genetically modified plants (adventitious presence of unwanted transgenic plants, AP) from outcrossing species such as maize requires a method that lowers laboratory costs without losing precision. Group testing is a procedure in which groups that contain several units (plants) are analysed without having to inspect individual plants, with the purpose of estimating the prevalence of AP in a population at a low cost without losing precision. When pool (group) testing is used to estimate the prevalence of AP (p), there are sampling procedures for calculating a confidence interval (CI); however, they usually do not ensure precision in the estimation of p. This research proposes a method to determine the number of pools (g), given a pool size (k), that ensures precision in the estimated proportion of AP (that is, it ensures a narrow CI). In addition, the study computes the maximum likelihood estimator of p under pool testing and its exact CI, considering the detection limit of the laboratory, d, and the concentration of AP per unit (c). The proposed sample procedure involves two steps: (1) obtain a sample size that guarantees that the mean width of the CI (w) is narrower than the desired width (omega); and (2) iteratively increase the sample size until w is smaller than the desired width (omega) with a specified degree of certainty (gamma). Simulated data were created and tables are presented showing the different possible scenarios that a researcher may encounter. An R program is given and explained that will reproduce the results and make it easy for the researcher to create other scenarios. ', 'en_US'),
(3544, 'Sustainable introduction of GM crops into European agriculture: a summary report of the FP6 SIGMEA research project', 'In 2003, the European Commission established the principle of coexistence which refers to ''the ability of farmers to make a practical choice between conventional, organic and GM-crop production, in compliance with the legal obligations for labelling and/or purity standards'' and laid down guidelines defining the context of this coexistence. In order to determine what is needed for the sustainable introduction of GM crops in Europe, the cross-disciplinary SIGMEA Research Project was set up to create a science-based framework to inform decision-makers. SIGMEA has (i) collated and analysed European data on gene flow and the environmental impacts of the major crop species which are likely to be transgenic in the future (maize, rapeseed, sugar beet, rice, and wheat), (ii) designed predictive models of gene flow at the landscape level, (iii) analysed the technical feasibility and economic impacts of coexistence in the principal farming regions of Europe, (iv) developed novel GMO detection methods, (v) addressed legal issues related to coexistence, and (vi) proposed public and farm scale decision-making tools, as well as guidelines regarding management and governance. This publishable version of the final activity report of the FP6 SIGMEA research project, covers the fourteen major issues under investigation.', 'en_US'),
(3545, 'Mirid bug outbreaks in multiple crops correlated with wide-scale adoption of Bt cotton in China', 'Long-term ecological effects of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops on nontarget pests have received limited attention, more so in diverse small holder-based cropping systems of the developing world. Field trials conducted over 10 years in northern China show that mirid bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) have progressively increased population sizes and acquired pest status in cotton and multiple other crops, in association with a regional increase in Bt cotton adoption. More specifically, our analyses show that Bt cotton has become a source of mirid bugs and that their population increases are related to drops in insecticide use in this crop. Hence, alterations of pest management regimes in Bt cotton could be responsible for the appearance and subsequent spread of nontarget pests at an agro-landscape level.', 'en_US'),
(3546, 'Problem formulation in the environmental risk assessment for genetically modified plants', 'Problem formulation is the first step in environmental risk assessment (ERA) where policy goals, scope, assessment endpoints, and methodology are distilled to an explicitly stated problem and approach for analysis. The consistency and utility of ERAs for genetically modified (GM) plants can be improved through rigorous problem formulation (PF), producing an analysis plan that describes relevant exposure scenarios and the potential consequences of these scenarios. A properly executed PF assures the relevance of ERA outcomes for decision-making. Adopting a harmonized approach to problem formulation should bring about greater uniformity in the ERA process for GM plants among regulatory regimes globally. This paper is the product of an international expert group convened by the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Research Foundation.', 'en_US'),
(3547, 'Identification of a hybridization window that facilitates sizeable reductions of pollen-mediated gene flow in spring wheat', 'Transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with improved agronomic traits is currently being field-tested. Gene flow in space is well-documented, but isolation in time has not received comparable attention. Here, we report the results of a field experiment that investigated reductions in intraspecific gene flow associated with temporal isolation of flowering between T. aestivum conspecifics. Pollen-mediated gene flow (PMGF) between an imazamox-resistant (IR) volunteer wheat population and a non-IR spring wheat crop was assessed over a range of volunteer emergence timings and plant population densities that collectively promoted flowering asynchrony. Natural hybridization events between the two populations were detected by phenotypically scoring plants in F1 populations followed by verification with Mendelian segregation ratios in the F1:2 lines. Based on the examination of &gt; 545,000 seedlings, we identified a hybridization window in spring wheat approximately 125 growing degree-days (GDD) in length. We found a sizeable reduction (two- to four-fold) in gene flow frequencies when flowering occurred outside of this window. The hybridization window identified in this research also will serve to temporally isolate neighboring wheat crops. However, strict control of volunteer populations or spatial isolation of neighbouring crops emerging within a 125 GDD hybridization window will be necessary to maintain low frequencies of PMGF in spring wheat fields. The model developed herein also is likely to be applicable to other wind-pollinated species.', 'en_US'),
(3548, 'Comparative effects of dietary administered transgenic and conventional papaya on selected intestinal parameters in rat models', 'Transformation of agricultural crops with novel genes has significantly advanced disease-resistance breeding, including virus resistance through the expression of virus sequences. In this study, the effects of long-term, repeated exposure to transgenic papayas carrying the coat protein gene of Papaya ringspot virus and conventional non-transgenic papaya on the histology and selected biochemical parameters of the intestinal tract were compared. For 3 months, male and female Wistar rats received diets containing transgenic or non-transgenic papaya at twice the equivalent of the average daily consumption of fresh papayas. Gross and macroscopic appearance of intestinal tissues, as well as stomach tissues, was comparable (P &lt; 0.05) as were total intestinal bacterial counts and activities of beta-glucuronidase. Activities of disaccharidases were not affected, neither were those of amylase (P &lt; 0.05). Although significant differences were noted in the activity of Ca2+ and Na+/K+ ATPase brush border enzymes, no morphological alteration in the integrity of the intestinal mucosa was found. Overall, negligible effects on feed intake, body weight, and fecal output were observed (P &lt; 0.05). Taken together, long-term exposure to diets formulated with transgenic papaya did not result in biologically important unintended effects.', 'en_US'),
(3549, 'Rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) communities in transgenic Bt (MON810) and near isogenic maize', 'Field experiments were conducted to investigate the mechanism of the underlying patterns (abundance, species richness, diversity and similarity) of rove beetles in transgenic Bt (MON810) and in near isogenic maize stands in Hungary. During the three-year (2001-2003) survey, 1538 individuals and 21 species were sampled with pitfall traps. The Cry1Ab protein expressed by the MON810 maize hybrid did not influence the overall community structure. After grouping staphylinids into guilds we found no significant differences for non-aphidophagous predators and parasitoids, whereas there were significantly and marginally significantly higher abundances for predators with aphids in their diet in isogenic maize stands in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The abundance of the prey Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) showed a high fluctuation between stands and years and was numerically higher only in isogenic stands in the second half of the maize-growing season. The abundance of predatory guilds including aphids in their diet did not correlate with the total annual number of R. padi in the same year, but there was a linear correlation in successive years.', 'en_US'),
(3550, 'A preliminary study on the effects of a transgenic corn event on the non-target pest Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)', 'The inclusion of the cry gene in corn may produce direct effects on non-target pests. Our research was focused on the relationship between Bt corn germplasm, expressing the cry1F protein to control the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae), and a non-target pest, the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (Cicadellidae). The aim of this contribution was to elucidate if Bt corn plants have influence on the oviposition preference of the leafhopper and to evaluate the effect of the transgenic plant on the hatching rate of egg. Female corn leafhoppers were released in cages each containing two potted plants in the V2 stage: a Bt germplasm and the corresponding isogenic hybrid. Laid eggs were counted and the number of hatched nymphs recorded. D. maidis females oviposited and laid more eggs in Bt plants. The egg hatching rate was negatively affected by the Bt germplasm. In addition, a field study was conducted in order to determine the abundance of D. maidis adults in Bt corn and the corresponding non-Bt isoline. Two corn plots sown with the same germplasms as used in the laboratory bioassays were sampled weekly. In the field, the population of the corn leafhopper was higher in the Bt corn plot than in the non-Bt isoline. Possible hypotheses for the differences in abundance of the vector in the field are: (a) that pleiotropic effects of Bt corn could attract adults; (b) the existence of a possible direct competition between the corn leafhopper and the target pest in order to utilize the whorls of corn plants as refuge and feeding sites, so the high populations of the vector could be due to the large supply of healthy whorls in the transgenic plot; and/or (c) a differential attack of natural enemies occurring in non-Bt plots.', 'en_US'),
(3551, 'Strategies on the safety of selectable marker genes in transgenic plant', 'Selectable marker genes encoding antibiotic and herbicide are widely used in transgenic plants and have a potential risk to the environment and human health. Currently, there are three kinds of strategies to improve security in using marker genes in transgenic plants: One approach is to develop the use of uncontested biosafety marker genes, the second is to use transgenic plants-removed selectable marker genes and the third is the use of non-selective marker gene transformation system. In this review, each of the strategy principles and problems are highlighted. Moreover, the perspectives are discussed to improve the safety of selectable marker genes in transgenic plants.', 'en_US'),
(3552, 'Proposed definition of environmental damage illustrated by the cases of genetically modified crops and invasive species', 'The introduction of non-native plant species and the release of genetically modified (GM) crops can induce environmental changes at gene to ecosystem levels. Regulatory frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity or the EU Deliberate Release Directive aim to prevent environmental damage but do not define the term. Although ecologists and conservationists often refer to environmental effects of GM crops or invasive species as damage, most authors do not disclose their normative assumptions or explain why some environmental impacts are regarded as detrimental and others are not. Thus far, a concise definition of environmental damage is missing and is necessary for a transparent assessment of environmental effects or risks. Therefore, we suggest defining environmental damage as a significant adverse effect on a biotic or abiotic conservation resource (i.e., a biotic or abiotic natural resource that is protected by conservational or environmental legislation) that has an impact on the value of the conservation resource, the conservation resource as an ecosystem component, or the sustainable use of the conservation resource. This definition relies on three normative assumptions: only concrete effects on a conservation resource can be damages; only adverse effects that lead to a decrease in the value of the conservation resource can be damages; and only significant adverse effects constitute damage to a conservation resource. Applying this definition within the framework of environmental risk assessment requires further normative determinations, for example, selection of a threshold to distinguish between adverse and significant adverse effects and approaches for assessing the environmental value of conservation resources. Such determinations, however, are not part of the definition of environmental damage. Rather they are part of the definition''s operationalization through assessment procedures, which must be grounded in a comprehensible definition of environmental damage.', 'en_US'),
(3553, 'Long-term persistence of GM oilseed rape in the seedbank', 'Coexistence between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM plants is a field of rapid development and considerable controversy. In crops, it is increasingly important to understand and predict the GM volunteer emergence in subsequent non-GM crops. Theoretical models suggest recruitment from the seedbank over extended periods, but empirical evidence matching these predictions has been scarce. Here, we provide evidence of long-term GM seed persistence in conventional agriculture. Ten years after a trial of GM herbicide-tolerant oilseed rape, emergent seedlings were collected and tested for herbicide tolerance. Seedlings that survived the glufosinate herbicide (15 out of 38 volunteers) tested positive for at least one GM insert. The resulting density was equivalent to 0.01 plants m-2, despite complying with volunteer reduction recommendations. These results are important in relation to debating and regulating coexistence of GM and non-GM crops, particularly for planting non-GM crops after GM crops in the same field.', 'en_US'),
(3554, 'Hybridization between GM crops and their wild ancestors and its effect on biological diversity', 'Environmental safety issues are discussed using a case study on Glycine soja, a wild ancestral species of the GM crop Glycine max. GM Glycine max is considered a threat to biological diversity in the Far East region. The reliability of a press release reported by the Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Ministry in 2008 is questioned, particularly regarding the statistical treatment of the data presented. In this press release, the safety of Glycine max is confirmed, based on results that reported small natural hybridization ratios between Glycine max and Glycine soja of approximately less than one in a thousand. However, this natural hybridization ratio was calculated without removing the number of plants whose flowering period differed from Glycine soja. Thus the re-calculated natural hybridization ratios have been corrected to 0.084 and 0.272 for the tests undertaken in 2005 and 2007, respectively. Considering that the natural mutation ratio is between 10&lt;Minus&gt;5 and 10&lt;Minus&gt;7, those natural hybridization ratios can be considered significantly high. The establishment of reliable technology for assessing levels of hybridization is recommended. Also, monitoring technology for early detection of hybridization effects in wild plants as well as corrective measures in case gene flow does occur into the wild are required.', 'en_US'),
(3555, 'On the competitiveness of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera damage abatement strategies in Hungary: a bio-economic approach', 'Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte or western corn rootworm (WCR) is a major pest of cultivated maize, Zea mays L., introduced into Europe in 1992. Since then, the beetle spread through Central Europe, leading to a continuous pest population in 11 European countries. This article presents an economic assessment of different damage abatement strategies against this invasive species in the Hungarian maize sector. A bio-economic model, using Monte Carlo sampling, estimates the potential damage from WCR under no control and the value created by Bt maize, seed treatment, soil insecticides and cultural control. At the same time, potential market shares for the different damage abatement options under perfect information are deducted. The potential damages under a no control scenario are estimated at Euro 176/ha for grain maize farmers on average, which points out the need for well-designed damage abatement strategies. For land-constrained farmers cultural control is a valuable damage abatement strategy, being the optimal choice in 69% of the cases. In monoculture Bt maize is the best option as it creates the highest value in 78% of the cases. However, as Bt maize active against WCR is not deregulated in the European Union, soil insecticides in 54% of the cases and seed treatment in 46% of the cases are the rational choices. As the value created by Bt maize is positive, not deregulating Bt maize in Hungary leads to benefits foregone ranging from Euro 16/ha for land-constrained grain farmers to Euro 49/ha in the case of silage maize under monoculture. Finally, the results of the sensitivity analysis can be used to develop a multi-criteria tool to aid farmers in applying the appropriate damage abatement strategy. This could decrease the dependency of farmers on scouting techniques and economic thresholds of WCR presence.', 'en_US'),
(3556, 'Cross-resistance of Cry1Ab-selected Asian corn borer to other Cry toxins', 'The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is the most important insect pest of maize in China. Despite the proven track record of biotech Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize to provide an effective means to control lepidopteran pests such as the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), these crops have not been commercialized in China. However, Cry1Ab- and Cry1F-expressing maize derived from genetic transformation events MON810 (Monsanto), Bt11 (Syngenta) and TC1507 (Pioneer, DuPont) as well as Cry1Ah-, Cry1A- (a Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac hybrid toxin), and Cry1Ac-, Cry1Ie-expressing maize developed by the Chinese institutions have been shown to effectively suppress O. furnacalis in field trials. The development of resistance in target pests is a major threat to the use of Bt maize. A strain of O. furnacalis selected with Cry1Ab protein incorporated into artificial diet developed more than 100-fold resistance to Cry1Ab after 35 generations of selection, and readily consumed Cry1Ab-expressing maize silks. Although LC50s of the selected insect strain were not progressively increased, and even decreased in the following generations, these insects (ACB-AbR) could survive on Cry1Ab-expressing maize tissue after 51 generations of selection. In addition, susceptibility of ACB-AbR to a number of other Bt toxins to which the selected strains had not previously been exposed, was significantly decreased. The highest level of cross-resistance was observed with Cry1Ah (131-fold), followed by Cry1Ac (36-fold). A low level of cross-resistance (6-fold) to Cry1F was also detected. In contrast, ACB-AbR was equally susceptible to Cry1Ie as the unselected control strain. These results indicate that the availability of multiple toxins could improve resistance management strategies, provided that the potential for cross-resistance among toxins is not an issue.', 'en_US'),
(3557, 'Effects of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) rice on biodiversity of weed in paddy fields', 'To detect potential changes in properties of weed communities in fields of GMHT rice Bar68-1, trials were carried out from 2007-2008 at Changsha, China with conventional indica rice D68 served as control. The average richness of weed community measured by species accumulation curve tended to be identical in the fields of Bar68-1 and D68 as the number of sampling points increased. There were no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) in diversity indices which included numbers of species(S), Shannon-Wiener (H''), Pielou evenness (J''), Simpson diversity (D) and evenness (E) indices. Species composition for these two weed communities was roughly comparable. The top four weed species, sorted by individual abundance, were Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Presl ex Kunth, Lindernia procumbens (Krock.) Philcox, Cyperus diformis L. and Juncellus serotinus (Rottb.). B. Clarke in the fields of Bar68-1 and D68. ABC curves showed that the weed communities were ''unpolluted''. The data above confirm the hypothesis that the difference between the effect of GMHT rice Bar68-1 on biodiversity of weed in paddy fields and that of non-GM rice D68 was not significant.', 'en_US'),
(3558, 'The origin and fate of morphological intermediates between wild and cultivated soybeans in their natural habitats in Japan', 'The spread of transgenes into the genome of wild soybean is a concern when transgenic and wild soybeans are planted sympatrically. The objectives of this study were to investigate the origin and fate of morphological intermediates between wild and cultivated soybeans in their natural habitats in Japan. Twenty nuclear microsatellite and two chloroplast dCAPS markers were used to evaluate genetic variation of 468 wild, 17 intermediate, and 12 cultivated soybean samples collected from six sites between 2003 and 2006. Allelic differentiation of microsatellite markers between wild and cultivated soybeans was sufficient to detect their hybrids. Based on levels of observed heterozygosity, intermediate soybean plants were from two generations: either F1 or an early segregating generation. Genetic admixture analysis and parentage assignment analysis revealed that the parents of all intermediate soybean plants could be assigned to a particular wild soybean plant and late-maturing cultivar. The chloroplast DNA haplotypes revealed that all intermediate soybean plants originated from gene flow from cultivated to wild soybeans at all sites. Based on monitoring at both the phenotypic and molecular levels, hybrids quickly disappeared from natural habitats, and secondary gene flow from these plants to wild soybean was not detected. Thus, while gene flow from transgenic soybean into wild soybean can occur, gene introgression appears to be rare in natural habitats in Japan. This is the first report on the detection of gene flow from cultivated to wild soybean at the molecular level.', 'en_US'),
(3559, 'Genetic diversity of feral alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations occurring in Manitoba, Canada and comparison with alfalfa cultivars: an analysis using SSR markers and phenotypic traits', 'Feral populations of cultivated crops may act as reservoirs for novel traits and aid in trait movement across the landscape. Knowledge on the genetic diversity of feral populations may provide new insights into their origin and evolution and may help in the design of efficient novel trait confinement protocols. In this study, the genetic diversity of 12 feral alfalfa (Medicago sativa) populations originating from southern Manitoba (Canada) and 10 alfalfa cultivars and a M. falcata germplasm were investigated using eight SSR markers (i.e., microsatellites) and 14 phenotypic traits. We found that the genetic diversity observed in feral populations was similar to the diversity detected among the 10 cultivars. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that there was great genetic variation within (99.8%) rather than between different feral populations. Cluster analysis (unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic average) revealed no differentiation between feral populations and cultivars for neutral loci. High levels of population differentiation for phenotypic traits (and not for neutral markers) suggest the occurrence of heterogeneous selection for adaptive traits. The phenotypic traits we studied did not distinctly separate feral populations from cultivars but there was evidence of natural selection in feral populations for traits including winter survivability, rhizome production, and prostrate growth habit. Our results suggest that feral alfalfa populations need to be considered in the risk assessment of alfalfa containing novel genetically modified (GM) traits. Further, feral alfalfa populations may be regarded as a source of new germplasm for plant improvement.', 'en_US'),
(3560, 'Natural variation explains most transcriptomic changes among maize plants of MON810 and comparable non-GM varieties subjected to two N-fertilization farming practices', 'The introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in many countries follows strict regulations to ensure that only safety-tested products are marketed. Over the last few years, targeted approaches have been complemented by profiling methods to assess possible unintended effects of transformation. Here we used a commercial (Affymertix) microarray platform (i.e. allowing assessing the expression of approx. 1/3 of the genes of maize) to evaluate transcriptional differences between commercial MON810 GM maize and non-transgenic crops in real agricultural conditions, in a region where about 70% of the maize grown was MON810. To consider natural variation in gene expression in relation to biotech plants we took two common MON810/non-GM variety pairs as examples, and two farming practices (conventional and low-nitrogen fertilization). MON810 and comparable non-GM varieties grown in the field have very low numbers of sequences with differential expression, and their identity differs among varieties. Furthermore, we show that the differences between a given MON810 variety and the non-GM counterpart do not appear to depend to any major extent on the assayed cultural conditions, even though these differences may slightly vary between the conditions. In our study, natural variation explained most of the variability in gene expression among the samples. Up to 37.4% was dependent upon the variety (obtained by conventional breeding) and 31.9% a result of the fertilization treatment. In contrast, the MON810 GM character had a very minor effect (9.7%) on gene expression in the analyzed varieties and conditions, even though similar cryIA(b) expression levels were detected in the two MON810 varieties and nitrogen treatments. This indicates that transcriptional differences of conventionally-bred varieties and under different environmental conditions should be taken into account in safety assessment studies of GM plants.', 'en_US'),
(3561, 'Transgenic disease-resistant wheat does not affect the clonal performance of the aphid Metopolophium dirhodum Walker', 'Ever since the introduction of transgenic crops one of the main concerns has been their potential impact on non-target organisms. In this study we looked at the impact of transgenic disease-resistant wheat on different clones of the aphid Metopolophium dirhodum. Looking at different clones allowed us to assess whether impacts depended on aphid clone and whether there were aphid clone x wheat line interactions (genotype x environment interactions). The performance of 30 aphid clones on four different transgenic wheat lines and their corresponding control lines was studied in a life-table experiment assessing the following aphid life-history parameters: development time, adult weight, daily fecundity, total offspring number and the fitness estimate F''i. As expected, we found significant variation among aphid clones for all the measured life-history parameters. However, our experiments did not reveal any major impact of the transgenic wheat lines on aphid performance. The only significant difference was found for total offspring number which was reduced by 3.33% on the transgenic wheat lines compared with the control lines. There was no evidence for a genotype x environment interaction between aphid clones and wheat lines. In sum, our results imply that the genetically modified plants used in this assay were of similar host plant quality as the non-transformed control lines and that the introduced transgene had no major effect on the performance of individual aphid clones.', 'en_US'),
(3562, 'Establishing diagnostic platform for environmental biosafety assessment of genetically modified plants based on the decision-tree method', 'Transgenic biotechnology and its products provide important solutions for the great challenge of global food security. Biosafety assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including their food and environmental safety is a prerequisite for the commercialization and safe application of transgenic biotechnology products. However, existing methodologies cannot meet the urgent requirements for rapid biosafety assessment of the increasing number of new and sophisticated GMOs. Therefore, a new, more efficient and objective biosafety assessment methodology is needed. The decision tree, a widely used methodology for data mining and analysis, has a particular function in solving complicated problems. This article introduces the concepts, characteristics, and categorization of a decision tree, as well as methods for decision tree construction. Our objective is to explore the potential of establishing a diagnostic platform for biosafety assessment of GMOs in an efficient and accurate way. This biosafety assessment platform should also be useful for predicting the safety of the new generation of GMOs, and for educating the public on environmental biosafety, thereby providing a solid base for further development of transgenic technology and safe application of transgenic products.', 'en_US'),
(3563, 'Does GM wheat affect saprophagous Diptera species (Drosophilidae, Phoridae)?', 'Genetically modified (GM) plants might affect ecosystem functioning through effects on non-target decomposer organisms, which play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient release. These organisms can be affected directly by the transgene products, or indirectly by pleiotropic effects, which may influence the composition of plant compounds, such as the lignin content or the C/N ratio that could even modify matter flux. Therefore, an ecological risk assessment for GM plants also has to include decomposers. In a laboratory diet experiment, we investigated possible effects of transgenic antifungal wheat on two saprophagous Diptera species, the drosophilid Drosophila melanogaster and the phorid Megaselia scalaris. We used several experimental transgenic wheat varieties with a specific antifungal powdery mildew resistance (Pm3b) and varieties with a broad antifungal resistance, which is based on the expression of chitinase and glucanase. We determined if important fitness parameters, such as fertility, development time and sex ratio differed when the two saprophagous Diptera species were fed with either leaves of transgenic or non-transgenic wheat. To include potential long-term effects, we performed our experiments over four fly generations. Additionally, we analysed the C/N ratio, and the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents of the different wheat lines to investigate any changes in the diet composition, which may alter food quality through potential pleiotropic effects. We found occasional differences in development time or the number of offspring for both dipteran species in several investigated diet comparisons but we found no consistent pattern of GM wheat effects on the tested dipteran species. Though some wheat lines showed an altered chemical composition, possibly indicating a pleiotropic effect, we found no correlation between diet quality of the wheat lines and fitness parameters. Our study shows also that dipterans represent useful model species with M. scalaris being the most suitable species, and that our experimental approach is an appropriate laboratory method to investigate the decomposition of GM material by insect larvae.', 'en_US'),
(3564, 'Natural introgression from cultivated soybean (Glycine max) into wild soybean (Glycine soja) with the implications for origin of populations of semi-wild type and for biosafety of wild species in China', 'Introgression from soybean cultivars to its wild progenitor species is an interesting antidromic recombination in natural ecosystem with many consequences, including the alteration of genetic diversity, the origin of semi-wild soybean, and implication for biosafety of the wild progenitor species with future release of the genetically modified varieties. Although such interspecific introgression is not suspected to be ubiquitous in the sympatric regions of wild and cultivated soybeans, the documentations published based on some molecular experimental analyses on the introgression have been little substantiated by the occurring process morphologically and remain deficient for unquestionable evidence, owing to the lack of actual insight into the population dynamics. Here, we found the phenomenon of gene escape and presented the evidence for occurrence of introgression from soybeans into the wild species and for how originates about the semi-wild type soybean based on morphological investigation of population dynamics. Our results suggest that more attention should be paid to the escape of genetically modified genotypes to safeguard the biosafety of wild soybean gene pool, if GM soybeans are released in China, the place of origin of cultivated soybeans.', 'en_US'),
(3565, 'Susceptibility and fitness cost of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera associated with cry 1Ac toxin of Bt cotton.', 'Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) populations collected from different cotton-growing areas of Punjab and Rajasthan (India) were studied for change in the baseline susceptibility (LC50) to Cry1Ac and impact of continuous laboratory selection of this pest on Cry1Ac toxin protein. Two years of Bt-cotton cultivation in these states did not result in any significant changes in susceptibility of H. armigera with LC50 values (microg Cry1Ac/ml of SS (semi-synthetic) diet) for populations from this cotton-growing area ranging between 0.109 to 0.203 in 2005 compared to 0.140 to 0.223 in 2006. As this was indicative of a low change in tolerance levels, the susceptibility differences observed among different populations were attributed to existence of genetic variability/molecular differences, which were established using comparative RAPD profiles. On an average, the tolerance levels of these populations to Cry1Ac-showed only 1.57 to 2.91 fold increase in 2005 and 2.02 to 3.23 fold in 2006, compared to the values of a susceptible population established in 2002 i.e., three years before the approval of Bt cotton cultivation in these two states. The laboratory selection (0.1 microg Cry 1Ac/ml diet) of these populations for six continuous generations resulted in decrease in susceptibility with LC50 values ranging from 0.165 to 0.311 microg/ml diet for seven populations from Punjab and Rajasthan. However, this improvement in tolerance level of H. armigera was associated with increased larval mortality, decreased pupation and adult emergence, low rate of fecundity and decreased hatching of eggs coupled with numerous deformities as compared to populations on normal diet. This higher level of fitness cost that was observed during selection of earlier generation of H. armigera however showed a continuous decline as the populations entered into subsequent generation thus resulting in improved survival due to decrease in per cent deformities of different development stages. The observed high fitness cost of H. armigera even at Cry1Ac level is much lower than the expressed toxin levels in most Bt-cotton hybrids goes against the possibility of a rapid resistance development in this pest.', 'en_US'),
(3566, 'Community structure of arthropods in transgenic cotton fields and their seasonal dynamics.', '', 'en_US'),
(3567, 'A 104-week feeding study of genetically modified soybeans in F344 rats.', 'A chronic feeding study to evaluate the safety of genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soybeans (GM soybeans) was conducted using F344 DuCrj rats. The rats were fed diet containing GM soybeans or Non-GM soybeans at the concentration of 30% in basal diet. Non-GM soybeans were a closely related strain to the GM soybeans. These two diets were adjusted to an identical nutrient level. In this study, the influence of GM soybeans in rats was compared with that of the Non-GM soybeans, and furthermore, to assess the effect of soybeans themselves, the groups of rats fed GM and Non-GM soybeans were compared with a group fed commercial diet (CE-2). General conditions were observed daily and body weight and food consumption were recorded. At the termination (104 weeks), animals were subjected to hematology, serum biochemistry, and pathological examinations. There were several differences in animal growth, food intake, organ weights and histological findings between the rats fed the GM and/or Non-GM soybeans and the rats fed CE-2. However, body weight and food intake were similar for the rats fed the GM and Non-GM soybeans. Gross necropsy findings, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, and organ weights showed no meaningful difference between rats fed the GM and Non-GM soybeans. In pathological observation, there was neither an increase in incidence nor any specific type of nonneoplastic or neoplastic lesions in the GM soybeans group in each sex. These results indicate that long-term intake of GM soybeans at the level of 30% in diet has no apparent adverse effect in rats. ', 'en_US'),
(3568, 'Bt protein rhizosecreted from transgenic maize does not accumulate in soil', 'The persistence of CryIAb protein rhizosecreted in soil is important in the assessment of its environmental risk. Here we report that CryIAb protein from transgenic maize does not accumulate at high levels in soils. Levels of CryIAb protein rhizosecreted by three maize transgenic events (BT11, MON810 and 176) were studied in hydroponic cultures and found only in the MON810 and BT11 events but not in event 176 or control plants. Under field conditions, the cryIAb  gene and a basal level of CryIAb protein was detected in soils from plots cultivated with transgenic and non-transgenic maize, possibly from Bacillus thuringiensis present in the soils.', 'en_US'),
(3569, 'The biology and ecology of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its implications for trait confinement', 'This review summarizes the biological and ecological factors of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that contribute to trait movement including the ability to volunteer, germination and establishment characteristics, breeding system, pollen movement, and hybridization potential. Although wheat has a short-lived seedbank with a wide range of temperature and moisture requirements for germination and no evidence of secondary dormancy, volunteer wheat populations are increasing in relative abundance and some level of seed persistence in the soil has been observed. Hexaploid wheat is predominantly self-pollinating with cleistogamous flowers and pollen viability under optimal conditions of only 0.5 h, yet observations indicate that pollen-mediated gene flow can and will occur at distances up to 3 km and is highly dependent on prevailing wind patterns. Hybridization with wild relatives such as A. cylindrica Host., Secale cereale  L., and Triticum turgidum L. is a serious concern in regions where these species grow in field margins and unmanaged lands, regardless of which genome the transgene is located on. More research is needed to determine the long-term population dynamics of volunteer wheat populations before conclusions can be drawn with regard to their role in trait movement. Seed movement has the potential to create adventitious presence (AP) on a larger scale than pollen, and studies tracing the movement of wheat seed in the grain handling system are needed. Finally, the development of mechanistic models that predict landscape-level trait movement are required to identify transgene escape routes and critical points for gene containment in various cropping systems.', 'en_US'),
(3570, 'Environmental impact of herbicide regimes used with genetically modified herbicide-resistant maize', 'With the potential advent of genetically modified herbicide-resistant (GMHR) crops in the European Union, changes in patterns of herbicide use are predicted. Broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicides used with GMHR crops are expected to substitute for a set of currently used herbicides, which might alter the agro-environmental footprint from crop production. To test this hypothesis, the environmental impact of various herbicide regimes currently used with non-GMHR maize in Belgium was calculated and compared with that of possible herbicide regimes applied in GMHR maize. Impacts on human health and the environment were calculated through the pesticide occupational and environmental risk (POCER) indicator. Results showed that the environmental impact of herbicide regimes solely relying on the active ingredients glyphosate (GLY) or glufosinate-ammonium (GLU) is lower than that of herbicide regimes applied in non-GMHR maize. Due to the lower potential of GLY and GLU to contaminate ground water and their lower acute toxicity to aquatic organisms, the POCER exceedence factor values for the environment were reduced approximately by a sixth when GLY or GLU is used alone. However, the environmental impact of novel herbicide regimes tested may be underestimated due to the assumption that active ingredients used with GMHR maize would be used alone. Data retrieved from literature suggest that weed control efficacy is increased and resistance development delayed when GLY or GLU is used together with other herbicides in the GMHR system. Due to the partial instead of complete replacement of currently used herbicide regimes, the beneficial environmental impact of novel herbicide regimes might sometimes be reduced or counterbalanced. Despite the high weed control efficacy provided by the biotechnology-based weed management strategy, neither indirect harmful effects on farmland biodiversity through losses in food resources and shelter, nor shifts in weed communities have been demonstrated in GMHR maize yet. However, with the increasing adoption rate of GMHR maize and their associated novel herbicide regimes, this situation is expected to change in the short-term.', 'en_US'),
(3571, 'Cultivation of genetically modified organisms: resource needs for monitoring adverse effects on biodiversity', 'Genetically modified organisms (GMO) in non-European countries are introduced into the agro-environment on large scale with little knowledge of adverse effects on biodiversity. In the European Union (EU) possible effects of GMOs on biodiversity have to be accurately and precisely monitored. Monitoring biodiversity with a high precision is expensive and may only be achieved in close cooperation between GMO monitoring and general biodiversity monitoring. The EuMon project sampled metadata on biodiversity monitoring in Europe. Basing on the metadata, we estimated resource needs for biodiversity monitoring as needed for detecting potential adverse effects of GMOs on biodiversity. On average the analyzed schemes with a potential to detect at least a 5% change of biodiversity monitor 242.6 ± 105.4 sites at 322.6 ± 172.1 person days employing 63 ± 23 persons per year. The time invested in monitoring, given as person days, however, differed greatly between schemes and species groups, so that real manpower might be considerably higher.', 'en_US'),
(3572, 'Effects of subchronic exposure to transgenic papayas (Carica papaya L.) on liver and kidney enzymes and lipid parameters in rats', 'BACKGROUND: Declines due to Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) are the primary constraint limiting production of papaya (Carica papaya L.) in tropical and subtropical regions. Given the lack of suitable sources of resistance in the genus, transgenic papayas carrying the coat protein gene of a local strain of PRSV were recently developed to manage the disease in Jamaica. For assurance of food safety, a 90 day subchronic whole-food feeding study in rats was conducted with transgenic and non-transgenic papayas. RESULTS: Male and female Wistar rats (N = 56) received diets containing transgenic or non-transgenic papayas at twice the equivalent of the average daily human consumption of fresh papayas. No adverse effects on animal behaviour or differences in body weight and organ weight between the animal groups (P &lt; 0.05) were observed during the study. Necropsy at the end of the study indicated that neither pathological nor histopathological abnormalities were present in the liver and kidneys of rats in the control and treated groups. In addition, the levels of activity of plasma, liver and kidney acid and alkaline phosphatases and alanine and aspartate transaminases were comparable (P &lt; 0.05). Although significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) were found in the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the plasma and liver among animals of the treated groups, overall the values were comparable to those of the control. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that consumption of transgenic papayas may not have adverse effects in rats as regards the parameters considered in this study.', 'en_US'),
(3573, 'Individual and combined effects of salinity and waterlogging on Cry1Ac expression and insecticidal efficacy of Bt cotton', 'Salinity, waterlogging and a combination of both stresses are severe threats to plant growth, development and yield of field-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), but their individual or combined effects on insecticidal efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic cotton and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, two cotton cultivars (33B and SCRC17) containing the Cry1Ac  insecticidal protein gene were planted in 10 L pots filled with soil and allowed to grow in a greenhouse. The potted plants were either treated with NaCl (5 mg/g, w/w), waterlogging, or a combination of both stresses at the three true-leaf stage, and levels of total soluble protein, Bt insecticidal protein, gossypol and the control efficacy as indicated by mortality of bollworm larvae were examined at 7-day intervals after stress. Waterlogging and a combination of salinity and waterlogging reduced total protein content by 40–46% and 45–65% and Bt protein content by 38–50% and 45–72% from 7 to 21 days after stress, relative to the non-stressed control, respectively. The control efficacy was significantly reduced by either waterlogging or the combined stress. Regression analysis indicated that Bt protein content was correlated to total soluble protein content (R2 = 0.7677*), while Bt cotton efficacy was correlated to Bt protein level (R2 = 0.7917**). Salinity reduced Bt protein by 11–22% and total soluble protein by 5.7–7.2% from 7 to 21 days after NaCl stress, but did not result in reduction in control efficacy. It is concluded that reduced bollworm control efficacy under waterlogging or the combined stress could be mainly attributed to the declined levels of Bt protein, which is closely associated with the inhibited nitrogen metabolism by stresses. As one of the secondary compounds that are toxic to pests, increases in gossypol may be involved in maintaining the efficacy when Bt protein level was reduced under salinity.', 'en_US');
INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3574, 'Knowledge and acceptance of genetically modified foodstuffs in Hungary', 'The safety evaluation of genetically modified (GM) foodstuffs is a highlighted research topic. European consumers are cautious with GM plants, their release into the environment and the consumption of GM foods. Technological changes and achievements are more and more difficult to be understood and thought to bring additional risks into consumers’ life. Consumers perceive risks on a different way than experts. This article summarises results of two surveys, carried on between 2003 and 2005. In first survey 556 respondents were involved focusing on food safety than 1000 respondents were involved in the questioning survey intending to reveal consumers’ knowledge and opinion about GM products and techniques. The opinion of consumers and professionals about gene technology is mostly negative as far as 35% of the consumers can recall more negative than positive information about GM foodstuffs and 13% can recall only negative ones. Nevertheless even if Hungarian consumers predominantly refuse GM products this proportion is approximately the same as in Western-Europe. According to 73% of the respondents it is essential to indicate the GM content on the packaging. Consumers are not sufficiently aware of the concept of biotechnology and often misunderstand it. The results reflect the insufficient information level of the Hungarian consumer and the misunderstanding of biotechnology concept.', 'en_US'),
(3575, 'Establishing objective detection limits for the pepsin digestion assay used in the assessment of genetically modified foods', 'RATIONALE: Guidelines for assessing the potential allergenicity of genetically modified (GM) organisms recommend testing the digestibility of the introduced protein by pepsin. Previous studies detailed the digestion procedure but have not described a simple objective measurement of the extent of digestion nor evaluated the impact of variation in pepsin activity. METHODS: Samples of eight proteins were digested by pepsin at pH 1.2 and 2.0 using standard conditions (10,000 U of pepsin activity per mg test protein) as well as 5000 and 20,000 units per mg of test protein. An independent digestion assay of hemoglobin was used to verify pepsin activity for each assay. Digestion was stopped in timed samples between 0.5 and 60 min. Digestion samples and undigested protein (10% and 100%) were separated by SDS-PAGE. Residual stained protein bands were measured by image analysis. RESULTS: The differences in pH and pepsin concentration only had minor effects on digestion of intermediately stable proteins: concanavalin A, ovalbumin, and lysozyme, but not on rapidly digested or stable proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Verification of pepsin activity and measurement of an objective endpoint of digestion (e.g. (90%) should provide more comparable results for the safety assessment of novel food proteins. ', 'en_US'),
(3576, 'Investigating the influence of transgenic tobacco plants codifying a protease inhibitor on soil microbial community', 'Serine protease inhibitors (PIs) are involved in several physiological processes, such as regulation of endogenous proteinases and defence against phytophageous insects. Transgenic modifications have enhanced protease inhibitor expression to develop insect resistant cultivars in several important crops. The fate of protease inhibitors released from genetically engineered plants is an important issue because of possible inhibition of soil proteases and effects of the insecticidal protein and its codifying sequence on soil microorganisms. The persistence of transgenic sequence mustard trypsin inhibitor-2 in soil and its hypothetical acquisition by soil microorganisms by horizontal gene transfer and the effect of transgenic plant material on soil microbial community structure and soil protease activity were investigated. With the aim to simulate the effects of plant litter on soil microorganisms, a microcosm experimental model was used. Despite the persistence of transgenic DNA sequences, no recombination event was detected between plant DNA and soil bacteria; molecular analysis of bacterial community also showed no significant influence on the dominant members of the bacterial community and soil protease activity was not inhibited by the release of constitutively over-expressed protease inhibitor.\r\n\r\n', 'en_US'),
(3577, 'Adoption patterns of herbicide-tolerant soybeans in Argentina.', 'The adoption of herbicide-tolerant soybeans (HTS) in Argentina was a very rapid process, as HTS covered virtually all of the area under soybean cultivation less than 10 years after their introduction in 1996. In our analysis, we focus on the patterns of HTS adoption. Using a survey-based analysis, we compare early and late adopters in the subdivisions of Pergamino and Salto (in the northeast of the Argentinean province of Buenos Aires) with regard to their expectations related to HTS adoption, as well as the characteristics of the farm and farmers. Moreover, we analyze the role of seed companies in the adoption and diffusion processes. This study shows that the expectations of cost reduction and easier crop management were the main drivers for farmers in the adoption of HTS. Furthermore, our results suggest that seed companies played a major role in providing farmers with their first information on HTS and their role has been influential for the farmers’ adoption decisions.', 'en_US'),
(3578, 'Perceived consequences of herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant crops on integrated pest management strategies in the western United States: Results of an online survey.', 'We conducted an online survey to assess the potential effects of herbicide-tolerant (HT) and insect-resistant (IR) crops on integrated pest management (IPM) practices in the Western United States For HT crops, participants perceived a decrease in several IPM practices, including crop and herbicide rotations and the combined use of multiple weed control strategies. The most serious potential consequences were considered to be a shift in weed species composition and development of herbicide-resistant weeds. For IR crops, respondents perceived a beneficial reduction in application of both broad-spectrum and selective insecticides. The most significant issues for IR crops were believed to be potential development of target pest resistance and difficulties with management of insect refuges. The survey results support the need for continued emphasis on comprehensive strategies in IPM education programs to prolong the usefulness of HT and IR crops.', 'en_US'),
(3579, 'Corn amylase: Improving the efficiency and environmental footprint of corn to ethanol through plant biotechnology.', 'Treatment of starch-based grain with an alpha-amylase enzyme is essential to convert available starch to fermentable sugars in the production of ethanol. In an effort to improve the efficiencies of corn-based ethanol production, Syngenta has developed a new variety of corn that expresses alpha-amylase directly in the seed endosperm. This technology represents a novel approach to improving ethanol production in a way that can be integrated smoothly into the existing infrastructure. Between October 2007 and December 2008, Syngenta, in collaboration with Western Plains Energy, LLC, of Oakley, Kansas, conducted a commercial-scale trial of Corn Amylase. The results of this trial confirmed many of the potential benefits identified in laboratory trials, which include significant reductions in the amount of natural gas, electricity, water, and microbial alpha-amylase required to produce a gallon of ethanol. These savings are realized through the unique characteristics of Corn Amylase that enable ethanol producers to increase throughput at the plant without the typical tradeoff of losing conversion yield. Corn Amylase, therefore, will reduce the demand for natural resources, the consumption of fossil fuels, and the emission of greenhouse gases. Corn Amylase will also reduce utility costs at the plant and improve the energy balance (compared to ethanol produced from conventional corn).', 'en_US'),
(3580, 'Impact of intellectual property rights in the seed sector on crop yield growth and social welfare: A case study approach.', 'A case-study approach is used to track research funding decisions made by the private seed sector. The three cases chosen provide a range of intellectual property protection (IPP) environments, crops, and companies, namely, (1) wheat in the United States and the European Union, (2) rootworm-resistant corn, and (3) hybrid tomatoes. The analysis suggests that IPP for US wheat is weak because growers are allowed to save seed and because breeders are responsible for the costs—both transactional and reputational—associated with enforcing those IPP rights that do exist. IPP in processed tomatoes is higher than in wheat because all processing tomatoes are now hybrids. However, the possibility that protected tomato varieties could be asexually reproduced weakens IPP and the incentive for the private sector to fund the basic research that might lead to high-value varieties. IPP in the US corn market is strong, and as a result, the private sector dominates in all aspects of the research process.', 'en_US'),
(3581, 'Bt cotton in India: Development of benefits and the role of government seed price interventions.', 'While previous research has analyzed the impacts of Bt cotton in India, most available studies are based only on one or two years of data. We analyze the technology\\''s performance over the first five years of adoption, using panel data with three rounds of observations. On average, Bt-adopting farmers realize pesticide reductions of roughly 40%, and yield advantages of 30-40%. Profit gains are at a magnitude of US $60 per acre. These benefits have been sustainable over time. Farmers\\'' satisfaction is reflected in a high willingness to pay for Bt seeds. Nonetheless, in 2006 Indian state governments decided to establish price caps at levels much lower than what companies had charged before. This intervention has further increased farmers\\'' profits, but the impact on aggregate Bt adoption was relatively small. Price controls might have negative long-term implications, as they can severely hamper private sector incentives to invest in new technologies.', 'en_US'),
(3582, 'Ex-ante impact assessment of GM papaya adoption in Thailand.', 'Despite the evidence of benefits from GM papaya\\''s adoption in other countries, concerns over the loss of export markets and health and environmental risks have led to great uncertainty and indecision about policies to support biotechnology in Thailand. Since 2001, field trials have been banned and the use of transgenic plants for production, consumption, or commercialization has been prohibited. Field trials in government fields were reinstated in December 2007, but agricultural biotechnology policies remain unclear. This article estimates what the economic impact of the adoption of GM papaya would be if Thailand were to authorize the use of GM technology. We estimate that total economic surplus in the range of $650 million to $1.5 billion USD would be generated within the first 10 years of adoption. These benefits would accrue primarily to small-scale papaya farmers and would accrue even with the loss of export markets.', 'en_US'),
(3583, 'The role of coordination and cooperation in early adoption of GM crops: The case of Bt maize in Brandenburg, Germany.', 'Since 2006, several varieties of transgenic Bt maize have been approved for commercial cultivation in Germany. The German regulatory framework for growing these crops comprises moderate ex-ante regulations as well as strict ex-post liability rules to protect conventional and organic farming from possible economic damages caused by transgenic plants and to ensure coexistence. These regulations, however, impose additional costs on those farmers who intend to plant Bt maize. This article addresses the question of how Bt maize-growing farmers perceive the additional costs of regulation and whether coordination or cooperation takes place in order to diminish these costs. In 2006, the authors carried out a case study in the Oderbruch region (Brandenburg, Germany) comprised of eight Bt maize farms and six adjacent non-Bt maize farms. The case study revealed that the costs arising from ex-ante regulations and ex-post liability were only of minor importance to the Bt maize-growing farmers. The predominantly large farms chose intra-farm coordination to manage the construction of buffer zones within their own fields and to avoid the planting of Bt maize close to their neighbors. Inter-farm coordination or cooperation with adjacent farmers was not regarded as necessary to achieve coexistence.', 'en_US'),
(3584, 'Coping with ex-ante regulations for planting BT maize: The Portuguese experience.', 'This article investigates the attitude and practices of Bt and non-Bt maize farmers in Portugal. Thirty-seven Bt maize farmers were interviewed, representing 22.5% of the total number of Bt maize notifications in the country and 31.5% of the total area planted with Bt maize in 2007. Additionally, 66 non-Bt maize farmers were surveyed in an attempt to investigate their opinion on the Bt technology, its viability, and its future. The most interesting finding is that almost half of all the surveyed maize farmers stated that the ex-ante regulations are rigid and difficult to apply.', 'en_US'),
(3585, 'Biotechnology research in the CGIAR: An overview.', 'The CGIAR is a strategic alliance of members, partners, and 15 international agricultural research centers that mobilizes science to benefit the poor. Agricultural research at the CGIAR Centers entails various technologies, including biotechnology, and the extent to which modern biotechnology is part of the overall research activity differs greatly from center to center. The mode of collaboration between centers and their national counterparts on such research projects also vary. Drawing examples from two in-house surveys as well as from the outcomes of a recent workshop, the article provides a synopsis of current biotech-related activities conducted in the CGIAR Centers and considers what the CGIAR\\''s role(s) might be in ensuring the safe and responsible use of biotechnology for conducting agricultural research that responds to the needs of developing countries.', 'en_US'),
(3586, 'Assessing the performance of GM maize amongst smallholders in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.', 'This study uses data for the 2006/07 maize production season, for the Hlabisa, Dumbe, and Simdlangentsha districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to investigate the relative efficiencies of conventional, insect-resistant (Bt), and herbicide-tolerant (RR) maize grown by small-scale farmers. The article fits a stochastic efficiency frontier using maximum likelihood methods. The results show that both GM technologies have very little impact on efficiency and that the tillage system is an important determinant of efficiency levels. This is despite the fact that farmers who used RR seed had substantially higher yields. Higher expenditure on seed cancels out this gain in the efficiency estimates, and there is every reason to believe that these are the better farmers. Employment effects are also investigated, as the RR technology is intended to be labor saving. The results mostly serve to show how dangerous it is to make any inferences from small sample surveys in one production season.', 'en_US'),
(3587, 'Socio-economic considerations, Article 26.1 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: What are the issues and what is at stake?', 'The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety allows the possibility of including socio-economic considerations in biosafety regulatory approval processes and decision making for genetically modified products. Divergent opinions about the desirability of including socio-economic considerations have polarized the debate. For biosafety approval processes, assessment of socio-economic considerations will likely be before the fact, as the genetically modified product has not reached commercialization approval processes. This implies that there is a limited scope as to methods and approaches for assessments. To ensure that socio-economic assessments will not become an obstacle to the development and transfer of safe and efficacious products to farmers, all stakeholders need to understand clearly all regulations governing inclusion of socio-economic considerations. Furthermore, the decision-making process needs to clearly define decision-making rules and standards by which to guide approval processes.', 'en_US'),
(3588, 'An ex-ante evaluation of the economic impact of Bt cotton adoption by Spanish farmers facing the EU cotton sector reform.', 'Cotton production in the European Union (EU) is limited to areas of Greece and Southern Spain (Andalusia). The 2004 reform of the EU cotton policy severely affected the profitability of the crop. In this article we analyze how the introduction of genetically modified (GM), insect-resistant cotton varieties (Bt cotton) might help EU cotton farmers to increase profitability and therefore face the cotton policy reform. We first study farmers'' attitudes toward adoption of Bt cotton varieties through a survey conducted in Andalusia (Southern Spain). The results show a positive attitude of Andalusian cotton farmers toward the Bt cotton varieties. Second, we perform an ex-ante analysis of the effects of introducing Bt cotton in Andalusia. Finally, we integrate the analysis of the effects of Bt cotton with the analysis of the EU cotton reform. Our results show that despite the significant economic benefits of Bt cotton, the current policy reform is likely to jeopardize the profitability of cotton production in the EU.', 'en_US'),
(3589, 'Does biotech labeling affect consumers'' purchasing decisions? A case study of vegetable oils in Nanjing, China.', 'This study analyzes whether biotech labeling has an impact on consumers'' purchasing behavior in China using vegetable oils in Nanjing as a case study. An Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS), which encompasses expenditure shares of individual edible oils, is developed and estimated by seemingly unrelated regression with theoretical constraints. The AIDS model is augmented by the top-level demand for all edible oils in the context of a two-stage budgeting approach. Results from the model based on retail scanning data suggest that biotech labeling induced only a modest switch in vegetable oils consumption away from labeled soybean and blended oils and toward non-biotech vegetable oils.', 'en_US'),
(3590, 'Performance of tissue-cultured sweet potatoes among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe.', 'Tissue culture has the potential of improving the livelihoods of subsistence farmers that largely rely on vegetatively propagated crops. This study assesses the impact of growing tissue-cultured sweet potatoes on yields and economic profitability among smallholder farmers in the Hwedza District of Zimbabwe. A sample of 133 smallholder farmers was chosen using a multi-stage sampling process. Primary data was collected using structured and semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and direct-yield measurements. The results of the study showed that yields were 0.5 and 1.8 tons per hectare for households using unimproved and tissue-cultured sweet potatoes, respectively. The net economic return for tissue-cultured sweet potatoes was Z$3,605,000 (US$36.05) per hectare while a net loss of Z$9,157,500 (US$91.58) per hectare was observed for unimproved sweet potatoes. Farmers were also constrained by an inadequate supply of improved planting material. These findings suggest the need to increase the supply of tissue-cultured planting materials and to consolidate farmer knowledge on vegetative propagation in local community tissue culture laboratories. This will enhance the role of tissue culturing sweet potatoes in the attainment of household food security.', 'en_US'),
(3591, 'Current contribution of four biotechnologies to New Zealand’s primary sector.', 'This article presents research estimating the economic contribution made by the uptake of biotechnology in the primary sector of New Zealand. It focuses on the impact of four biotechnologies: clonal propagation/cell manipulation, bio-control agents, enzyme manipulations, and marker-assisted selection. Interviews with 59 key informants and secondary economic data were incorporated into a cost-benefit analysis to produce an estimated overall net impact of NZ$266 million per annum. This impact is spread unevenly through the primary sector and across biotechnologies.', 'en_US'),
(3592, 'The economic impacts of introducing Bt technology in smallholder cotton production systems of West Africa: A case study from Mali.', 'Africa has been slow to respond to biotechnology even as its pest management grows increasingly obsolete and insects remain a major adversary of its farming. Opponents of biotechnology cite concerns over the scientific boundaries and potential North-South domination that transgenic crops could bring. This paper reports on the positive aspects of introducing biotechnology in Africa. An economic model was developed to predict the economic impacts to consumers and producers from the introduction of Bt crops in the smallholder cotton farms of Mali. Since farmers rotate cotton and maize in three-year rotations, the analysis considered the introduction of both Bt cotton and Bt maize. Results from an economic model indicate that the potential economic impacts to West African consumers and producers would be significant, potentially reaching $89 million in an average year. For Bt cotton, the benefits would primarily accrue to producers. At a technology premium of $60 per hectare, where seed company revenue is maximized, Malian producer would capture 74% of the benefits and the seed company would capture the other 26%. The model found that the adoption of Bt maize was weaker than Bt cotton. If Malian maize producers were charged the same technology premium as South African producers, the model found that adoption would be less than 10%. The introduction of Bt maize in the region is likely to require complementary changes in maize markets and technology in order to boost profitability.', 'en_US'),
(3593, 'The long-run impact of corn-based ethanol on the grain, oilseed, and livestock sectors with implications for biotech crops.', 'The ongoing growth of corn–based ethanol production raises some fundamental questions about what impact continued growth will have on US and world agriculture. Estimates of the long–run potential for ethanol production can be made by calculating the corn price at which the incentive to expand ethanol production disappears. Under current ethanol tax policy, if the prices of crude oil, natural gas and distillers grains stay at current levels, then the break–even corn price is $4.05 per bushel. A multi–commodity, multi–country system of integrated commodity models is used to estimate the impacts if we ever get to $4.05 corn. At this price, corn–based ethanol production would reach 31.5 billion gallons per year. Supporting this level of production would require 95.6 million acres of corn to be planted. Total corn production would be approximately 15.6 billion bushels, compared to 11.0 billion bushels today. Most of the additional corn acres come from reduced soybean acreage. The demand for biotech corn varieties that allow for continuous corn production would increase dramatically as would the demand for corn, soybean, and wheat varieties that can be grown in marginal areas.', 'en_US'),
(3594, 'The cost of product development of Bt corn event MON810 in the Philippines.', 'The estimated total cost of developing Bt corn MON810 in the Philippines is $2.6 million (128 million Philippine pesos) at 2004 discounted prices. This includes the entire process of product development, from concept initiation done in the US in 1985 to implementation of post–commercial approval requirements in 2004. Lindahl pricing was employed to allocate the share of total relevant cost incurred in the US to the Philippines. Costs were converted into corresponding 2004–year equivalents and capitalized using literature–recommended values to reflect base–year real monetary value. The biggest costs were incurred in the conduct of post–commercial application activities followed by the 17 multi–location field trials across the country. Project spending was highest in 2002 when field trials and supporting studies were being completed and the product stewardship plan was being developed. The study discovered that two–thirds of total cost went into activities conducted in compliance and support of government regulatory requirements.', 'en_US'),
(3595, 'Bt cotton adoption in the United States and China: international trade and welfare effects.', 'Many studies report that Bt cotton has led to significant yield gains, reduced insecticide use, or both in different countries. With rare exception, these studies examine adoption in one region in isolation from adoption in others. This article summarizes the global impacts of Bt cotton adoption in the United States and China based on results from a three-region model of the world cotton market. In 2001, adoption of Bt cot-ton in China and the United States increased world cotton production by 0.7% and reduced the world cotton price by 1.4 cents per pound. Global economic benefits were $836 million. Consumer surplus increased $63 million. Chinese producers gained by $428 million and US producers by $179 million. The fall in world price reduced rest-of-world (ROW) producer surplus by $349 million. Net rest-of-world benefits were $69 million, however, because purchaser gains outweighed producer losses.', 'en_US'),
(3596, 'Who adopts what kind of technologies? The case of Bt eggplant in India.', 'The public-private partnership involved in the development of Bt eggplant in India is unique in the context of developing countries, where poor farmers'' access to technology is limited. The key questions arising in this context are: Who adopts what kind of technology? What are the factors influencing their decisions? We answer these questions using data from a farm-level survey conducted in Maharashtra, India. Our results indicate that factors influencing hybrid adoption exert similar effects on the expected adoption of Bt hybrid eggplant and opposite effects on the decision to adopt Bt open-pollinated varieties (OPV). Even though some farmers who decided to grow Bt hybrid eggplant might switch to Bt OPVs when available, most of the early adopters of Bt hybrid would continue to grow Bt hybrid eggplant. Thus, our study gives initial empirical evidence on the economic feasibility of the public-private partnership in the research and development of Bt eggplant in India.', 'en_US'),
(3597, 'Potential regional trade implications of adopting Bt cowpea in west and central Africa.', 'This paper used a spatial and temporal price equilibrium model to assess the potential impacts of farmers in West and Central Africa adopting Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). The results showed that regional cowpea prices would decrease, leading to increased regional demand and increased supply only in adopting countries. Total cowpea traded and regional welfare would increase, but producers in nonadopting countries would lose. The results thus emphasize regional adoption of any Bt cowpea and suggest that policy makers devise ways of ensuring equitable distribution of benefits.', 'en_US'),
(3598, 'Mobilizing science and technology for development: The case of the Cassava Biotechnology Network (CBN).', 'Cassava is regarded as the crop of last resort for millions of marginal farmers and their domestic animals in tropical regions. The Cassava Biotechnology Network (CBN) is addressing the major socioeconomic and agronomic challenges of this orphan crop by bundling the scarce resources available and uniting the major stakeholders involved in cassava breeding, production, marketing, and consumption worldwide. Based on a small expert survey, this article investigates the importance of the problems in cassava agriculture and the approaches considered to be most effective in addressing them. The author concludes that the CBN represents an innovative, demand-oriented and multistakeholder-driven crop research network that is able to effectively address the challenges in cassava agriculture that were perceived to be most important in the survey. Its innovations could be of particular benefit to Central Africa—a region that is highly vulnerable to starvation and malnutrition and relies mostly on cassava as the main staple food. However, in order to make it happen, some major institutional bottlenecks need to be addressed in the international agricultural research system.', 'en_US'),
(3599, 'Three seasons of subsistence insect-resistant maize in South Africa: Have smallholders benefited?', 'White maize is the staple food of the majority of the South African population. We examine if smallholder farmers that adopted insect-resistant (Bt) varieties of white maize benefited from planting Bt over the last three seasons. Commercial farmers are known to benefit from planting Bt maize in high stalk borer or corn borer infestation years, but when planted in locations or years when stalk borers are not a problem, Bt will usually not be profitable because of higher seed costs. In the first two production seasons, small farmers enjoyed higher yields with Bt maize than with conventional hybrid varieties despite lower-than-normal (yet still significant) stalk borer pressure and less-than-ideal maize production conditions. Yield is expressed according to grain per kilogram of seed planted, as seeding rates per land area differ drastically between small-scale farmers. The value of the yield benefit depended on how the farmer utilized the additional grain, with the highest valued use being home grinding and consumption substituting for more expensive store purchases. In the third season, which was also the fourth consecutive drier-than-usual season, the stalk borer infestation level was very low, and farmers who planted Bt maize had yields similar to farmers who planted conventional hybrids.', 'en_US'),
(3600, 'Will agbiotech applications reach marginalized farmers? Evidence from developing countries.', 'Findings from two studies on agricultural research indicate that although developing countries invest in agricultural biotechnology and genetically modified crop research, their policy and investment environments inhibit the contribution of such research to agricultural development and poverty reduction. Findings suggest that valuable private-sector resources are not being brought to bear on the development challenge, thus slowing the pace of innovation. For such research to benefit developing countries, greater effort is needed to enhance the international exchange of safety and efficacy information, remove the isolation of public research institutions, and overcome barriers to public-private research collaboration.', 'en_US'),
(3601, 'Spillovers and crowding effects in a mixed biotech industry: The case of canola.', 'This paper develops empirical models to estimate both interfirm research spillovers and crowding effects in the canola crop research industry. The potential sources of spillover include basic research, human capital/knowledge (as measured through other-firm expenditures), and genetics (as measured through yields of other firms). The model used to examine spillover effects on research productivity provides evidence that there are many positive interfirm nonpecuniary research spillovers, which is consistent with a research clustering effect. The second model, which uses additional data on firm revenue to estimate crowding effects, shows that although private firms tend to crowd one another, public-firm expenditure on basic and applied research creates a &quot;crowding-in&quot; effect for private firms. This model also shows that enhanced intellectual property rights have increased the revenues of private firms.', 'en_US'),
(3602, 'Regulation of the seasonal population patterns of Helicoverpa armigera moths by Bt cotton planting.', 'Transgenic cotton expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac toxin has been commercially cultivated in China since 1997, and by 2000 Bt cotton had almost completely replaced non-transgenic cotton cultivars. To evaluate the impact of Bt cotton planting on the seasonal population patterns of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, the dynamics of H. armigera moths were monitored with light traps from four locations (Xiajin, Linqing and Dingtao of Shandong Province; Guantao of Hebei Province) in high Bt density region and five locations (Anci and Xinji of Hebei Province; Dancheng and Fengqiu of Henan Province; Gaomi of Shandong Province) in low Bt density region from 1996 to 2008. A negative correlation was found between moth densities of H. armigera and the planting years of Bt cotton in both high and low Bt density areas. These data indicate that the moth population density of H. armigera was reduced with the introduction of Bt cotton in northern China. Three generations of moths occurred between early June and late September in the cotton regions. Interestingly, second-generation moths decreased and seemed to vanish in recent years in high Bt density region, but this tendency was not found in low Bt density region. The data suggest that the planting of Bt cotton in high Bt density region was effective in controlling the population density of second-generation moths. Furthermore, the seasonal change of moth patterns associated with Bt cotton planting may regulate the regional occurrence and population development of this migratory insect.', 'en_US'),
(3603, 'Environmental risk assessments for transgenic crops producing output trait enzymes.', 'The environmental risks from cultivating crops producing output trait enzymes can be rigorously assessed by testing conservative risk hypotheses of no harm to endpoints such as the abundance of wildlife, crop yield and the rate of degradation of crop residues in soil. These hypotheses can be tested with data from many sources, including evaluations of the agronomic performance and nutritional quality of the crop made during product development, and information from the scientific literature on the mode-of-action, taxonomic distribution and environmental fate of the enzyme. Few, if any, specific ecotoxicology or environmental fate studies are needed. The effective use of existing data means that regulatory decision-making, to which an environmental risk assessment provides essential information, is not unnecessarily complicated by evaluation of large amounts of new data that provide negligible improvement in the characterization of risk, and that may delay environmental benefits offered by transgenic crops containing output trait enzymes.', 'en_US'),
(3604, 'Degradation of Cry1Ab protein from genetically modified maize (MON810) in relation to total dietary feed proteins in dairy cow digestion.', 'To investigate the relative degradation and fragmentation pattern of the recombinant Cry1Ab protein from genetically modified (GM) maize MON810 throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of dairy cows, a 25 months GM maize feeding study was conducted on 36 lactating Bavarian Fleckvieh cows allocated into two groups (18 cows per group) fed diets containing either GM maize MON810 or nearly isogenic non-GM maize as the respective diet components. All cows were fed a partial total mixed ration (pTMR). During the feeding trial, 8 feed (4 transgenic (T) and 4 non-transgenic (NT) pTMR) and 42 feces (26 T and 18 NT) samples from the subset of cows fed T and NT diets, and at the end of the feeding trial, digesta contents of rumen, abomasum, small intestine, large intestine and cecum were collected after the slaughter of six cows of each feeding group. Samples were analyzed for Cry1Ab protein and total protein using Cry1Ab specific ELISA and bicinchoninic acid assay, respectively. Immunoblot analyses were performed to evaluate the integrity of Cry1Ab protein in feed, digesta and feces samples. A decrease to 44% in Cry1Ab protein concentration from T pTMR to the voided feces (9.40 versus 4.18 &amp;#956;g/g of total proteins) was recorded. Concentrations of Cry1Ab protein in GIT digesta of cows fed T diets varied between the lowest 0.38 &amp;#956;g/g of total proteins in abomasum to the highest 3.84 &amp;#956;g/g of total proteins in rumen. Immunoblot analysis revealed the extensive degradation of recombinant Cry1Ab protein into a smaller fragment of around 34 kDa in GIT. The results of the present study indicate that the recombinant Cry1Ab protein from MON810 is increasingly degraded into a small fragment during dairy cow digestion.', 'en_US'),
(3605, '“Transgenesis, recent technical developments and applications” Nantes, 8th June 2009.', '', 'en_US'),
(3606, 'Critical evaluation of strategies for mineral fortification of staple food crops.', 'Staple food crops, in particular cereal grains, are poor sources of key mineral nutrients. As a result, the world’s poorest people, generally those subsisting on a monotonous cereal diet, are also those most vulnerable to mineral deficiency diseases. Various strategies have been proposed to deal with micronutrient deficiencies including the provision of mineral supplements, the fortification of processed food, the biofortification of crop plants at source with mineral-rich fertilizers and the implementation of breeding programs and genetic engineering approaches to generate mineral-rich varieties of staple crops. This review provides a critical comparison of the strategies that have been developed to address deficiencies in five key mineral nutrients—iodine, iron, zinc, calcium and selenium—and discusses the most recent advances in genetic engineering to increase mineral levels and bioavailability in our most important staple food crops.', 'en_US'),
(3607, 'Optimisation of contained Nicotiana tabacum cultivation for the production of recombinant protein pharmaceuticals.', 'Nicotiana tabacum is emerging as a crop of choice for production of recombinant protein pharmaceuticals. Although there is significant commercial expertise in tobacco farming, different cultivation practices are likely to be needed when the objective is to optimise protein expression, yield and extraction, rather than the traditional focus on biomass and alkaloid production. Moreover, pharmaceutical transgenic tobacco plants are likely to be grown initially within a controlled environment, the parameters for which have yet to be established. Here, the growth characteristics and functional recombinant protein yields for two separate transgenic tobacco plant lines were investigated. The impacts of temperature, day-length, compost nitrogen content, radiation and plant density were examined. Temperature was the only environmental variable to affect IgG concentration in the plants, with higher yields observed in plants grown at lower temperature. In contrast, temperature, supplementary radiation and plant density all affected the total soluble protein yield in the same plants. Transgenic plants expressing a second recombinant protein (cyanovirin-N) responded differently to IgG transgenic plants to elevated temperature, with an increase in cyanovirin-N concentration, although the effect of the environmental variables on total soluble protein yields was the same as the IgG plants. Planting density and radiation levels were important factors affecting variability of the two recombinant protein yields in transgenic plants. Phenotypic differences were observed between the two transgenic plant lines and non-transformed N. tabacum, but the effect of different growing conditions was consistent between the three lines. Temperature, day length, radiation intensity and planting density all had a significant impact on biomass production. Taken together, the data suggest that recombinant protein yield is not affected substantially by environmental factors other than growth temperature. Overall productivity is therefore correlated to biomass production, although other factors such as purification burden, extractability protein stability and quality also need to be considered in the optimal design of cultivation conditions.', 'en_US'),
(3608, 'Comparison between volatile emissions from transgenic apples and from two representative classically bred apple cultivars.', 'While most risk assessments contrast a transgenic resistant to its isogenic line, an additional comparison between the transgenic line and a classically bred cultivar with the same resistance gene would be highly desirable. Our approach was to compare headspace volatiles of transgenic scab resistant apple plants with two representative cultivars (the isogenic ‘Gala’ and the scab resistance gene-containing ‘Florina’). As modifications in volatile profiles have been shown to alter plant relationships with non-target insects, we analysed headspace volatiles from apple plants subjected to different infection types by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Marked differences were found between healthy and leafminer (Phyllonorycter blancardella) infested genotypes, where emissions between the transgenic scab resistant line and the two cultivars differed quantitatively in four terpenes and an aromatic compound. However, these modified odour emissions were in the range of variability of the emissions recorded for the two standard cultivars that proved to be crucial references.', 'en_US'),
(3609, 'Enhanced single copy integration events in corn via particle bombardment using low quantities of DNA.', 'Transgene copy number is an important criterion for determining the utility of transgenic events. Single copy integration events are highly desirable when the objective is to produce marker free plants through segregation or when it is necessary to introgress different transgenes into commercial cultivars from different transgenic events. In contrast multi-copy events are advocated by several authors for higher expression of the transgene. Till recently, it was thought that employment of the particle gun for transformation results in the production of a high proportion of multi-copy events often with complex integration pattern when compared to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. However, it has been demonstrated that usage of cassette DNA for bombardment in place of whole plasmids would result in simple insertion pattern of the transgenes. While investigating the effect of varying the cassette DNA amount on stable transformation, the frequency of occurrence of low copy events was observed to increase when lower doses of cassette DNA was employed for bombardment. Large scale experimentation with rigorous statistical analysis performed to verify the above observations employing Helium gun and the Electric discharge gun for gene delivery confirmed the above observations. Helium gun experiments involving production of more than 1,600 corn events consistently yielded single copy events at higher frequencies at lower cassette DNA load (46% at 2.5 ng/shot) as compared to higher cassette DNA load (29% at 25 ng/shot) across 18 independent experiments. Results were nearly identical with the Electric discharge particle gun device where single copy events were recovered at frequencies of 54% at 2.5 ng cassettes DNA per shot as compared to 18% at 25 ng cassette DNA per shot. The transformation frequency declined from 41 to 34% (Helium gun) and from 48 to 31% (Electric discharge gun) with reduction in cassette DNA quantity from 25 to 2.5 ng per shot. This reduction in the transformation frequency is more than compensated by the savings in time and effort involved in the production and screening of events if the desired outcome is single copy events. These results demonstrate the flexibility of the particle gun method for controlling the frequency of production of either low copy or high copy events by altering the quantity of cassette DNA used for bombardment. The transgene expression levels over generations in relation to its integration need further investigations.', 'en_US'),
(3610, 'Low crop plant population densities promote pollen-mediated gene flow in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).', 'Transgenic wheat is currently being field tested with the intent of eventual commercialization. The development of wheat genotypes with novel traits has raised concerns regarding the presence of volunteer wheat populations and the role they may play in facilitating transgene movement. Here, we report the results of a field experiment that investigated the potential of spring wheat plant population density and crop height to minimize gene flow from a herbicide-resistant (HR) volunteer population to a non-HR crop. Pollen-mediated gene flow (PMGF) between the HR volunteer wheat population and four conventional spring wheat genotypes varying in height was assessed over a range of plant population densities. Natural hybridization events between the two cultivars were detected by phenotypically scoring plants in F1 populations followed by verification with Mendelian segregation ratios in the F1:2 families. PMGF was strongly associated with crop yield components, but showed no association with flowering synchrony. Maximum observed PMGF was always less than 0.6%, regardless of crop height and density. The frequency of PMGF in spring wheat decreased exponentially with increasing plant population density, but showed no dependence on either crop genotype or height. However, increasing plant densities beyond the recommended planting rate of 300 cropped wheat plants m&#8722;2 provided no obvious benefit to reducing PMGF. Nevertheless, our results demonstrate a critical plant density of 175–200 cropped wheat plants m&#8722;2 below which PMGF frequencies rise exponentially with decreasing plant density. These results will be useful in the development of mechanistic models and best management practices that collectively facilitate the coexistence of transgenic and nontransgenic wheat crops.', 'en_US'),
(3611, 'Safety assessment of leaf curl virus resistant tomato developed using viral derived sequences.', 'Genetic engineering of food crops has significantly influenced the agricultural productivity over the past two decades. It has proved a valuable tool, offering crops with higher yields, improved nutritional quality, resistance against pesticides, herbicides and tolerance against abiotic stresses. However, the safety assessment of genetically engineered (GE) crops is prerequisite before introduction into human food chain. The present study was aimed to assess the toxicity and allergenicity of leaf curl virus resistant GE tomato compared to its wild-type species. Balb/c mice fed with genetically engineered or wild-type tomato did not show significant differences in growth, body weight (P &gt; 0.05) and food consumption when compared with control mice. Values for serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, urea and cholesterol were comparable in GE and wild-type tomato fed mice. Mice immunized with GE or wild-type tomato extract showed low IgE response. Lung histology of ovalbumin fed mice showed bronchoconstriction with eosinophilic infiltration whereas GE or wild-type tomato showed no cellular infiltration with normal airways. Genetically engineered and wild-type tomato sensitized mice demonstrated similar IL-4 release in splenic cell culture supernatant. GE and wild tomato extract on ELISA showed comparable IgE binding (P &gt; 0.05) with food allergic patients’ sera. In conclusion, genetically engineered tomato showed no toxicity in mice and allergenicity is similar to the wild-type tomato.', 'en_US');
INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3612, 'Transgene-specific and event-specific molecular markers for characterization of transgenic papaya lines resistant to Papaya ringspot virus.', 'The commercially valuable transgenic papaya lines carrying the coat protein (CP) gene of Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and conferring virus resistance have been developed in Hawaii and Taiwan in the past decade. Prompt and sensitive protocols for transgene-specific and event-specific detections are essential for traceability of these lines to fulfill regulatory requirement in EU and some Asian countries. Here, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approaches, we demonstrated different detection protocols for characterization of PRSV CP-transgenic papaya lines. Transgene-specific products were amplified using different specific primer pairs targeting the sequences of the promoter, the terminator, the selection marker, and the transgene, and the region across the promoter and transgene. Moreover, after cloning and sequencing the DNA fragments amplified by adaptor ligation-PCR, the junctions between plant genomic DNA and the T-DNA insert were elucidated. The event-specific method targeting the flanking sequences and the transgene was developed for identification of a specific transgenic line. The PCR patterns using primers designed from the left or the right flanking DNA sequence of the transgene insert in three selected transgenic papaya lines were specific and reproducible. Our results also verified that PRSV CP transgene is integrated into transgenic papaya genome in different loci. The copy number of inserted T-DNA was further confirmed by real-time PCR. The event-specific molecular markers developed in this investigation are crucial for regulatory requirement in some countries and intellectual protection. Also, these markers are helpful for prompt screening of a homozygote-transgenic progeny in the breeding program.', 'en_US'),
(3613, 'Gene transferability from transgenic Brassica napus L. to various subspecies and varieties of Brassica rapa.', 'Gene transferability from transgenic rapeseed to various subspecies and varieties of Brassica rapa was assessed in this study. Artificial crossability was studied in 118 cultivars of 7 B. rapa subspecies and varieties with the transgenic rapeseed GT73 (Brassica napus) as the pollen donor. On average 5.7 seeds were obtained per pollination, with a range from 0.05 to 19.4. The heading type of B. rapa L. showed significantly higher crossability than non-heading types of B. rapa. The spontaneous outcrossing rate between B. rapa (female) and the transgenic rapeseed Ms8 × Rf3 (B. napus) (male) ranged from 0.039 to 0.406%, with an average of 0.19%. The fertilization process and the development of the hybrid seeds as shown by fluorescent staining techniques indicated that the number of adhered pollens on the stigma was reduced by 80%, the number of pollen tubes in the style was reduced by 2/3 and the fertilization time was delayed by over 20 h when pollinated with the transgenic rapeseed Ms8 × Rf3 in comparison with the bud self-pollination of B. rapa as control. About 10–70% of the interspecific hybrid embryos were aborted in the course of development. Some seeds looked cracked in mature pods, which showed germination abilities lower than 10%. The spontaneous outcrossing rates were much lower than the artificial crossability, and their survival fitness of the interspecific hybrid was very low, indicating that it should be possible to keep the adventitious presence of the off-plants under the allowed threshold, if proper measures are taken.', 'en_US'),
(3614, 'The effect of root exudates from two transgenic insect-resistant cotton lines on the growth of Fusarium oxysporum.', 'The attenuation of disease resistance in transgenic insect-resistant cotton has become one of the important factors restricting cotton production in China. Two transgenic insect-resistant cotton lines and their parental conventional cotton lines were used as the testing materials. The effects of root exudates of these cotton lines on the spore germination and mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum were studied and the components, contents of amino acids and sugars were determined. The results showed that the resistance of the two insect-resistant cotton lines to F. oxysporum was inferior to the parental lines, and that their root exudates promoted fungal spore germination and mycelial growth. Considerable differences in the components and contents of both, amino acids and sugars were found between the root exudates of transgenic cotton lines and their parental lines, where the disease indices were highly correlated with the total amount of sugars in the root exudates.', 'en_US'),
(3615, 'Gene expression profiles of MON810 and comparable non-GM maize varieties cultured in the field are more similar than are those of conventional lines.', 'Maize is a major food crop and genetically modified (GM) varieties represented 24% of the global production in 2007. Authorized GM organisms have been tested for human and environmental safety. We previously used microarrays to compare the transcriptome profiles of widely used commercial MON810 versus near-isogenic varieties and reported differential expression of a small set of sequences in leaves of in vitro cultured plants of AristisBt/Aristis and PR33P67/PR33P66 (Coll et al. 2008). Here we further assessed the significance of these differential expression patterns in plants grown in a real context, i.e. in the field. Most sequences that were differentially expressed in plants cultured in vitro had the same expression values in MON810 and comparable varieties when grown in the field; and no sequence was found to be differentially regulated in the two variety pairs grown in the field. The differential expression patterns observed between in vitro and field culture were similar between MON810 and comparable varieties, with higher divergence between the two conventional varieties. This further indicates that MON810 and comparable non-GM varieties are equivalent except for the introduced character.', 'en_US'),
(3616, 'Testing coexistence and genetic containment for an autogamous crop.', 'Is there any risk that the threshold for admixture of genetically modified seeds in the harvest of a conventional cultivar, 0.9% in Europe, will be exceeded in the case of inbreeder crops? Using herbicide-resistant foxtail millet, Setaria italica, as a model of a preferentially autogamous crop, such as wheat and rice, field experiments show that genotype admixture due to pollen flow between adjacent fields is about 0.03% on average for the 10 adjacent meters, and 10 times less in the next 20-m lane. In the case of a maternally inherited resistance gene, the admixture rate is at least 100 times lower. Recessive herbicide resistance has also been tested but would be efficient only if the agreed coexistence rules were based on phenotype detection.', 'en_US'),
(3617, 'Extensive homologous recombination between introduced and native regulatory plastid DNA elements in transplastomic plants.', 'Homologous recombination within plastids directs plastid genome transformation for foreign gene expression and study of plastid gene function. Though transgenes are generally efficiently targeted to their desired insertion site, unintended homologous recombination events have been observed during plastid transformation. To understand the nature and abundance of these recombination events, we analyzed transplastomic tobacco lines derived from three different plastid transformation vectors utilizing two different loci for foreign gene insertion. Two unintended recombinant plastid DNA species were formed from each regulatory plastid DNA element included in the transformation vector. Some of these recombinant DNA species accumulated to as much as 10–60% of the amount of the desired integrated transgenic sequence in T0 plants. Some of the recombinant DNA species undergo further, “secondary” recombination events, resulting in an even greater number of recombinant plastid DNA species. The abundance of novel recombinant DNA species was higher in T0 plants than in T1 progeny, indicating that the ancillary recombination events described here may have the greatest impact during selection and regeneration of transformants. A line of transplastomic tobacco was identified containing an antibiotic resistance gene unlinked from the intended transgene insertion as a result of an unintended recombination event, indicating that the homologous recombination events described here may hinder efficient recovery of plastid transformants containing the desired transgene.', 'en_US'),
(3618, 'Effect of volunteers on maize gene flow.', 'Regulatory approvals for deliberate release of GM maize events into the environment have lead to real situations of coexistence between GM and non-GM, with some fields being cultivated with GM and conventional varieties in successive seasons. Given the common presence of volunteer plants in maize fields in temperate areas, we investigated the real impact of GM volunteers on the yield of 12 non-GM agricultural fields. Volunteer density varied from residual to around 10% of plants in the field and was largely reduced using certain cultural practices. Plant vigour was low, they rarely had cobs and produced pollen that cross-fertilized neighbour plants only at low—but variable—levels. In the worst-case scenario, the estimated content of GMO was 0.16%. The influence of GM volunteers was not enough to reach the 0.9% adventitious GM threshold but it could potentially contribute to adventitious GM levels, especially at high initial densities (i.e. above 1,000 volunteers/ha).', 'en_US'),
(3619, 'Generation of selectable marker-free transgenic tomato resistant to drought, cold and oxidative stress using the Cre/loxP DNA excision system.', 'The aim of this research was to generate selectable marker-free transgenic tomato plants with improved tolerance to abiotic stress. An estradiol-induced site-specific DNA excision of a selectable marker gene using the Cre/loxP DNA recombination system was employed to develop transgenic tomato constitutively expressing AtIpk2&amp;#946;, an inositol polyphosphate 6-/3-kinase gene from Arabidopsis thaliana. Transgenic tomato plants containing a selectable marker were also produced as controls. The expression of AtIpk2&amp;#946; conferred improved resistance to drought, cold and oxidative stress in both sets of transgenic tomato plants. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using this Cre/loxP-based marker elimination strategy to generate marker-free transgenic crops with improved stress tolerance.', 'en_US'),
(3620, 'Assessment of gene flow from a herbicide-resistant indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) to the Costa Rican weedy rice (Oryza sativa) in Tropical America: factors affecting hybridization rates and characterization of F1 hybrids.', 'Herbicide-resistant rice cultivars allow selective weed control. A glufosinate indica rice has been developed locally. However, there is concern about weedy rice becoming herbicide resistant through gene flow. Therefore, assessment of gene flow from indica rice cultivars to weedy rice is crucial in Tropical America. A field trial mimicking crop–weed growing patterns was established to assess the rate of hybridization between a Costa Rican glufosinate-resistant rice line (PPT-R) and 58 weedy rice accessions belonging to six weedy rice morphotypes. The effects of overlapping anthesis, morphotype, weedy accession/PPT-R percentage, and the particular weedy accession on hybridization rates were evaluated. Weedy rice accessions with short overlapping anthesis (4–9 days) had lower average hybridization rates (0.1%) than long anthesis overlapping (10–14 days) accessions (0.3%). Hybridization also varied according to weedy rice morphotype and accession. Sativa-like morphotypes (WM-020, WM-120) hybridized more readily than intermediate (WM-023, WM-073, WM-121) and rufipogon-like (WM-329) morphotypes. No hybrids were identified in 11 of the 58 accessions analyzed, 21 accessions had hybridization rates from 0.01% to 0.09%, 21 had rates from 0.1% to 0.9%, and 5 had frequencies from 1% to 2.3%. Another field trial was established to compare the weedy rice-PPT-R F1 hybrids with their parental lines under noncompetitive conditions. F1 hybrids had a greater phenotypic variation. They had positive heterosis for vegetative trait and reproductive potential (number of spikelets and panicle length) traits, but negative heterosis for seed set. This study demonstrated the complexity of factors affecting hybridization rates in Tropical America and suggested that the phenotype of F1 hybrids facilitate their identification in the rice fields.', 'en_US'),
(3621, 'Field trials to evaluate effects of Bt-transgenic silage corn expressing the Cry1Ab insecticidal toxin on non-target soil arthropods in northern New England, USA.', 'Traditionally, control of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) Hübner has been achieved through the use of chemical insecticides. With increasing emphasis on reducing pesticide inputs in agricultural production, alternative management technologies are now being used including transgenic silage corn modified to express Cry1Ab protein toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Berliner. The Cry1Ab toxin is expressed by all plant cells and throughout the growing season. Furthermore, the toxins are exuded from corn plant roots into the rhizosphere, raising concerns over possible side-effects on non-target beneficial organisms in the same habitat. In addition, detrivores are exposed to crop residues containing the toxin when incorporated into the soil. The current 2-year study (2003, 2004) evaluated effects of two silage-corn varieties: Pioneer var. 38A25 (Bt-corn expressing the Cry1Ab toxin) and Pioneer var. 38A24 (parent isoline) on species diversity and evenness of carabid beetles and Collembola. Pitfall traps were used to collect surface-dwelling species on a bimonthly schedule from April to October. Soil cores were taken once a month from April to October to sample subterranean species, which were extracted using Berlese funnels. All individuals were recorded and identified where possible to species level for analysis in the Simpson’s D and Shannon–Wiener H’ diversity indices. Evenness was measured using Simpson’s E’, after which dominant species were analyzed in a multivariate ordination analysis. Results showed Bt-corn had no negative effects on any of the organisms analyzed. There was a significant year effect on the abundance of surface-dwelling Collembola and on species diversity of soil-dwelling Collembola. Our findings suggest that crop management practices and/or environmental conditions (e.g., heavy rainfall during the 2004 growing season) had the greatest impact on species diversity and evenness, rather than the crop itself (Bt or isoline).', 'en_US'),
(3622, 'Impact of Bt-corn MON88017 in comparison to three conventional lines on Trigonotylus caelestialium (Kirkaldy) (Heteroptera: Miridae) field densities.', 'In Europe, Bt-corn resistant against the European Corn Borer has until now been the only genetically modified plant to be grown commercially. With the advent of the Western Corn Rootworm Bt-corn varieties with resistance against Coleoptera will become important. The cultivation of Bt-plants may have negative impacts on non-target organisms, i.e. all species not explicitly targeted by a given Bt-crop. One prominent non-target group in corn are the herbivorous plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae). They are common, abundant and exposed to the Cry-protein. We therefore assessed the potential impact of the cultivation of the Cry3Bb1-expressing Bt-corn variety MON88017 and three conventional varieties on this group. Trigonotylus caelestialium (Kirkaldy) was the most abundant plant bug at the experimental field. There was no evidence for a negative impact of MON88017 on this species, despite its considerable exposure to Cry3Bb1 demonstrated with ELISA. The conventional corn varieties, however, had a consistent and significant influence on the field densities of this species over all three growing seasons.', 'en_US'),
(3623, 'Ingestion and excretion of two transgenic Bt corn varieties by slugs.', 'The release of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn expressing various Cry endotoxins has raised concern that these endotoxins are disseminated in the food web and may adversely affect non-target beneficial organisms, such as predators and organisms of the decomposer food web. We therefore investigated in a laboratory study, whether the Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 protein from Bt corn could potentially be transferred to such organisms by measuring the Cry protein content in the two common agricultural slug pests Arion lusitanicus and Deroceras reticulatum and their feces. We measured Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 protein concentration in leaves, intestines, and feces of corn leaf-fed slugs using ELISA and determined how much of the ingested protein is excreted by the slugs. Cry3Bb1 concentration in leaves of DKC5143Bt corn was significantly higher than Cry1Ab concentration in leaves of N4640Bt corn. While slugs were feeding on corn leaves, the Cry3Bb1 and Cry1Ab proteins were found in intestines and feces of both slug species. Bt protein concentrations in intestines of Cry3Bb1 corn-fed slugs were in both slug species higher than in Cry1Ab corn fed slugs, whereas no differences between Cry3Bb1 and Cry1Ab protein in feces were found. After slugs had ceased feeding on Bt corn, Cry1Ab was detectable in fresh slug feces for a significantly longer time and often in higher amounts than the Cry3Bb1. Our results indicate that both Cry proteins are likely to be transferred to higher trophic levels and to the decomposer food web. Since different Bt proteins seem to vary in their degradation, they have different transfer probabilities. This should be considered in risk assessments for non-target arthropods.', 'en_US'),
(3624, 'Potential for seed-mediated gene flow in agroecosystems from transgenic safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) intended for plant molecular farming.', 'Safflower has been transformed for field scale molecular farming of high-value proteins including several pharmaceuticals. Viable safflower seed remaining in the soil seed bank after harvest could facilitate seed and pollen-mediated gene flow. Seeds may germinate in subsequent years and volunteer plants may flower and potentially outcross with commodity safflower and/or produce seed. Seeds from volunteers could become admixed with conventional crops at harvest, and/or replenish the seed bank. Seed in following crops could be transported locally and internationally and facilitate gene flow in locations where regulatory thresholds and public acceptance differ from Canada. Seed-mediated gene flow was examined in three studies. Safflower seed loss and viability following harvest of commercial fields of a non-transgenic cultivar were determined. We assessed seed longevity of transgenic and non-transgenic safflower, on the soil surface and buried at two depths. Finally, we surveyed commercial safflower fields at different sites and measured density and growth stage of safflower volunteers, in other crops the following year and documented volunteer survival and viable seed production. Total seed loss at harvest in commercial fields, ranged from 231 to 1,069 seeds m&amp;#8722;2 and the number of viable seeds ranged from 81 to 518 seeds m&amp;#8722;2. Safflower has a relatively short longevity in the seed bank and no viable seeds were found after 2 years. Based on the seed burial studies it is predicted that winter conditions would reduce safflower seed viability on the soil surface by &gt;50%, leaving between 40 and 260 viable seeds m&amp;#8722;2. The density of safflower volunteers emerging in the early spring of the following year ranged from 3 to 11 seedlings m&amp;#8722;2. Safflower volunteers did not survive in fields under chemical fallow, but in some cereal fields small numbers of volunteers did survive and generate viable seed. Results will be used to make recommendations for best management practices to reduce seed-mediated gene flow from commercial production of plant molecular farming with safflower.', 'en_US'),
(3625, 'Production of mRNA from the cry1Ac transgene differs among Bollgard® lines which correlates to the level of subsequent protein.', 'Commercial cultivars of Bollgard® cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., differ in the amount of expressed Cry1Ac protein. However, the plant-mechanism for which this occurs is still unknown. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we developed a method to determine if differences in the overall level of Cry1Ac among Bollgard® lines could be correlated to the mRNA transcripts. Our data shows that the cry1Ac mRNA transcript differs among Bollgard® lines and are correlated with corresponding Cry1Ac protein levels. In addition, qPCR based methods can efficiently be employed to quantify Cry1Ac protein expression levels in transgenic cotton cultivars. We postulate that qPCR based methods could be successfully employed for quantifying expression levels of transgenes in plants carrying different Bt toxins.', 'en_US'),
(3626, 'Environmental impact of herbicide regimes used with genetically modified herbicide-resistant maize.', 'With the potential advent of genetically modified herbicide-resistant (GMHR) crops in the European Union, changes in patterns of herbicide use are predicted. Broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicides used with GMHR crops are expected to substitute for a set of currently used herbicides, which might alter the agro-environmental footprint from crop production. To test this hypothesis, the environmental impact of various herbicide regimes currently used with non-GMHR maize in Belgium was calculated and compared with that of possible herbicide regimes applied in GMHR maize. Impacts on human health and the environment were calculated through the pesticide occupational and environmental risk (POCER) indicator. Results showed that the environmental impact of herbicide regimes solely relying on the active ingredients glyphosate (GLY) or glufosinate-ammonium (GLU) is lower than that of herbicide regimes applied in non-GMHR maize. Due to the lower potential of GLY and GLU to contaminate ground water and their lower acute toxicity to aquatic organisms, the POCER exceedence factor values for the environment were reduced approximately by a sixth when GLY or GLU is used alone. However, the environmental impact of novel herbicide regimes tested may be underestimated due to the assumption that active ingredients used with GMHR maize would be used alone. Data retrieved from literature suggest that weed control efficacy is increased and resistance development delayed when GLY or GLU is used together with other herbicides in the GMHR system. Due to the partial instead of complete replacement of currently used herbicide regimes, the beneficial environmental impact of novel herbicide regimes might sometimes be reduced or counterbalanced. Despite the high weed control efficacy provided by the biotechnology-based weed management strategy, neither indirect harmful effects on farmland biodiversity through losses in food resources and shelter, nor shifts in weed communities have been demonstrated in GMHR maize yet. However, with the increasing adoption rate of GMHR maize and their associated novel herbicide regimes, this situation is expected to change in the short-term.', 'en_US'),
(3627, 'Comparison of transgenic Gerbera hybrida lines and traditional varieties shows no differences in cytotoxicity or metabolic fingerprints.', 'Genetic modification using gene transfer (GM) is still controversial when applied to plant breeding at least in Europe. One major concern is how GM affects other genes and thus the metabolism of the plant. In this study, 225 genetically modified lines of the ornamental plant Gerbera hybrida and 42 non-GM gerbera varieties were used to investigate changes in secondary metabolism. The cytotoxicity of GM and non-GM gerbera extracts was evaluated on human cell lines derived from lung, liver, and intestinal tissues. The results indicate that the safety profile for GM gerbera lines is similar to the viability pattern for non-GM varieties—none of the extracts were toxic. In addition, metabolic fingerprints of gerbera extracts were identified using thin-layer chromatography and analysed by principal component analysis (PCA), the nearest neighbour classifier, and Fligner-Killeen test. No new compounds unique to GM lines were observed. With PCA, no separation between GM gerbera lines and varieties could be demonstrated. In the nearest neighbour classifier, 54% of the samples found the expected neighbour based on the gene constructs used for transformation. With Fligner-Killeen test, we studied if the amounts of compounds vary more in GM gerberas than in varieties. In most cases, there were no statistically significant differences between the varieties and GM lines or there was more variation among the non-GM varieties than in the GM lines. The variance of a single compound was significantly larger in transgenic gerbera lines than in varieties and of three compounds in non-GM varieties.', 'en_US'),
(3628, 'Heterogeneity in the distribution of genetically modified and conventional oilseed rape within fields and seed lots.', 'The implementation of co-existence in the commercialisation of GM crops requires GM and non-GM products to be segregated in production and supply. However, maintaining segregation in oilseed rape will be made difficult by the highly persistent nature of this species. An understanding of its population dynamics is needed to predict persistence and develop potential strategies for control, while to ensure segregation is being achieved, the production of GM oilseed rape must be accompanied by the monitoring of GM levels in crop or seed populations. Heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of oilseed rape has the potential to affect both control and monitoring and, although a universal phenomenon in arable weeds and harvested seed lots, spatial heterogeneity in oilseed rape populations remains to be demonstrated and quantified. Here we investigate the distribution of crop and volunteer populations in a commercial field before and during the cultivation of the first conventional oilseed rape (winter) crop since the cultivation of a GM glufosinate-tolerant oilseed rape crop (spring) three years previously. GM presence was detected by ELISA for the PAT protein in each of three morphologically distinguishable phenotypes: autumn germinating crop-type plants (3% GM), autumn-germinating ‘regrowths’ (72% GM) and spring germinating ‘small-type’ plants (17% GM). Statistical models (Poisson log-normal and binomial logit-normal) were used to describe the spatial distribution of these populations at multiple spatial scales in the field and of GM presence in the harvested seed lot. Heterogeneity was a consistent feature in the distribution of GM and conventional oilseed rape. Large trends across the field (50 × 400 m) and seed lot (4 × 1.5 × 1.5 m) were observed in addition to small-scale heterogeneity, less than 20 m in the field and 20 cm in the seed lot. The heterogeneity was greater for the ‘regrowth’ and ‘small’ phenotypes, which were likely to be volunteers and included most of the GM plants detected, than for the largely non-GM ‘crop’ phenotype. The implications of the volunteer heterogeneity for field management and GM-sampling are discussed.', 'en_US'),
(3629, 'Prey mediated effects of Bt maize on fitness and digestive physiology of the red spider mite predator Stethorus punctillum Weise (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).', 'The present study investigated prey-mediated effects of two maize varieties expressing a truncated Cry1Ab, Compa CB (event Bt176) and DKC7565 (event MON810), on the biology of the ladybird Stethorus punctillum. Although immuno-assays demonstrated the presence of Cry1Ab in both prey and predator collected from commercial maize-growing fields, neither transgenic variety had any negative effects on survival of the predator, nor on the developmental time through to adulthood. Furthermore, no subsequent effects on ladybird fecundity were observed. As a prerequisite to studying the interaction of ladybird proteases with Cry1Ab, proteases were characterised using a range of natural and synthetic substrates with diagnostic inhibitors. These results demonstrated that this predator utilises both serine and cysteine proteases for digestion. In vitro studies demonstrated that T. urticae were not able to process or hydrolyze Cry1Ab, suggesting that the toxin passes through the prey to the third trophic level undegraded, thus presumably retaining its insecticidal properties. In contrast, S. punctillum was able to activate the 130 kDa protoxin into the 65 kDa fragment; a fragment of similar size was also obtained with bovine trypsin, which is known to cleave the protoxin to the active form. Thus, despite a potential hazard to the ladybird of Bt-expressing maize (since the predator was both exposed to, and able to proteolytically cleave the toxin, at least in vitro), no deleterious effects were observed.', 'en_US'),
(3630, 'Impact of single-gene and dual-gene Bt broccoli on the herbivore Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and its pupal endoparasitoid Pteromalus puparum (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae).', 'Transgenic brassica crops producing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are being investigated as candidates for field release to control lepidopteran pests. Information on the potential impact of Bt brassica crops on pests and non-target natural enemies is needed as part of an environmental risk assessment prior to the commercial release. This first tier study provides insight into the tritrophic interactions among Bt broccoli plants, the herbivore Pieris rapae and its parasitoid Pteromalus puparum. We first evaluated the efficacy of three types of Bt broccoli plants, cry1Ac, cry1C and cry1Ac + cry1C, on different instars of P. rapae. Bt broccoli effectively controlled P. rapae larvae, although later instars were more tolerant. The efficacy of different Bt broccoli plants on P. rapae larvae was consistently cry1Ac &gt; cry1Ac  + cry1C &gt; cry1C. When the parasitoid P. puparum developed in a P. rapae pupa (host) that had developed from Bt plant-fed older larvae, developmental time, total number and longevity of the P. puparum generated from the Bt plant-fed host were significantly affected compared with those generated from the non-Bt control plant-fed host. Simultaneously, negative effects on P. rapae pupae were found, i.e. pupal length, width and weight were significantly reduced after older P. rapae larvae fed on different Bt plants for 1 or 2 days. Cry1C toxin was detected using ELISA in P. rapae pupae after older larvae fed on cry1C broccoli. However, no Cry1C toxin was detected in newly emerged P. puparum adults developing in Bt-fed hosts. Only a trace amount of toxin was detected from entire P. puparum pupae dissected from the Bt plant-fed host. Moreover, no negative effect was found on the progeny of P. puparum developing from the Bt plant-fed host when subsequently supplied with a healthy host, P. rapae pupae. The reduced quality of the host appears to be the only reason for the observed deleterious effects on P. puparum. Our data suggest that the effects on P. puparum developing in Bt plant-fed P. rapae are mediated by host quality rather than by direct toxicity.', 'en_US'),
(3631, 'Efficient and stable transgene suppression via RNAi in field-grown poplars.', 'The efficiency and stability of RNA interference (RNAi) in perennial species, particularly in natural environments, is poorly understood. We studied 56 independent poplar RNAi transgenic events in the field over 2 years. A resident BAR transgene was targeted with two different types of RNAi constructs: a 475-bp IR of the promoter sequence and a 275-bp IR of the coding sequence, each with and without the presence of flanking matrix attachment regions (MARs). RNAi directed at the coding sequence was a strong inducer of gene silencing; 80% of the transgenic events showed more than 90% suppression. In contrast, RNAi targeting the promoter resulted in only 6% of transgenic events showing more than 90% suppression. The degree of suppression varied widely but was highly stable in each event over 2 years in the field, and had no association with insert copy number or the presence of MARs. RNAi remained stable during a winter to summer seasonal cycle, a time when expression of the targeted transgene driven by an rbcS promoter varied widely. When strong gene suppression was induced by an IR directed at the promoter sequence, it was accompanied by methylation of the homologous promoter region. DNA methylation was also observed in the coding region of highly suppressed events containing an IR directed at the coding sequence; however, the methylation degree and pattern varied widely among those suppressed events. Our results suggest that RNAi can be highly effective for functional genomics and biotechnology of perennial plants.', 'en_US'),
(3632, 'Over-expression of an arabidopsis family A sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) gene alters plant growth and fibre development.', 'The objective of this study was to manipulate the intracellular pools of sucrose by differentially expressing exogenous sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and investigating its role in regulating plant growth and fibre development. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) plants were transformed with an arabidopsis SPS gene under the regulation of the ubiquitously expressed tandem repeat of the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter, and subject to growth trials and fibre characterization. It was apparent that over-expression of SPS resulted in substantially elevated concentrations of sink sucrose pools compared to wild-type plants, while source tissue sucrose pools remained the same. All transformed plants had significantly increased stem height, which was ascribed to internode elongation, and greater stem diameters, longer fibers and increased total dry biomass relative to the control plants. Difference in the chemical composition of either the storage or structural carbohydrates of the wild-type and SPS transgenic lines were only minor. The correlation between increased stem sucrose content and plant phenotypes with elevated SPS gene expression confirm a role for sucrose availability in controlling plant growth and fibre elongation.', 'en_US'),
(3633, 'Accumulation of vitamin E in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers.', 'Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a powerful antioxidant essential for human health and synthesized only by photosynthetic organisms. The effects of over-expression of tocopherol biosynthetic enzymes have been studied in leaves and seeds, but not in a non-photosynthetic, below-ground plant organ. Genetic and molecular approaches were used to determine if increased levels of tocopherols can be accumulated in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers through metabolic engineering. Two transgenes were constitutively over-expressed in potato: Arabidopsis thaliana p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (At-HPPD) and A. thaliana homogentisate phytyltransferase (At-HPT). &amp;#945;-Tocopherol levels in the transgenic plants were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. In potato tubers, over-expression of At-HPPD resulted in a maximum 266% increase in &amp;#945;-tocopherol, and over-expression of At-HPT yielded a 106% increase. However, tubers from transgenic plants still accumulated approximately 10- and 100-fold less &amp;#945;-tocopherol than leaves or seeds, respectively. The results indicate that physiological and regulatory constraints may be the most limiting factors for tocopherol accumulation in potato tubers. Studying regulation and induction of tocopherol biosynthesis should reveal approaches to more effectively engineer crops with enhanced tocopherol content.', 'en_US'),
(3634, 'Efficient dsRNA-mediated transgenic resistance to Beet necrotic yellow vein virus in sugar beets is not affected by other soilborne and aphid-transmitted viruses.', 'Rhizomania caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is one of the most devastating sugar beet diseases. Sugar beet plants engineered to express a 0.4 kb inverted repeat construct based on the BNYVV replicase gene accumulated the transgene mRNA to similar levels in leaves and roots, whereas accumulation of the transgene-homologous siRNA was more pronounced in roots. The roots expressed high levels of resistance to BNYVV transmitted by the vector, Polymyxa betae. Resistance to BNYVV was not decreased following co-infection of the plants with Beet soil borne virus and Beet virus Q that share the same vector with BNYVV. Similarly, co-infection with the aphid-transmitted Beet mild yellowing virus, Beet yellows virus (BYV), or with all of the aforementioned viruses did not affect the resistance to BNYVV, while they accumulated in roots. These viruses are common in most of the sugar beet growing areas in Europe and world wide. However, there was a competitive interaction between BYV and BMYV in sugar beet leaves, as infection with BYV decreased the titres of BMYV. Other interactions between the viruses studied were not observed. The results suggest that the engineered resistance to BNYVV expressed in the sugar beets of this study is efficient in roots and not readily compromised following infection of the plants with heterologous viruses.', 'en_US'),
(3635, 'Over-expression of the apple spermidine synthase gene in pear confers multiple abiotic stress tolerance by altering polyamine titers.', 'An apple spermidine synthase (SPDS) gene (MdSPDS1) was verified to encode a functional protein by the complementation of the spe3 yeast mutant, which lacks the SPDS gene. To justify our hypothesis that apple SPDS is involved in abiotic stress responses and to obtain transgenic fruit trees tolerant to abiotic stresses as well, MdSPDS1-over-expressing transgenic European pear (Pyrus communis L. ‘Ballad’) plants were created by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. A total of 21 transgenic lines showing various spermidine (Spd) titers and MdSPDS1 expression levels were obtained. Selected lines were exposed to salt (150 mM NaCl), osmosis (300 mM mannitol), and heavy metal (500 &amp;#956;M CuSO4) stresses for evaluating their stress tolerances. Transgenic line no. 32, which was revealed to have the highest Spd accumulation and expression level of MdSPDS1, showed the strongest tolerance to these stresses. When growth increments, electrolyte leakage (EL), and values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were monitored, line no. 32 showed the lowest growth inhibition and the least increase in EL or TBARS under stress conditions. Spd titers in wild-type and transgenic lines showed diverse changes upon stresses, and these changes were not consistent with the changes in MdSPDS1 expressions. Moreover, there were no differences in the sodium concentration in the shoots between the wild type and line no. 32, whereas the copper concentration was higher in the wild type than in line no. 32. Although the mechanism(s) underlying the involvement of polyamines in stress responses is not known, these results suggest that the over-expression of the SPDS gene substantially increased the tolerance to multiple stresses by altering the polyamine titers in pear. Thus, MdSPDS1-over-expressing transgenic pear plants could be used to improve desert land and/or to repair polluted environments.', 'en_US'),
(3636, 'Genetically modified crops for the bioeconomy: meeting public and regulatory expectations.', 'As the United States moves toward a plant-based bioeconomy, a large research and development effort is focused on creating new feedstocks to meet biomass demand for biofuels, bioenergy, and specialized bioproducts, such as industrial compounds and biomaterial precursors. Most bioeconomy projections assume the widespread deployment of novel feedstocks developed through the use of modern molecular breeding techniques, but rarely consider the challenges involved with the use of genetically modified crops, which can include hurdles due to regulatory approvals, market adoption, and public acceptance. In this paper we consider the implications of various transgenic crops and traits under development for the bioeconomy that highlight these challenges. We believe that an awareness of the issues in crop and trait selection will allow developers to design crops with maximum stakeholder appeal and with the greatest potential for widespread adoption, while avoiding applications unlikely to meet regulatory approval or gain market and public acceptance.', 'en_US'),
(3637, 'Metabolic engineering of carotenoid accumulation by creating a metabolic sink.', 'Carotenoids are highly beneficial for human nutrition and health because they provide essential nutrients and important antioxidants in our diets. However, many food crops, especially the major staple crops contain only trace to low amounts of carotenoids. Although significant progress has been made in developing food crops rich in carotenoids by altering the expression of carotenoid biosynthetic genes, in many cases it has proved to be difficult to reach the desired levels of carotenoid enrichment. The recent identification and characterization of a novel gene mutation in cauliflower reveals that creating a metabolic sink to sequester carotenoids is an important mechanism to control carotenoid accumulation in plants. The successful demonstration of increased carotenoid accumulation in association with the formation of sink structures in transgenic crops offers a new and alternative approach to increase carotenoid content. Manipulation of the formation of metabolic sink along with the catalytic activity of the pathway may represent a promising strategy for maximally improving the nutritional quality of food crops.', 'en_US'),
(3638, 'Stability of Potato virus X expression vectors is related to insert size: implications for replication models and risk assessment.', 'We investigated the stability of expression constructs based on Potato virus X (PVX) as a function of insert length. Five different inserts ranging in length from 261 to 1,758 bp (human proinsulin, murine interleukin-10, HIV-1 nef, petunia expansin-1 and human gad65) were expressed using a PVX vector in Nicotiana benthamiana plants for three sequential passages. Using a competitive RT-PCR approach we demonstrated that insert–deletion could occur in the first infection cycle for all inserts, but that this was much more likely to be the case for longer ones. This suggested a negative correlation between insert length and vector stability. Sequence analysis of the deleted constructs suggested that recombination usually occurred at sites close to the duplicated sub-genomic promoter, but in a smaller number of cases the foreign gene itself was probably involved, resulting in partially deleted constructs containing transgene fragments. The implications of these results in the context of recombinant protein expression and its risks are discussed.', 'en_US'),
(3639, 'A wheat genomic DNA fragment reduces pollen transmission of maize transgenes by reducing pollen viability.', 'A genomic DNA fragment from wheat carrying the Glu-1Dx5 gene has been shown to exhibit reduced pollen transmission in transgenic maize. To localize the region of the DNA fragment responsible for this reduced pollen transmission, we produced transgenic maize plants in which the wheat genomic DNA proximal to the 1Dx5 coding sequence was replaced with the maize 27 kDa &amp;#947;-zein promoter. Like the wheat promoter-driven Glu-1Dx5 transgene, this zein promoter-driven transgene functioned to produce 1Dx5 in maize endosperm. However, with the zein promoter-driven transgene, pollen transmission of the transgene loci was normal in most self- and cross-pollinations. We concluded that the wheat genomic DNA proximal to the wheat 1Dx5 coding sequence was required for reduced pollen transmission of the transgene in maize. In two of four transformation events of the wheat promoter-driven construct examined, pollen exhibited two morphological classes. In one class, pollen was normal in morphology and displayed average viability, and in the second, pollen was reduced in size and did not germinate on artificial media. DNA from the transgene was detectable in mature pollen from plants with reduced pollen transmission of transgene loci. To explain these observations, we hypothesize that elements within the transgene construct interfere with pollen development. We demonstrated that the wheat genomic DNA fragment can be used to control pollen transmission of an herbicide resistance transgene genetically linked to it. The wheat genomic DNA fragment may contain elements that are useful for controlling pollen transmission of transgene loci in commercial maize grain and seed production.', 'en_US'),
(3640, 'Transgene-dependent incompatibility induced by introduction of the SK2:ZPT2-10 chimeric gene in petunia.', 'In an attempt to functionally characterize a petunia zinc-finger gene ZPT2-10, which is specifically expressed in style transmitting tissue, we fused its cDNA downstream of the potato SK2 promoter (SK2:ZPT2-10) and then introduced it into Petunia hybrida. We found that some transformants had acquired altered traits in compatibility in mating; these were termed ‘transgene-dependent incompatibility (TDI)’. These transgenic lines were fertile when self-pollinated or crossed with other TDI lines. In contrast, they failed to mate when crossed with untransformed wild-type petunia or non-TDI lines of SK2:ZPT2-10 transformants. The TDI phenomenon was observed irrespective of whether the TDI lines were used as the pollen or pistillar parent. The TDI phenotype cosegregated with the SK2:ZPT2-10 transgene in the T1 generation and loss of this transgene resulted in the recovery of normal fertility. In the case of infertile pollination with the TDI line as one parent, pollen tubes grew normally through pistillar tissues, where endogenous ZPT2-10 is expressed, and eventually reached the ovules. However, the resultant embryos were arrested at the globular-heart stage. We found no correlation between the occurrence of the TDI phenotype and the expression of ZPT2-10 transcripts. On the basis of these observations, we discuss the possible molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomena and its utility.', 'en_US'),
(3641, 'Antioxidant value addition in human diets: genetic transformation of Brassica juncea with gamma-TMT gene for increased alpha-tocopherol content.', 'alpha-Tocopherol, the most biologically active form of vitamin E, is implicated in decreasing the risk of several types of cancers, coronary heart disease and a number of degenerative human conditions, when taken in excess of the recommended daily allowance. Natural alpha-tocopherol has twice the bioavailability of the synthetic isomer. This study describes a successful attempt at fortifying human diets with natural &#945;-tocopherol by taking recourse to genetic engineering of an important oilseed crop, Brassica juncea. gamma-Tocopherol methyl transferase cDNA from Arabidopsis thaliana, coding for the enzyme catalysing the conversion of the large &#947;-tocopherol pool to alpha-tocopherol, was overexpressed in B. juncea plants. The successful integration of the transgene was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis, while the enhanced transcript level was evident in the northern blot analysis. HPLC analysis of the seeds of the T1 transgenic lines showed a shift in tocopherol profile with the highest over-expressors having alpha-tocopherol levels as high as sixfold over the non-transgenic controls. This study discusses the production of a transgenic oilseed crop with high alpha-tocopherol levels, which can provide a feasible, innocuous, and inexpensive way of taking the beneficial effects of high alpha-tocopherol intake to the masses.', 'en_US');
INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3642, 'Redirection of carotenoid metabolism for the efficient production of taxadiene [taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene] in transgenic tomato fruit.', 'The taxanes are a group of polycyclic diterpenes produced by various species of yew. The potent anticancer drug paclitaxel (marketed as Taxol™) is the commercially most important taxane with annual sales in 2000 exceeding $1.6 billion. Paclitaxel is currently obtained either by direct extraction from yew trees or by the extraction of the precursor 10-deactilbaccatin III, which is then converted to paclitaxel by semi-synthesis. Apart from cost, one of the main draw backs to taxol in cancer treatment is the development of resistance by tumours, commonly due to the expression of ABC transporter efflux pumps which remove the drug from the target cell. A number of natural taxanes and semisynthetic derivates, have recently been shown to act as potent inhibitors of ABC transport proteins. These compounds have no effect upon microtubule polymerization (the normal target of paclitaxel), but have the ability to restore drug sensitivity when given in combination with paclitaxel to resistant cell lines. In work to be described elsewhere, we sort to carry out a structure function analysis of the ability of novel oxidised taxanes to act as ABC transporter inhibitors. For this study 100 mg or more of taxadiene [taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene], the first taxane in the paclitaxel pathway, was required as starting material from which to synthesize these compounds. Taxadiene is synthesised directly from geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), which is found in most plant tissues where it serves as a common precursor for many metabolites. The synthesis and use of GGDP are tightly regulated in most vegetative organs, however, in tomato fruit it is used almost exclusively for the production of coloured carotenoids which accumulate to high levels in the plastid as lycopene crystals. Expressing taxadiene synthase in a yellow-fruited tomato line that lacks the ability to utilise GGPP for carotenoid synthesis allowed GGPP normally utilised for making carotenoids to be re-routed for the production of taxadiene, allowing the facile extraction of 160 mg of highly pure taxadiene from 1 kg of freeze dried fruit.', 'en_US'),
(3643, 'Progress of vitamin E metabolic engineering in plants.', 'Vitamin E is important for human and animal health. Many human diseases, such as certain cancers and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease, are associated with the insufficient intake of vitamin E. The daily requirements for vitamin E in men and women have been increased to 15–30 mg. Because the primary source of dietary vitamin E comes from plants, there is a need to increase vitamin E production through plant engineering in order to meet the demand in human consumption. Numerous studies have been carried out in this field, leading to many successful examples. In this review, we summarized the recent progress in vitamin E metabolic engineering in plants aimed at improving the vitamin E content and regulating composition of vitamin E.', 'en_US'),
(3644, 'Transgenic tobacco plants producing caffeine: a potential new strategy for insect pest control.', 'Caffeine (1,3,7–trimethylxanthine) is one of the most widely used plant secondary metabolites, primarily as a stimulant and an ingredient in drugs. In nature, caffeine is believed to function in chemical defense, acting as an antiherbivory and allelopathic agent, and therefore it might be employed to protect agriculturally important crop plants. In coffee plants, caffeine is synthesized from the precursor xanthosine in four steps, three N-methylations and removal of ribose. We had previously isolated genes encoding three distinct N-methyltransferases, and we demonstrated production of recombinant enzymes that yielded caffeine in in vitro reconstitution experiments. When these caffeine biosynthetic pathway genes were simultaneously expressed in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum), caffeine was successfully produced up to 5 µg/g fresh weight in leaves. The leaves were unpalatable to tobacco cutworms (Spodoptera litura). This repellent action appeared to be more widely&amp;#9251;applicable to lepidopteran caterpillars as observed with small white (Pieris rapae) fed on Chinese cabbages that had been top-treated with caffeine. Our recent results suggest a novel approach to strengthen anti-herbivore traits by producing caffeine in crop plants.', 'en_US'),
(3645, 'The grapevine polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (VvPGIP1) reduces Botrytis cinerea susceptibility in transgenic tobacco and differentially inhibits fungal polygalacturonases.', 'Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) selectively inhibit polygalacturonases (PGs) secreted by invading plant pathogenic fungi. PGIPs display differential inhibition towards PGs from different fungi, also towards different isoforms of PGs originating from a specific pathogen. Recently, a PGIP-encoding gene from Vitis vinifera (Vvpgip1) was isolated and characterised. PGIP purified from grapevine was shown to inhibit crude polygalacturonase extracts from Botrytis cinerea, but this inhibitory activity has not yet been linked conclusively to the activity of the Vvpgip1 gene product. Here we use a transgenic over-expression approach to show that the PGIP encoded by the Vvpgip1 gene is active against PGs of B. cinerea and that over-expression of this gene in transgenic tobacco confers a reduced susceptibility to infection by this pathogen. A calculated reduction in disease susceptibility of 47–69% was observed for a homogeneous group of transgenic lines that was statistically clearly separated from untransformed control plants following infection with Botrytis over a 15-day-period. VvPGIP1 was subsequently purified from transgenic tobacco and used to study the specific inhibition profile of individual PGs from Botrytis and Aspergillus. The heterologously expressed and purified VvPGIP1 selectively inhibited PGs from both A. niger and B.&amp;#9251;cinerea, including BcPG1, a PG from B. cinerea that has previously been shown to be essential for virulence and symptom development. Altogether our data confirm the antifungal nature of the VvPGIP1, and the in vitro inhibition data suggest at least in part, that the VvPGIP1 contributed to the observed reduction in disease symptoms by inhibiting the macerating action of certain Botrytis PGs in planta. The ability to correlate inhibition profiles to individual PGs provides a more comprehensive analysis of PGIPs as antifungal genes with biotechnological potential, and adds to our understanding of the importance of PGIP:PG interactions during disease and symptom development in plants.', 'en_US'),
(3646, 'Physiological effects of constitutive expression of Oilseed Rape Mosaic Tobamovirus (ORMV) movement protein in Arabidopsis thaliana.', 'Movement proteins (MPs) are non-cell autonomous viral-encoded proteins that assist viruses in their cell-to-cell movement. The MP encoded by Tobamoviruses is the best characterized example among MPs of non-tubule-inducing plant RNA viruses. The MP of Oilseed Rape Mosaic Tobamovirus (ORMV) was transgenically expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana, ecotype RLD, under the expression of the 35S promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus. Transgenic lines were obtained in sense and antisense orientations. One of the sense transgenic lines was further characterized turning out to carry one copy of the transgene inserted in the terminal region of the right arm of chromosome 1. The constitutive expression of ORMV-MP induced mild physiological effects in Arabidopsis. Plants of the transgenic line allowed a faster systemic movement of the phloem tracer carboxyfluorescein. The tracer was unloaded differentially in different flower parts, revealing differential effects of ORMV-MP on phloem unloading in sink organs. On the other hand, transgenic Arabidopsis did not show any effect on biomass partitioning or sugar availability, effects reported for equivalent transgenic solanaceous plants expressing the MP of Tobacco Mosaic Virus, another Tobamovirus. Finally, the transgenic Arabidopsis plants were susceptible to ORMV infection, although showing milder overall symptoms than non-transgenic controls. The results highlight the relevance of the specific host-virus system, in the physiological outcome of the molecular interactions established by MPs.', 'en_US'),
(3647, 'Comparative spatial spread overtime of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV) and Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV) in fields of transgenic squash expressing the coat protein genes of ZYMV and WMV, and in fields of nontransgenic squash.', 'The spatial and temporal patterns of aphid-vectored spread of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV) and Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV) were monitored over two consecutive years in plantings of nontransgenic and transgenic squash ZW-20H (commercial cv. Freedom II) and ZW-20B, both expressing the coat protein genes of ZYMV and WMV. All test plants were surrounded by nontransgenic plants that were mechanically inoculated with ZYMV or WMV, and served as primary virus source. Across all trials, none of the transgenic plants exhibited systemic symptoms upon infection by ZYMV and WMV but a few of them developed localized chlorotic dots and/or blotches, and had low mixed infection rates [4% (6 of 139) of ZW-20H and 9% (13 of 139) of ZW-20B], as shown by ELISA. Geostatistical analysis of ELISA positive transgenic plants indicated, (i) a lack of spatial relationship on spread of ZYMV and WMV for ZW-20H with flat omnidirectional experimental semivariograms that fitted poorly theoretical models, and (ii) some extent of spatial dependence on ZYMV spread for ZW-20B with a well structured experimental semivariogram that fitted poorly theoretical models during the first but not the second growing season. In contrast, a strong spatial dependence on spread of ZYMV and WMV was found for nontransgenic plants, which developed severe systemic symptoms, had prevalent mixed infection rates (62%, 86 of 139), and well-defined omnidirectional experimental semivariograms that fitted a spherical model. Geostatistical data were sustained by virus transmission experiments with Myzus persicae in screenhouses, showing that commercial transgenic squash ZW-20H alter the dynamics of ZYMV and WMV epidemics by preventing secondary plant-to-plant spread.', 'en_US'),
(3648, 'Generation of mercury-hyperaccumulating plants through transgenic expression of the bacterial mercury membrane transport protein merC.', 'The merC gene from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans functions as a mercury uptake pump. MerC protein localizes in the cytoplasmic membrane of plant cells. When Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco plants were transformed with the merC gene under the control of the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, the resulting overexpression of merC rendered the host plants hypersensitive to Hg2+ and they accumulated approximately twice as much Hg2+ ion as the wild type plants. Thus, bacterial mercuric ion transporters such as MerC may be useful molecular tools for producing transgenic plants that hyperaccumulate Hg2+ ion.', 'en_US'),
(3649, 'Transformation of poplar (Populus alba) plastids and expression of foreign proteins in tree chloroplasts.', 'Plastid transformation offers several unique advantages compared with nuclear genome transformation, such as high level of transgene expression within plastids, expressing multiple transgenes as operons, lack of position effect due to site-specific transgene integration, and reducing risks of gene flow via pollen due to maternal inheritance of the plastid genome. Plastid transformation has been applied to several herbal species, but as yet there are no applications to tree species. We report here the first successful plastid transformation in a tree species, Populus alba. A vector for plastid transformation of poplar (Populus alba) was constructed, which carried the spectinomycin resistance gene and the green fluorescence protein gene as marker genes. In the regenerated shoots, the site-specific integration of foreign genes and the establishment of a high homoplastomic state were confirmed. Immunoblot analysis and histological observations corroborated the accumulation of green fluorescence protein in chloroplasts. The establishment of a plastid transformation system in poplar provides a novel tool for tree biotechnology.', 'en_US'),
(3650, 'Phytohormones and rice crop yield: strategies and opportunities for genetic improvement.', 'To feed an estimated world population of 8.9 billion by 2050, strategies for increasing grain production must be developed. Several agronomically important traits for increasing yield, such as plant height, grain number, and leaf erectness, have recently been characterized in rice (Oryza sativa L.). These traits are regulated primarily by three phytohormones: gibberellins, cytokinins, and brassinosteroids. The control of biosynthesis and degradation of these key phytohormones is discussed in terms of its importance for normal plant growth. Genes involved in the biosynthesis and regulation of these phytohormones can be used to develop effective strategies to increase grain yield. Genetic manipulation of phytohormone-related gene expression is thus a practical strategy to generate high-yielding transgenic plants through the modification of levels and profile of endogenous phytohormones.', 'en_US'),
(3651, 'Expression of the lipid transfer protein Ace-AMP1 in transgenic wheat enhances antifungal activity and defense responses.', 'To enhance fungal disease resistance, wheat plants (cv. Bobwhite) were engineered to constitutively express the potent antimicrobial protein Ace-AMP1 from Allium cepa, driven by a maize ubiquitin promoter along with its first intron. The bar gene was used for selection of putative transformants on medium containing phosphinothricin (PPT). Transgene inheritance, integration and stability of expression were confirmed over two generations by PCR, Southern, northern and western blot analyses, respectively. The levels of Ace-AMP1 in different transgenic lines correlated with the transcript levels of the transgene. Up to 50% increase in resistance to Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici was detected in detached leaf assays. In ears of transgenic wheat inoculated with Neovossia indica, Ace-AMP1 intensified expression of defense-related genes. Elevated levels of salicylic acid and of transcripts of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), glucanase (PR2) and chitinase (PR3) in the transgenic plants indicated manifestation of systemic acquired resistance (SAR).', 'en_US'),
(3652, 'Prey-mediated effects of transgenic canola on a beneficial, non-target, carabid beetle.', 'Transgenic plants producing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can control some major insect pests and reduce reliance on sprayed insecticides. However, large scale adoption of this technology has raised concerns about potential negative effects, including evolution of pest resistance to Bt toxins, transgene flow from Bt crops to other plants, and harm to non-target beneficial organisms. Furthermore, concern has also been expressed over the effects this technology may have on biodiversity in general. Ecologically relevant risk assessment is therefore required (Risk = Hazard × Exposure). Transgenic plants that produce Bt toxins to kill insect pests could harm beneficial predators. This might occur directly by transmission of toxin via prey, or indirectly by toxin-induced reduction in prey quality (Hazard). To test these hypotheses, we determined the effects of Bt-producing canola on a predatory ground beetle (Pterostichus madidus) fed larvae of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) that were either susceptible or resistant to the Bt toxin. Survival, weight gain, and adult reproductive fitness did not differ between beetles fed prey reared on Bt-producing plants and those fed prey from control plants. Furthermore, while Bt-resistant prey was shown to deliver high levels of toxin to the beetle when they were consumed, no significant impact upon the beetle was observed. Subsequent investigation showed that in choice tests (Exposure), starved and partially satiated female beetles avoided Bt-fed susceptible prey, but not Bt-fed resistant prey. However, in the rare cases when starved females initially selected Bt-fed susceptible prey, they rapidly rejected them after beginning to feed. This prey type was shown to provide sufficient nutrition to support reproduction in the bioassay suggesting that Bt-fed susceptible prey is acceptable in the absence of alternative prey, however adults possess a discrimination ability based on prey quality. These results suggest that the direct effects of Bt-producing canola on predator life history was minimal, and that predators’ behavioural preferences may mitigate negative indirect effects of reduced quality of prey caused by consumption of Bt-producing plants. The results presented here therefore suggest that cultivation of Bt canola may lead to conservation of non-target predatory and scavenging organisms beneficial in pest control, such as carabids, and may therefore provide more sustainable agricultural systems than current practices. In addition, minimal impacts on beneficial carabids in agro-ecosystems suggest that Bt canola crops are likely to be compatible with integrated pest management (IPM) systems.', 'en_US'),
(3653, 'Mycotoxin reduction in Bt corn: potential economic, health, and regulatory impacts.', 'Genetically modified (GM) Bt corn, through the pest protection that it confers, has lower levels of mycotoxins: toxic and carcinogenic chemicals produced as secondary metabolites of fungi that colonize crops. In some cases, the reduction of mycotoxins afforded by Bt corn is significant enough to have an economic impact, both in terms of domestic markets and international trade. In less developed countries where certain mycotoxins are significant contaminants of food, Bt corn adoption, by virtue of its mycotoxin reduction, may even improve human and animal health. This paper describes an integrated assessment model that analyzes the economic and health impacts of two mycotoxins in corn: fumonisin and aflatoxin. It was found that excessively strict standards of these two mycotoxins could result in global trade losses in the hundreds of millions $US annually, with the US, China, and Argentina suffering the greatest losses. The paper then discusses the evidence for Bt corn’s lower levels of contamination of fumonisin and aflatoxin, and estimates economic impacts in the United States. A total benefit of Bt corn’s reduction of fumonisin and aflatoxin in the US was estimated at $US annually, with the US, China, and Argentina suffering the greatest losses. The paper then discusses the evidence for Bt corn’s lower levels of contamination of fumonisin and aflatoxin, and estimates economic impacts in the United States. A total benefit of Bt corn’s reduction of fumonisin and aflatoxin in the US was estimated at 23 million annually. Finally, the paper examines the potential policy impacts of Bt corn’s mycotoxin reduction, on nations that are making a decision on whether to allow commercialization of this genetically modified crop.', 'en_US'),
(3654, 'Examination of the biological effects of high anionic peroxidase production in tobacco plants grown under field conditions. I. insect pest damage.', 'At least 25 wild type and high peroxidase tobacco Nicotiana tabacum L. plants were examined semiweekly over several weeks for pest insect distribution and damage in a 2 year field study. Incidence and/or severity of naturally occurring caterpillar damage (dingy cutworm (Feltia ducens Walker), black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta L.), and false tobacco budworm (= corn earworm Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)) was significantly reduced at several sample dates for high peroxidase vs. wild type plants. These results parallel those of prior laboratory studies with caterpillars. The number of adult whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) per plant was significantly reduced on high peroxidase compared to wild type plants on most sample dates in both years. The number of plants with leaves containing &gt;100 aphids (primarily Myzus persicae Sulzer) per leaf on high peroxidase plants was significantly lower that on wild type plants after an equivalent invasion period in both years. A significantly higher proportion of aphids were found dead on leaf five of high peroxidase compared to wild type plants at most sample dates in both years. These results indicate that high peroxidase plants have resistance to a wide range of insects, implicating this enzyme as a broad range resistance mechanism.', 'en_US'),
(3655, 'Six years after the commercial introduction of Bt maize in Spain: field evaluation, impact and future prospects.', 'We carried out a 6-year-field evaluation to assess potential hazards of growing Compa®, a transgenic Bt maize variety based on the transformation event CG 00256-176. Two categories of hazards were investigated: the potential of the target corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides to evolve resistance to Bt maize and effects on non-target organisms. In order to address the first hazard, dispersal capacity of the corn borer was measured and our results indicated that larvae move to plants other than those onto which the female oviposited – even to plants in adjacent rows – in remarkable numbers and they do so mostly at a mature age, suggesting that mixing Bt and non-Bt seeds in the same field would not be a very useful deployment strategy to delay/prevent resistance. In addition, adults move among fields to mate and males may do so for up to 400 m. Three different aspects of potential non-target effects were investigated: sub-lethal effects on the target S. nonagrioides, effects on non-target maize pests, and effects on maize-dwelling predators. Larvae collected in Bt fields at later growth stages, in which event 176 Bt maize expresses Bt toxin at sub-lethal concentrations, had longer diapause and post-diapause development than larvae collected in non-Bt fields, a feature that might lead to a certain isolation between populations in both type of fields and accelerate Bt resistance evolution. Transgenic maize did not have a negative impact on non-target pests in the field; more aphids and leafhoppers but similar numbers of cutworms and wireworms were counted in Bt versus non-Bt fields; in any case differences in damage or yield were recorded. We observed no difference in the numbers of the most relevant predators in fields containing transgenic or no transgenic maize.', 'en_US'),
(3656, 'Transgenic plants for insect pest control: a forward looking scientific perspective.', 'One of the first successes of plant biotechnology has been the creation and commercialisation of transgenic crops exhibiting resistance to major insect pests. First generation products encompassed plants with single insecticidal Bt genes with resistance against major pests of corn and cotton. Modelling studies predicted that usefulness of these resistant plants would be short-lived, as a result of the ability of insects to develop resistance against single insecticidal gene products. However, despite such dire predictions no such collapse has taken place and the acreage of transgenic insect resistance crops has been increasing at a steady rate over the 9 years since the deployment of the first transgenic insect resistant plant. However, in order to assure durability and sustainability of resistance, novel strategies have been contemplated and are being developed. This perspective addresses a number of potentially useful strategies to assure the longevity of second and third generation insect resistant plants.', 'en_US'),
(3657, 'Reproductive phenology of transgenic Brassica napus cultivars: Effect on intraspecific gene flow.', 'Pollen-mediated gene flow in space is well documented and isolation distances are recommended to ensure genetic purity of Brassica napus seed crops. Isolation in time could also contribute to gene flow management but has been little investigated. We assessed the effects of asynchronous and synchronous flowering on intraspecific B. napus gene flow by seeding adjacent plots of transgenic spring canola cultivars, either resistant to glyphosate or glufosinate, over a 0–4 week interval and measuring outcrossing rates and seed-set. Outcrossing rates, evaluated in the center of the first adjacent row, were reduced to the lowest level in plots flowering first when the seeding interval &gt;&amp;#8201;2 weeks. Increasing the time gap increased outcrossing rates in plots flowering second up to a seeding interval of two weeks. Flowers that opened during the last week of the flowering period produced fewer seed (&lt;&amp;#8201;10% of total seed production) and a smaller fraction of outcrossed seed (–25%). Observed time gap effects were likely caused by extraneous pollen load during the receptivity of productive seed-setting early flowers. Clearly, manipulation of B. napus flowering development through staggered planting dates can contribute to gene flow management. The approach will need to be validated by additional site-years and increased isolation distances.', 'en_US'),
(3658, 'Strategies for coexistence of GM and non-GM soy from import to feed processing.', 'Regulations 1829/2003/CE and 1830/2003/CE have allowed the placing on the European market of GM products in food and feed chains, and have defined their rules of traceability and labeling. For some supply chains, like for soy and its derived products that are used in the production of feed, manufacturers have to face both non-GM and GM production, although there are no labeling requirements for animal products derived from animals fed with GMOs. This study presents the strategies of stakeholders involved in the feed production chain to maintain concurrent production of compound feed with GM and non-GM soy products, by dealing with the coexistence between those two crops. The stakeholders include importers, traders, soy processors, feed processors and retailers. The study shows that many tools are in place to ensure and maintain the current coexistence. However, a profound harmonization of procedures and methods at a European level should be encouraged.', 'en_US'),
(3659, 'Statistical aspects of environmental risk assessment of GM plants for effects on non-target organisms.', 'Previous European guidance for environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants emphasized the concepts of statistical power but provided no explicit requirements for the provision of statistical power analyses. Similarly, whilst the need for good experimental designs was stressed, no minimum guidelines were set for replication or sample sizes. Furthermore, although substantial equivalence was stressed as central to risk assessment, no means of quantification of this concept was given. This paper suggests several ways in which existing guidance might be revised to address these problems. One approach explored is the `bioequivalence'' test, which has the advantage that the error of most concern to the consumer may be set relatively easily. Also, since the burden of proof is placed on the experimenter, the test promotes high-quality, well-replicated experiments with sufficient statistical power. Other recommendations cover the specification of effect sizes, the choice of appropriate comparators, the use of positive controls, meta-analyses, multivariate analysis and diversity indices. Specific guidance is suggested for experimental designs of field trials and their statistical analyses. A checklist for experimental design is proposed to accompany all environmental risk assessments.', 'en_US'),
(3660, 'Soil persistence of DNA from transgenic poplar.', 'The presence of recombinant DNA in soil cultivated with white poplars (Populus alba L.) expressing either the bar transgene for herbicide tolerance or the StSy transgene for resveratrol production, respectively, was investigated in a greenhouse over a 20-month period. The bar trial included the transgenic lines 5P56 and 6EA22P56 and the untransformed line, while the StSy trial was established with the transgenic lines 5EAC1 and 12EAC1 and with the untransformed line. All the transgenic poplars harbored the nptII marker gene. Plantlets were cultivated in pots, and soil samples were mixed in order to obtain composite pools which were used for molecular analyses. The 35SCaMV-bar (1504 bp), 35SCaMV-StSy (1403 bp) and NosP-nptII (1188 bp) sequences were detected in total DNA extracted from soil samples taken at different times after planting, using PCR/Southern blot hybridization. Microcosm experiments, carried out to assess the effects of temperature and DNA purity on transgene persistence, revealed only a partial correlation between the intensity of hybridization signals and the parameters tested.', 'en_US'),
(3661, 'Evaluation of pollen dispersal and cross pollination using transgenic grapevine plants.', 'Public debate about the possible risk of genetically modified plants often concerns putative effects of pollen dispersal and out-crossing into conventional fields in the neighborhood of transgenic plants. Though Vitis vinifera (grapevine) is generally considered to be self-pollinating, it cannot be excluded that vertical gene transfer might occur. For monitoring pollen flow and out-crossing events, transgenic plants of Vitis vinifera cv. `Dornfelder'' harboring the gus-int gene were planted in the center of a field experiment in Southwest Germany in 1999. The rate of pollen dispersal was determined by pollen traps placed at radial distances of 5–150 m from the pollen-donor plants, at 1.00 and 1.80 m above ground. Transgenic pollen was evaluated by GUS staining, and could clearly be distinguished from pollen originating from non-transgenic grapevine plants. Transgenic pollen was observed up to 150 m from the pollen donors. The rate of out-crossing was determined by sampling seeds of selected grapevines at a distance of 10 m to the pollen source, and of a sector at 20 m distance, respectively, followed by GUS analysis of seedlings. The average cross-pollination rate during the experiment (2002–2004) was 2.7% at a distance of 20 m. The results of this first pilot study present a good base for further assessment under the conditions of normal viticulture practice.', 'en_US'),
(3662, 'In-field frequencies and characteristics of oilseed rape with double herbicide resistance.', 'When growing different transgenic herbicide-resistant oilseed rape cultivars side by side, seeds with multiple herbicide resistance can arise, possibly causing problems for the management of volunteer plants. Large-scale field experiments were performed in the years 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 in order to investigate the frequencies and the consequences of the transfer of herbicide resistance genes from transgenic oilseed rape to cultivars grown on neighboring agricultural fields. Transgenic oilseed rape with resistance to glufosinate-ammonium (LibertyLink, LL) and with glyphosate resistance (RoundupReady, RR), respectively, was sown in adjacent 0.5 ha plots, surrounded by about 8 ha non-transgenic oilseed rape. The plots and the field were either in direct contact (0.5 m gap width) or they were separated by 10 m of fallow land. Seed samples taken during harvest in the transgenic plots at different distances were investigated for progeny with resistance to the respective other herbicide. It was found that outcrossing frequencies were reduced to different extents by a 10 m isolation distance. In addition to pollen-mediated transgene flow as a result of outcrossing, we found considerable seed-mediated gene flow by adventitious dispersal of transgenic seeds through the harvesting machine. Volunteer plants with double herbicide resistance emerging in the transgenic plots after harvest were selected by suitable applications of the complementary herbicides Basta  and Roundup Ultra  . In both years, double-resistant volunteers were largely restricted to the inner edges of the plots. Expression analysis under controlled laboratory conditions of double-resistant plants generated by manual crosses revealed stability of transgene expression even at elevated temperatures. Greenhouse tests with double-resistant oilseed rape plants gave no indication that the sensitivity to a range of different herbicides is changed as compared to non-transgenic oilseed rape.', 'en_US'),
(3663, 'Pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) intended for plant molecular farming to conventional safflower.', 'Field experiments were conducted in Chile and western Canada to measure short-distance (0 to 100 m) outcrossing from transgenic safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) intended for plant molecular farming to non-transgenic commodity safflower of the same variety. The transgenic safflower used as the pollen source was transformed with a construct for seed-specific expression of a high-value protein and constitutive expression of a gene conferring resistance to the broad-spectrum herbicide glufosinate. Progeny of non-transgenic plants grown in plots adjacent to the transgenic pollen source were screened for glufosinate resistance to measure outcrossing frequency. Outcrossing frequency differed among locations: values closest to the transgenic pollen source (0 to 3 m) ranged from 0.48 to 1.67% and rapidly declined to between 0.0024 to 0.03% at distances of 50 to 100 m. At each location, outcrossing frequency was spatially heterogeneous, indicating insects or wind moved pollen asymmetrically. A power analysis assuming a binomial distribution and a range of alpha values (type 1 error) was conducted to estimate an upper and lower confidence interval for the probable transgenic seed frequency in each sample. This facilitated interpretation when large numbers of seeds were screened from the outcrossing experiments and no transgenic seeds were found. This study should aid regulators and the plant molecular farming industry in developing confinement strategies to mitigate pollen mediated gene flow from transgenic to non-transgenic safflower.', 'en_US'),
(3664, 'Monitoring the occurrence of genetically modified oilseed rape growing along a Japanese roadside: 3-year observations.', 'Monitoring for escape of genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape (Brassica napus) during transport can be performed by means of roadside evaluations in areas where cultivation of this GM crop is not conducted, such as in Japan. We performed a survey of oilseed rape plants growing along a 20-km section of Japan''s Route 51, one of the main land transportation routes in central Japan for imports of GM oilseed rape from the Port of Kashima into Keiyo District. Oilseed rape plants were found each year, but the number of plants varied substantially during the three years of our study: 2162 plants in 2005, 4066 in 2006, and only 278 in 2007. The low number in 2007 was probably caused by roadwork. Herbicide-resistant individuals were detected in the three consecutive years (26, 8, and 5 individuals with glyphosate resistance), but glufosinate-resistant plants (9 individuals) were detected only in 2005. The roadside plants occurred mainly along the inbound lane from Kashima to Narita. These plants are likely to have their origin in seeds spilled during transportation of cargo from the port, since there are no potential natural seed source plants for B. napus near Route 51. This is the first detailed report on the transition and distribution of herbicide-resistant oilseed rape plants following loss and spillage along Japanese roads.', 'en_US'),
(3665, 'Plant fitness assessment for wild relatives of insect resistant crops.', 'Risk assessments of new insect-resistant crops will need to estimate the potential for increased weediness of wild crop relatives as a consequence of gene flow. When field experiments are precluded by containment concerns, simulation experiments can identify hazards or measure expected differences between GMOs and parental plants. To measure plant fitness consequences of wild plant protection from Bt-susceptible herbivores, we used topical sprays of bacterial Bacillus thuringiensis larvacide (Bt) on Brassica rapa. Spontaneous crosses between B. rapa and Bt cole crops cannot be precluded, especially if adoption of Bt varieties leads to high exposure. We compared survivorship and seed output of B. rapa that were either protected from or exposed to Bt-susceptible Lepidoptera in the various conditions where hybrids are likely to occur: cultivated (disked) soil, uncultivated agricultural field margins, and nearby non-crop habitats (meadows and ruderal areas). The relative effect of herbivore protection varied among years, habitats, and populations of seedlings. In 2003–2004, Bt sprays did not result in lower herbivory on B. rapa, and plant fitness was not increased. However, in 2004–2006 B. rapa seedlings protected from Bt-susceptible herbivores lived 25% longer, on average, than those that were exposed to these herbivores. In addition, an average B. rapa seedling sprayed with Bt throughout its lifetime was twice as likely to produce siliques and had 251% of the seed output of a seedling exposed to herbivores. The fitness advantage of Bt-based plant protection was apparent in 2004–2005 in half the plants that experienced higher herbivory, and for 2005–2006, was more pronounced in agricultural habitats than in meadows with established, perennial vegetation and less disturbance. Positive effects of Bt-based plant protection and greater fitness in disturbed habitats suggest that crop-wild gene flow may benefit weed populations, and that field tests with herbivore exclusion/addition experiments are feasible alternatives when molecular containment of transgenes restricts field experiments with insect resistant crop-wild hybrids.', 'en_US'),
(3666, 'Gene stacking in transgenic plants: towards compliance between definitions, terminology, and detection within the EU regulatory framework.', 'The combination or stacking of different traits or genes in plants is rapidly gaining popularity in biotech crop production. Here we review the existing terminology regarding gene stacking in plants, and its implications in relation to genetics, biosafety, detectability and European regulations. Different methods of production of stacked gene traits, as well as the status of their cultivation and approval, are reviewed. Related to the different techniques of transformation and production, including classical breeding, and to differences in global authorization and commercialization practices, there are many types, definitions, and perceptions of stacking. These include: (1) stacking of traits and (2) stacking of events, which are the most widely accepted perceptions of stacking, and (3) stacking of genes, which from the analytical and traceability point of view may be a more appropriate perception. These differences in perceptions and definitions are discussed, as are their implications for analytical detection and regulatory compliance according to (in particular) European Union (EU) regulations. A comprehensive terminology regarding gene stacking with regulatory relevance is proposed. The haploid genome equivalent is proposed as the prevailing unit of measurement at all stages throughout the chain, in order to ensure that terminology and definitions of gene stacks are adapted to analytical detection, traceability, and compliance with EU regulations.', 'en_US'),
(3667, 'Investigating recombinant protein exudation from roots of transgenic tobacco.', 'It is widely acknowledged that plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) offer numerous benefits, including inexpensive production, biological safety and the facility for production at agricultural scale. At the same time, it is important to minimize any potential risk associated with this new technology, including the potential release of bioactive proteins into the environment. To address this issue, we studied transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum plants expressing two recombinant single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies, respectively scFvB9 and scFvH10. ScFvB9 was raised against glycoprotein G1 of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), and scFvH10 was raised against human tumor-associated antigen tenascin-C. Both antibodies were targeted to the secretory pathway using the N-terminal signal peptide from Phaseolus vulgaris polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP), and scFvH10 carried in addition a C-terminal KDEL tetrapeptide for retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Sterile hydroponic cultures were established, allowing us to investigate whether scFvB9 and scFvH10 were present in root exudates. Intercellular fluids extracted from different plant tissues were analyzed by western blotting revealing the presence of scFvB9. Successful secretion of scFvB9 in hydroponic medium was also demonstrated, whereas no scFvH10 could be detected in the leaf, stem or root apoplast, nor secreted into the hydroponic medium. Our results show that scFvH10 release or diffusion from the roots of transgenic plants was not occurring, suggesting that the KDEL signal might contribute to the environmental biosafety of crops producing PMPs.', 'en_US'),
(3668, 'Dispersal of viable row-crop seeds of commercial agriculture by farmland birds: implication for genetically modified crops.', 'To address some concerns about the expansion of genetically engineered pharmaceutical and industrial crops to outdoor plantings and potential impacts on the human food supply, we determined whether commercial agriculture seeds of maize or corn Zea mays L., barley Hordeum vulgare L., safflower Carthamus tinctorius L. and rice Oryza sativa L. are digested or pass viably through the digestive tract, or are transported externally, by captive mallard ducks Anas platyrhynchos L., ring-necked pheasants Phasianus colchicus L., red-winged blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus (L.) and rock pigeons Columba livia Gmelin (with the exception of whole maize seeds which were too large to feed to the blackbirds). These crop seeds, whether free-fed or force-fed, did not pass through the digestive tract of these bird species. The birds nonetheless did retain viable seeds in the esophagus/crop and gizzard for several hours. For example, after foraging for 6 h, mallards had retained an average of 228 +/-112 barley seeds and pheasants 192 +/-78 in the esophagus/crop, and their germination rates were 93 and 50%, respectively. Birds externally transported seeds away from the feeding location, but in only four instances were seeds found attached to their muddy feet or legs and in no case to feathers. Risk of such crop seeds germinating, establishing and reproducing off site after transport by a bird (externally or internally) or movement of a carcass by a predator, will depend greatly on the crop and bird species, location, environmental conditions (including soil characteristics), timing, and seed condition.', 'en_US'),
(3669, '9th international symposium on the biosafety of genetically modified organisms-session II: identifying and defining hazards and potential consequences I: concepts for problem formulation and non-target risk assessment.', 'The scientific organizers of the symposium put much emphasis on the identification and definition of hazard and the potential consequences thereof and three full sessions with a total of 13 presentations encompassing a wide range of related themes were planned for this topic. Unfortunately, one talk had to be cancelled because of illness of the speaker (BM Khadi, India). Some presentations covered conceptual approaches for environmental risk assessment (ERA) of GM plants (problem formulation in the risk assessment framework, familiarity approach, tiered and methodological frameworks, non-target risk assessment) and the use of models in assessing invasiveness and weediness of GM plants. Other presentations highlighted the lessons learned for future ERA from case studies and commercialized GM crops, and from monitoring of unintended releases to the environment. When the moderators of the three sessions came together after the presentations to align their summaries, there was an obvious need to restructure the 12 presentations in a way that allowed for a consistent summarizing discussion. The following new organization of the 12 talks was chosen: (1) Concepts for problem formulation and non-target risk assessment (2) Modeling as a tool for predicting invasiveness of GM plants (3) Case-studies of ERA of large-scale release (4) Lessons learned for ERA from a commercialized GM plant (5) Monitoring of unintended release of Bt maize in Mexico. The new thematic structure facilitates a more in-depth discussion of the presentations related to a specific topic, and the conclusions to be drawn are thus more consistent. Each moderator agreed to take responsibility for summarizing one or more themes and to prepare the respective report.', 'en_US'),
(3670, 'Tracing field hybridization in Ryegrass species using microsatellite and morphological markers.', 'We have assessed the utility of morphological and microsatellite markers for tracing field hybridization between Lolium multiflorum and Lolium perenne in cereal-enclosed gene flow plots. The presence of awns on the inflorescence of F1 hybrids was found to be a reliable, but underscoring, indicator of L. multiflorum paternity in L. perenne derived seed as determined by inheritance of species-specific alleles at the microsatellite locus ''H01 H06'' in these progeny. A positive correlation was evident in the experimental treatment between the number of pollen donor plants in a given plot and the frequency of hybrid F1 seed harvested from pollen receptor plants in that plot. These experiments have established the utility of naturally occurring heritable markers for the measurement of gene flow rates in field Ryegrass populations, with particular significance for risk assessment modeling of potential gene flow from transgenic grass cultivars.', 'en_US'),
(3671, 'Hybridization between oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and different populations and species of Raphanus.', 'When cultivating genetically modified varieties, the spontaneous gene flow between crop and wild relatives could be of concern. We analyzed spontaneous hybridization between a transgenic male-sterile line of oilseed rape (Brassica napus, 2n=38, AACC) and, as pollen donors, three European populations of wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum, 2n=18, Rr,Rr) and a variety of cultivated radish (Raphanus sativus, 2n=18, RR). Seeds showed size and shape dimorphism that correlated to the frequency of hybrids. The offspring were scored morphologically and analyzed using DNA markers (inter-simple sequence repeats) to quantify hybrid frequencies. Seed set ranged from 0.4-1.2 seeds per pod, and 0.02-0.6 seeds per pod were confirmed as hybrids. The frequency of confirmed hybrids differed significantly among populations of R. raphanistrum. In the cross with a French population, all offspring were hybrids; in the cross with a Swiss population, 53% of the offspring were hybrids; and in the cross with a Danish population, only 2% of the offspring were found to be hybrids. The remaining offspring apparently belonged to two groups: the majority was B. napus-like plants, possibly of matromorphic origin, and a minority from the Danish cross seemed to carry fragments of the Raphanus genome. In the cross with a cultivated R. sativus, all offspring were found to be hybrids. This is the first report on spontaneous hybridization between B. napus and R. sativus. Hybrids from all cross-combinations had low pollen fertility (0-15%). If R. raphanistrum occurs where male-sterile B. napus is cultivated, large regional differences in hybridization frequencies between the species could complicate environmental risk assessment of transgenic oilseed rape.', 'en_US');
INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3672, 'The responses of crop-wild Brassica hybrids to simulated herbivory and interspecific competition: Implications for transgene introgression.', 'Brassica rapa grows as a wild and weedy species throughout the world and is the most likely recipient of transgenes from GM oilseed rape. For transgene introgression to occur, the critical step which must be realized, is the formation of an F1 hybrid. Concerns exist that hybrid populations could be more vigorous and competitive compared to the parental species. This study examines the effect of simulated herbivory and interspecific competition on the vegetative and reproductive performance of non-transgenic F1 hybrids and their parental lines. Several vegetative and reproductive performance measures were used to determine the effect of simulated herbivory and competition on the Brassica lines, including leaf length and biomass for herbivory and seedling height and biomass for competition. For defoliation experiments, B. rapa showed little response in terms of leaf length but B. napus and the F1 hybrid responded negatively. Brassica rapa showed elevated biomass responses, but B. napus and the hybrid demonstrated negative responses to defoliation. Defoliation at the cotyledon stage had a slight effect upon final biomass with the F1 hybrid performing significantly worse than B. napus, although seed counts were not significantly different. For the series of competition experiments, hybrids seemed to be more similar to B. rapa in terms of early seedling growth and reproductive measures. The underperformance of hybrid plants when challenged by herbivory and competition, could potentially decrease survivorship and explain the rarity of hybrids in field surveys. However, should transgene introgression occur, the dynamics of hybrids could change radically thus increasing the risk of gene flow from a transgenic oilseed rape crop to the wild recipient.', 'en_US'),
(3673, 'Spatial distribution of Aglais urticae (L.) and its host plant Urtica dioica (L.) in an agricultural landscape: implications for Bt maize risk assessment and post-market monitoring.', 'Over the past decades, genes of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Berliner) (Bt) coding for protein toxins have been engineered into maize for protection against the European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.)). However, these transgenic plants may have an impact on non-target organisms. In particular, a potential hazard was identified for non-target lepidopteran larvae, if they consume Bt maize pollen on their host plants. Risk can be defined as a function of the effect of an event (hazard) and the likelihood of this event occurring. Although data on toxicity (hazard) are available from many lab and field studies, knowledge about the environmental exposure of European lepidopteran larvae is incomplete at the population level. Therefore we studied the distribution of small tortoiseshell caterpillars (Aglais urticae (L.)) and its host plant in an agricultural landscape in Germany, to estimate the potential population exposure to maize pollen. The results showed that larvae of the small tortoiseshell developed primarily on freshly sprouted nettle stands (Urtica dioica (L.)) in field margins, rather than adjacent to hedges and groves. However, the main distribution was at margins of cereal (non-maize) fields, where 70% of all larvae were found. This may be due the fact that cereals covered 54% of the survey area, while maize only covered 6.1%. On the other hand, maize fields seem so show higher food plant densities than cereal crops. The results must be interpreted carefully, as the data basis of the present study is very small, and the situation can vary between years due to crop rotation or other changes in agricultural practices. Therefore it is still questionable whether the small tortoiseshell is significantly exposed to maize pollen. For a conclusive risk assessment, more replications and surveys of larger areas in different intensively managed agricultural landscapes over several years are needed.', 'en_US'),
(3674, 'An attempt to identify recombinants between two sobemoviruses in doubly infected oat plants.', 'Recombination in RNA viruses is considered to play a major role as a driving force in virus variability to counterbalance loss in fitness that can be due to the accumulation of detrimental mutations. Studies on mixed infections are pertinent for understanding the role of recombination in virus evolution. They also provide important baseline information for studying the biosafety of plants expressing viral sequences. To investigate the possibility of RNA recombination occurrence between two sobemoviruses under little or no selection pressure, we co-infected test plants with Cocksfoot mottle virus (CfMV) and Ryegrass mottle virus (RGMoV). CfMV and RGMoV were selected because of their overlapping host range and geographical distribution. First, symptom development of both viruses in barley (Hordeum vulgare) and oat (Avena sativa) was examined. Both viruses generated quite strong infection symptoms in oat, but synergism was not detected. RGMoV was lethal for barley, whereas CfMV infection in barley was nearly symptomless. RT-PCR analysis revealed 100% infection with both viruses in oat but not in barley. Therefore, an RNA recombination study of CfMV and RGMoV was performed in oat. 105 plants were co-inoculated with both viruses and putative recombinational hot spot regions were screened for recombination events by RT-PCR analysis at a sensitivity level down to 0.1-100 pg of viral genomic RNA. No recombination events between the two sobemoviruses were detected.', 'en_US'),
(3675, 'Natural variation in crop composition and the impact of transgenesis.', 'Compositional equivalence of crops improved through biotech-derived transgenic, or genetically modified (GM), traits and their conventional (non-GM) comparators is an important criterion in breeding as well as a key aspect of risk assessments of commercial candidates. We present here an analysis evaluated from compositional data on GM corn and GM soybean varieties grown across a range of geographies and growing seasons with the aim of not only assessing the relative impact of transgene insertion on compositional variation in comparison with the effect of environmental factors but also reviewing the implications of these results on the safety assessment process.', 'en_US'),
(3676, 'Peer-reviewed surveys indicate positive impact of commercialized GM crops.', 'The benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops continue to be disputed, despite rapid and widespread adoption since their commercial introduction in the United States and Canada in 1995. Last year, 14 million farmers in 25 countries grew GM crops commercially, over 90% of them small farmers in developing countries.', 'en_US'),
(3677, 'The contraction of agbiotech product quality innovation.', 'Agbiotech innovations that directly benefit users beyond the farm gate—such as nutritional content, ripening control or processing characteristics—have not been commercialized to nearly the same extent as pest-control traits like insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. Product quality or ''output'' traits have been anticipated since the earliest days of plant genetic engineering.', 'en_US'),
(3678, 'Detection of genetically modified organisms—closing the gaps.', 'Precise and accurate detection methods are a prerequisite for reliable control of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on the market. GMO detection laboratories mostly rely on PCR technology or quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to detect genetic elements, the presence of which allows discrimination between GMOs and non-GMOs.', 'en_US'),
(3679, 'Enrichment of tomato fruit with health-promoting anthocyanins by expression of select transcription factors.', 'Dietary consumption of anthocyanins, a class of pigments produced by higher plants, has been associated with protection against a broad range of human diseases. However, anthocyanin levels in the most commonly eaten fruits and vegetables may be inadequate to confer optimal benefits. When we expressed two transcription factors from snapdragon in tomato, the fruit of the plants accumulated anthocyanins at levels substantially higher than previously reported for efforts to engineer anthocyanin accumulation in tomato and at concentrations comparable to the anthocyanin levels found in blackberries and blueberries. Expression of the two transgenes enhanced the hydrophilic antioxidant capacity of tomato fruit threefold and resulted in fruit with intense purple coloration in both peel and flesh. In a pilot test, cancer-susceptible Trp53-/- mice fed a diet supplemented with the high-anthocyanin tomatoes showed a significant extension of life span.', 'en_US'),
(3680, 'Field-evolved resistance to Bt toxins.', 'An article by Tabashnik et al. in your February issue states that, for the first time, the frequency of resistant alleles has increased substantially and that there is field-evolved Bacillus thuringiensis toxin (Bt) resistance in bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), in the United States because of the extensive use of Bt cotton. Tabashnik et al.H.', 'en_US'),
(3681, 'Trace and traceability—a call for regulatory harmony.', 'Genetically modified (GM) crops were grown commercially in 23 countries in 2007, with a further 29 allowing the import of GM crops for food and/or feed use and release into the environment. Despite encouraging evidence concerning the positive socioeconomic and environmental benefits brought about by the adoption of GM technology, we wish to highlight the fact that further development is being hampered by a lack of harmonization among national regulatory frameworks relating to research, biosafety and to the trade and use of GM crops.', 'en_US'),
(3682, 'Insect resistance to Bt crops: evidence versus theory.', 'Evolution of insect resistance threatens the continued success of transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins that kill pests. The approach used most widely to delay insect resistance to Bt crops is the refuge strategy, which requires refuges of host plants without Bt toxins near Bt crops to promote survival of susceptible pests. However, large-scale tests of the refuge strategy have been problematic. Analysis of more than a decade of global monitoring data reveals that the frequency of resistance alleles has increased substantially in some field populations of Helicoverpa zea, but not in five other major pests in Australia, China, Spain and the United States. The resistance of H. zea to Bt toxin Cry1Ac in transgenic cotton has not caused widespread crop failures, in part because other tactics augment control of this pest. The field outcomes documented with monitoring data are consistent with the theory underlying the refuge strategy, suggesting that refuges have helped to delay resistance.', 'en_US'),
(3683, 'Folate fortification of rice by metabolic engineering.', 'Rice, the world''s major staple crop, is a poor source of essential micronutrients, including folates (vitamin B9). We report folate biofortification of rice seeds achieved by overexpressing two Arabidopsis thaliana genes of the pterin and para-aminobenzoate branches of the folate biosynthetic pathway from a single locus. We obtained a maximal enhancement as high as 100 times above wild type, with 100 g of polished raw grains containing up to four times the adult daily folate requirement.', 'en_US'),
(3684, 'Silencing a cotton bollworm P450 monooxygenase gene by plant-mediated RNAi impairs larval tolerance of gossypol.', 'We identify a cytochrome P450 gene (CYP6AE14) from cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), which permits this herbivore to tolerate otherwise inhibitory concentrations of the cotton metabolite, gossypol. CYP6AE14 is highly expressed in the midgut and its expression correlates with larval growth when gossypol is included in the diet. When larvae are fed plant material expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific to CYP6AE14, levels of this transcript in the midgut decrease and larval growth is retarded. Both effects are more dramatic in the presence of gossypol. As a glutathione-S-transferase gene (GST1) is silenced in GST1 dsRNA–expressing plants, feeding insects plant material expressing dsRNA may be a general strategy to trigger RNA interference and could find applications in entomological research and field control of insect pests.', 'en_US'),
(3685, 'The status of GM rice R and D in China.', 'Rice products originating from China have recently encountered trade restrictions in Europe because of concerns over the presence of unapproved genetically modified (GM) rice expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin. As Beijing is currently considering the first market authorizations for several GM rice varieties, and detailed information on GM rice development in China remains difficult to access, we have undertaken a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the current status of GM rice R&D in the country.', 'en_US'),
(3686, 'Fatal flaws in agbiotech regulatory policies.', 'The major national regulatory regimes for agbiotech products fail to satisfy scientific legitimacy on several counts.', 'en_US'),
(3687, 'Legal aspects of the protection of transgenic cultivars.', 'Transgenic cultivars are obtained by the introduction of genes from different species directly into the plant genome. On the one hand these cultivars represent a major advance in genetic improvement, and on the other can contribute to a real monopoly in the seed market owing to the existing legal systems of protection. Of great interest in respect of the development of transgenic cultivars is the process of patenting biotechnology products under Brazilian Industrial Property Law. Theoretically, the patent holder of a transgenic gene could control all cultivars into which the gene is introduced. One way of preventing this has been the institution in Brazil of the Plant Cultivar Protection Act. Both these bills give the patent holders and the holders of the cultivars the right to receive royalties on the use and/or commercialization of patented or protected material. Therefore, transgenic crops can, in a sense, be covered by two laws, which has sometimes led to conflicts. However, only the process and the biotechnology products involved in the production of genetically modified organisms and not the transgenic cultivar obtained can be patented. The cultivar itself is only protected under the Plant Cultivar Protection Act after issuance of a conclusive technical opinion by CTNBio (the Brazilian National Technical Commission on Biosafety). After that, seed can be marketed in the country, although it must be registered in the National Register of Plant Cultivars. Details are included of certified conventional and transgenic cultivars of a large range of Brazilian crops, and of the effect of royalties on the final product cost of protected cultivars.', 'en_US'),
(3688, 'Biosafety and society.', 'Biosafety constitutes all studies and procedures designed to prevent or control hazards caused by the use of chemical, physical and biological agents to biodiversity. The specific study of the impacts of biotechnology on human and animal health and the environment is governed in various countries by laws, procedures or specific policies. In Brazil, the National Technical Commission on Biosafety (CTNBio) is a collegiate multidisciplinary authority created by Law no. 11.105 of 24 March 2005, which aims to provide support and technical consultancy and advisory services to the Brazilian federal government on (i) the formulation, updating and implementation of the national policy on biosafety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and (ii) the establishment of technical safety standards and the provision of technical advice regarding the protection of human health, living organisms and the environment, in relation to activities involving all aspects of GMOs and their products (development, experimentation, cultivation, manipulation, transport, marketing, consumption, storage, release, disposal). Biosafety legislation in Brazil comprises only the technology of genetic engineering, and that of recombinant DNA\r\ntechnology, and the establishment of requirements for the handling of GMOs.\r\n', 'en_US'),
(3689, 'Assessing biosafety of GM plants containing lectins.', 'The introduction of genetic engineering has already shown its benefits in transferring genes into crop plants and conferring resistance towards pests. Most of these crop plants on the market have been transformed with the cry genes from Bacillus species, conferring resistance towards certain insects. However, since the cry genes are not active against all insects, e.g. sap-sucking insects, other genes coding for proteins such as lectins show promise of complementing the cry genes for insect resistance. As with other novel plants, lectin-expressing plants will need to be assessed for their potential risks to human and animal health and the environment. The expressed lectin protein should be assessed on its own for potential toxicity and allergenicity as for any other new protein. Although not many lectins have been thoroughly tested for their toxicity, our evaluation suggests that most of the lectins that are potentially useful for insect resistance will pose no health risk in genetically modified (GM) plants. Since some lectins are known for their toxicity to humans, the insertion of lectin genes in food crop plants will have to be assessed carefully. It is expected that in some cases there will be a need to perform animal tests of such GM plants in order to eliminate any uncertainties about potential safety issues for these plants. A 90-day study designed and optimized for this purpose is suggested as one way to cope with these uncertainties.', 'en_US'),
(3690, 'Bt plants and effects on soil micro-organisms.', 'The continued and increasing adoption of genetically modified plants (GMPs) in agriculture has raised both perspectives on increasing the productivity and some concern over their potential effects on the environment, especially on soil. These effects include unintentional changes in the chemical compositions of root exudates, and the direct or indirect effects of transgenic plants on non-target species of soil micro-organisms that have a key role in the maintenance of soil quality and environmental sustainability. Therefore any change to the quality of crop residues and rhizosphere inputs could modify the dynamics of the composition and activity of organisms in soil. One of the most common transgenic traits in commercial GMPs is insect resistance based on the expression of Cry toxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and it is crucial that risk assessment studies on the use of Bt crops consider the impacts on micro-organisms in soil. This review summarizes the results of most of the studies that have been conducted to specifically test the effects of Bt plants on soil microbial communities, and examines the role of soil properties as one of the most important factors to be considered to study the interactions between micro-organisms and Bt plants. Most studies suggest that the Bt plants that have been released for commercial purposes could cause small changes in microbial communities and these are often transient in duration. However, experimental results are often contrasting and, given our limited knowledge of the soil system and the linkage with the soil microbial community''s diversity and function, more work needs to be done on a case-by-case basis to further evaluate the effects of Bt plants on soil micro-organisms and soil ecosystem functions.', 'en_US'),
(3691, 'Studies on insect diversity related to genetically engineered vitamin A rice under large scale production.', 'This study was carried out to develop of macro-protocol and the biosafety guide for ''Nakdong'', and ''Golden Rice'' (genetically modified vitamin A rice) by large scale field trial of GM crops. Typically, when a new GM crop is created, breeders should conduct field test to make sure the GM crop is safe, and provide some information on GM crops for approval. A total of isolated 4,700 m field for trial of GM crops were prepared, and ''Nakdong'' and ''Golden rice'' were cultivated by standard method of RDA (Rural Development Administration, Korea). Field studies indicated that the population densities of insect pests and natural enemies have no difference between two varieties. While insect pest density on ''Nakdong'' was slightly higher than on Golden Rice, but natural enemy density on Golden Rice was a little higher. These results provided the insect diversity for risk assessment analysis of Golden Rice and suggested that the macro-protocol could be useful to detect GM plants.', 'en_US'),
(3692, 'Insights into the biotech policy and Europeans tendency.', 'This paper reviews the evolution of biotechnology policies and legislation in the European Union, focusing on genetically modified crops as a major biotechnological breakthrough. Policies that aim to address biosafety issues associated with transgenic crops are discussed. A case study on the political and legislative aspects of the release of maize MON810 in Austria is presented.', 'en_US'),
(3693, 'Development and validation of atmospheric gene flow model for assessing environmental risks from transgenic corn crops.', 'Pollen-mediated gene flow from genetically modified plants to non-target plants is a concern of crop growers, seed companies, the general public, and the scientific communities. Although there have been descriptive and mechanistic models to describe pollen dispersion, there has rarely been a comprehensive mechanistic model to dynamically simulate pollen release, dispersion, and deposition and to finally relate them to the gene flow (outcrossing). This research developed and validated such a comprehensive mechanistic model for corn crop gene flow risk management. Dynamic pollen dispersion and deposition were predicted by a 3-D random walk model according to inputs of weather data and plant and domain characteristics. Actual gene flow (outcrossing ratio) was obtained according to predicted grand total deposition flux at silk height during the whole pollination season. The model was validated by experimental data and was appropriate to predict gene flow with acceptable accuracy under different atmospheric and environmental conditions; on average, the ratios of measured and simulated values ranged from 0.82 to 1.21, while R2 ranged from 0.56 to 0.68. The model can be easily adapted for other genetically modified crops.', 'en_US'),
(3694, 'Estimating western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larval susceptibility to event DAS-59122-7 maize.', 'Susceptibility of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (LeConte) larvae to DAS-59122-7 maize was evaluated using a laboratory technique that measures rootworm survival to adulthood on maize seedlings. This method produces direct measures of larval susceptibility using realistic exposure to the same range of insecticidal protein concentrations found in field-grown DAS-59122-7 maize roots. First, second and third instars were reared to adulthood on DAS-59122-7 maize seedlings or a non-transgenic, near-isoline maize. Data on survival, adult gender ratio, adult weight and median emergence were collected. Overall, larval susceptibility to DAS-59122-7 maize was lower than earlier predictions (Storer et al. 2006). Neonate survival on DAS-59122-7 maize was approximately 33% of isoline survival after 17 days, and the same 33% recovered and developed to adulthood when the isoline maize was substituted. Survival rate on DAS-59122-7 maize increased with instar. The mean survivorship was 0.5%, 26% and 65% when exposure to DAS-59122-7 maize began at the first, second and third instars, respectively. Exposure to DAS-59122-7 maize led to sub-lethal effects on adult gender ratio, weight and median emergence. These effects decreased when exposure to DAS-59122-7 maize began at later instars. The killing effect of DAS-59122-7 maize on rootworm larvae appeared to result from the combined chronic effects and absence of a suitable host as perceived by the larvae. The relevance of these data and the methodology of estimating rootworm susceptibility to plant-incorporated protectants are discussed in the context of the US Environmental Protection Agency''s functional definition of ''high dose'' and use of refuge for resistance management (EPA 1998a). Based on these results it is evident that DAS-59122-7 maize does not meet the functional definitions of high dose as described by EPA (1998a,b) and ILSI (1999), and the utility of refuge, refuge size and refuge placement for delaying rootworm resistance should be further investigated.', 'en_US'),
(3695, 'High susceptibility of Bt maize to aphids enhances the performance of parasitoids of lepidopteran pests.', 'Concerns about possible undesired environmental effects of transgenic crops have prompted numerous evaluations of such crops. So-called Bt crops receive particular attention because they carry bacteria-derived genes coding for insecticidal proteins that might negatively affect non-target arthropods. Here we show a remarkable positive effect of Bt maize on the performance of the corn leaf aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis, which in turn enhanced the performance of parasitic wasps that feed on aphid honeydew. Within five out of six pairs that were evaluated, transgenic maize lines were significantly more susceptible to aphids than their near-isogenic equivalents, with the remaining pair being equally susceptible. The aphids feed from the phloem sieve element content and analyses of this sap in selected maize lines revealed marginally, but significantly higher amino acid levels in Bt maize, which might partially explain the observed increased aphid performance. Larger colony densities of aphids on Bt plants resulted in an increased production of honeydew that can be used as food by beneficial insects. Indeed, Cotesia marginiventris, a parasitoid of lepidopteran pests, lived longer and parasitized more pest caterpillars in the presence of aphid-infested Bt maize than in the presence of aphid-infested isogenic maize. Hence, depending on aphid pest thresholds, the observed increased susceptibility of Bt maize to aphids may be either a welcome or an undesirable side effect.', 'en_US'),
(3696, 'A meta-analysis of effects of Bt crops on honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae).', 'Background -- Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are the most important pollinators of many agricultural crops worldwide and are a key test species used in the tiered safety assessment of genetically engineered insect-resistant crops. There is concern that widespread planting of these transgenic crops could harm honey bee populations. Methodology/Principal Findings -- We conducted a meta-analysis of 25 studies that independently assessed potential effects of Bt Cry proteins on honey bee survival (or mortality). Our results show that Bt Cry proteins used in genetically modified crops commercialized for control of lepidopteran and coleopteran pests do not negatively affect the survival of either honey bee larvae or adults in laboratory settings. Conclusions/Significance -- Although the additional stresses that honey bees face in the field could, in principle, modify their susceptibility to Cry proteins or lead to indirect effects, our findings support safety assessments that have not detected any direct negative effects of Bt crops for this vital insect pollinator.', 'en_US'),
(3697, 'Survey of genetically modified organisms in the European Union and the Republic of Croatia.', 'According to the definition of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC 2001) adopted by the ''Cartagena protocol on biological safety'' modern biotechnology is defined as in vitro application of nucleic acids modification technique including recombinant deoxiribonucleic acid (DNA). Application of modern technology in food production poses new possibilities and challenges for the health of people and for economic development as well.', 'en_US'),
(3698, 'Adverse interactions between micro-RNAs and target genes from different species.', 'It is commonly assumed but not proven that microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets coevolve. Under this assumption, miRNAs and targets from different species may interact adversely, resulting in reduced fitness. However, the strength of the adverse interactions may not be detectable because even outright deletions of miRNAs often manifest only subtle fitness effects. We tested and measured the strength of heterospecific interactions by carrying out transgenic experiments across Drosophila species by overexpressing the miR310s cluster of Drosophila melanogaster (Dm310s) and Drosophila pseudoobscura (Dp310s) in D. melanogaster. Flies overexpressing the heterospecific Dp310s are only one-third as viable as those overexpressing the conspecific Dm310s. The viability effect is easily detectable in comparison to the effect of the deletion of miR310s. The number of genes significantly misexpressed under the influence of Dp310s is 3-10 times greater than under Dm310s. Importantly, the numbers of predicted targets are similar between them. Expression analysis of the predicted target genes suggests that miRNAs may sometimes function to buffer fluctuations in the transcriptome output. After the buffering function has evolved, heterospecific combinations may cause adverse effects.', 'en_US'),
(3699, 'PCR detection method for genetically modified ingredient in honey.', 'Cotton is one of the major honey-source plants. There are mostly genetically modified cotton has been planted in China, in recent years. It raises a concern in consumer wether there are any genetically modified organism in honey. In this research, we used phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to separate high amount of polysaccharide from honey, and improved the concentration of NaCl in extraction buffer to remove the residual polysaccharide, average DNA yield is 486 ng/mL, the ratio of OD260/OD280 is 2.01, and the extracted DNA can meet the requirements of follow-up qualitative PCR testing. The foreign DNA from genetically modified cotton source honey has been detected by PCR. This research would be helpful to improve regulations on genetically modified foods labeling, supervise genetically modified food, reduce trade friction, and protect consumer rights.', 'en_US'),
(3700, 'Baseline sensitivity of lepidopteran corn pests in India to Cry1Ab insecticidal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis.', 'BACKGROUND: Genetically engineered corn (Bt corn) expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner insecticidal protein Cry1Ab is a biotechnological option being considered for management of lepidopteran corn pests in India. As a resistance management practice it was essential to determine the sensitivity of multiple populations of the stalk borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe), pink borer Sesamia inferens (Walker) and the cob borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) to Cry1Ab protein through bioassays. The insect populations were collected during growing seasons of Rabi 2005 (October 2005 to February 2006) and Kharif 2006 (May to September 2006). RESULTS: Multiple populations of the three lepidopteran corn pests were found to be susceptible to Cry1Ab. Median lethal concentrations (LC50) ranged between 0.008 and 0.068 microg Cry1Ab mL-1 diet for 18 populations of C. partellus (across two seasons), between 0.12 and 1.99 microg mL-1 for seven populations of H. armigera and between 0.46 and 0.56 microg mL-1 for two populations of S. inferens. CONCLUSION: Dose-response concentrations for lethality and growth inhibition have been determined to mark baseline sensitivity of multiple populations of key lepidopteran corn pests in India to Cry1Ab protein. These benchmark values will be referenced while monitoring resistance to Cry1Ab should Bt corn hybrids expressing Cry1Ab be approved for commercial cultivation in India.', 'en_US'),
(3701, 'Labels for GM foods: what can they do?', 'Labelling of genetically modified foods is a contentious issue and internationally there is sharp division on whether such labels ought to be mandatory. This debate has reached India where the government has proposed mandatory labels. Mandatory labelling aims to provide greater information and correspondingly more informed consumer choice. However, even without such laws, markets have incentives to supply labels. So can mandatory labelling achieve outcomes different from the voluntary type? The paper argues that this is not the case in most situations. It goes on to explore the special set of circumstances, where mandatory labels make a difference to outcomes. If these outcomes are intended, mandatory labelling is justified; otherwise not. Although the Indian context provides the motivation, the core arguments given are general and applicable to other country contexts as well.', 'en_US'),
(3702, 'Long-term feeding of genetically modified corn (MON810) -- Fate of cry1Ab DNA and recombinant protein during the metabolism of the dairy cow.', 'The objective of this study was to investigate the fate of transgenic cry1Ab DNA and the encoded Cry1Ab protein during the metabolic degradation of dietary feed components in dairy cows and a potential transfer to blood, milk, feces or urine. A 25-month long-term feeding trial was conducted on thirty-six Simmentaler cows allocated in two groups fed diets containing either genetically modified corn (MON810, N=18) or the near-isogenic corn variety (N=18). The nutrients and energy contents of both maize varieties were comparable, ensuring equivalent feed conditions. Due to infertility or other production associated diseases, nine cows per group had to be culled and were replaced by heifers. Feed samples were collected weekly, whereas samples for feces, blood and milk were collected monthly, urine samples were taken bimonthly. All samples were analyzed for cry1Ab DNA by means of end-point PCR (feces, blood, urine) and quantitative real-time PCR (feed, milk). A sensitive and highly specific ELISA, optimized to quantify immunoreactive fragments of the Cry1Ab protein, was used to determine the recombinant protein in the collected samples. Non-transgenic feed samples were free of recombinant DNA and protein within the limit of detection, while in transgenic feed samples both, a 206 bp fragment of cry1Ab and immunoreactive fragments of the Cry1Ab protein were present. In contrast, all blood, milk and urine samples were free of recombinant DNA and protein. The cry1Ab gene was not detected in any fecal sample, whereas immunoreactive fragments of the Cry1Ab protein were detected in feces from all cows fed transgenic feed. Milk of dairy cows fed genetically modified corn for 25 months should be classified not different from milk of cows fed non-transgenic corn.', 'en_US'),
(3703, 'Dominant negative mutants of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab toxin function as anti-toxins: demonstration of the role of oligomerization in toxicity.', 'Background: Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins, that are used worldwide in insect control, kill insects by a mechanism that depends on their ability to form oligomeric pores that insert into the insect-midgut cells. These toxins are being used worldwide in transgenic plants or spray to control insect pests in agriculture. However, a major concern has been the possible effects of these insecticidal proteins on non-target organisms mainly in ecosystems adjacent to agricultural fields. Methodology/Principal Findings: We isolated and characterized 11 non-toxic mutants of Cry1Ab toxin affected in different steps of the mechanism of action namely binding to receptors, oligomerization and pore-formation. These mutant toxins were analyzed for their capacity to block wild type toxin activity, presenting a dominant negative phenotype. The dominant negative phenotype was analyzed at two levels, in vivo by toxicity bioassays against susceptible Manduca sexta larvae and in vitro by pore formation activity in black lipid bilayers. We demonstrate that some mutations located in helix alpha-4 completely block the wild type toxin activity at sub-stoichiometric level confirming a dominant negative phenotype, thereby functioning as potent antitoxins. Conclusions/Significance: This is the first reported case of a Cry toxin dominant inhibitor. These data demonstrate that oligomerization is a fundamental step in Cry toxin action and represent a potential mechanism to protect special ecosystems from the possible effect of Cry toxins on non-target organisms.', 'en_US'),
(3704, 'Dispersal of transgenes through maize seed systems in Mexico.', 'Objectives: Current models of transgene dispersal focus on gene flow via pollen while neglecting seed, a vital vehicle for gene flow in centers of crop origin and diversity. We analyze the dispersal of maize transgenes via seeds in Mexico, the crop''s cradle. Methods: We use immunoassays (ELISA) to screen for the activity of recombinant proteins in a nationwide sample of farmer seed stocks. We estimate critical parameters of seed population dynamics using household survey data and combine these estimates with analytical results to examine presumed sources and mechanisms of dispersal. Results: Recombinant proteins Cry1Ab/Ac and CP4/EPSPS were found in 3.1% and 1.8% of samples, respectively. They are most abundant in southeast Mexico but also present in the west-central region. Diffusion of seed and grain imported from the United States might explain the frequency and distribution of transgenes in west-central Mexico but not in the southeast. Conclusions: Understanding the potential for transgene survival and dispersal should help design methods to regulate the diffusion of germplasm into local seed stocks. Further research is needed on the interactions between formal and informal seed systems and grain markets in centers of crop origin and diversification.', 'en_US'),
(3705, 'Compared biology and behavior of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on BollgardTM and non-transgenic isoline cotton.', 'The two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a nontarget herbivore of Bt-cotton, but acquires and accumulates higher levels of Cry toxin than that expressed by transgenic plants. This work investigated the development and reproduction of T. urticae and of the predator Phytoseiulus macropilis Banks, during three successive generations looking for potential nontarget effect. In addition, behavioral studies on feeding preference, oviposition, and predation were carried out on Bt and non-Bt cottons. The development and reproduction of T. urticae and P. macropilis was conducted using leaf discs of Bt and non-Bt cottons. Arena containing leaf discs from both cotton types connected by a slide coverslip were also used in the behavioral studies. Averages of the three generations showed that the Bt-cotton does not affect the development, survival of immature stages, and reproductive output of T. urticae and of the predator P. macropilis. Furthermore, the preference for feeding and oviposition of T. urticae and P. macropilis were similar on both cotton types. In addition, P. macropilis exhibited similar predatory behavior on T. urticae fed on both cotton types. Levels of Cry1Ac toxin in T. urticae was 3.97 times greater than that found in the Bt-cotton plants as determined using a ELISA test. Despite of the amount of toxin acquired by the prey (T. urticae), no detectable levels of Cry1Ac were found in the predatory mite P. macropilis.', 'en_US'),
(3706, 'Evaluation of Spodoptera complex behavior with the introduction of transgenic cotton in Tolima, Colombia.', 'In this study a record and an evaluation of the Spodoptera larvae complex (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of commercial transgenic cotton (Cry1Ac) planted in the central area of Tolima, Colombia were registered. During three plant developmental stages: vegetative, reproductive and maturity, 83 commercial plots with areas ranging from 1 to 10 hectares, were evaluated. Spodoptera complex (Spodoptera frugiperda, S. ornithogalli y S. sunia) activity was evaluated in 315 ha, sampling seven plants per hectare, including refuges (12,6 ha), taking into account three different larvae sizes, small &lt; 0.5 cm, medium &gt; 0.5 and &lt; 1.5 cm and large &gt; 1.5 cm, as well as their location in the plant (leaf, flower and structure). There were statistically significant relationships between the larvae incidence (percentage of cotton plants with Spodoptera larvae present) and the different cotton genetic materials, with a significant higher larvae incidence in the transgenic plants (11,98% SE 4,03) than in conventional plants (9,13% SE 3.08) (0,0021*). This tendency was also observed among Spodoptera complex species, both genetic materials and the three plant developmental stages. S. frugiperda prevailed in flowers and capsules, S. ornithogalli in leaves and flowers; and S. sunia in leaves. This pattern was observed in both genetic materials with statistical significance (0.0001*). Larvae of all sizes were recorded in plants of both genetic materials; although there was no statistically significative dependency. Finally, there were small, medium and large S. frugiperda larvae in flowers and capsules, structures where the Bt toxin expression is the lowest in the plant.', 'en_US'),
(3707, 'Weed control in glyphosate tolerant soybean crop.', 'This work evaluated the weed control in glyphosate tolerant soybean crop without additional management practices. Two experiments were carried out under field conditions in the agricultural years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 in Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. It was tested two glyphosate-tolerant varieties (CD 214 RR and M-SOY 8008 RR), eight herbicide treatments (Roundup Ready, single spraying at rates of 0.48; 0.72; 0.96 and 1.20 kg ha-1 of glyphosate acid equivalent, associates or not to sequential spraying at 0.48 kg ha-1), and two controls (one under mechanical control and one untreated control). Soybean varieties influenced the infestation of weed species. Xanthium strumarium was predominant in control treatments, reducing the occurrence of other weeds species. Independently of the dose, glyphosate sprayings resulted in low infestations 35 and 40 days after the first spraying, in the first and second year, respectively. The weed control in transgenic soybean is directly influenced for the glyphosate rate, having satisfactory control with the single application at 0.96 kg ha-1 or sequential at 0.48 plus 0.48 kg ha-1 of glyphosate. Under lesser infestation conditions (2006/2007), the single application at 0.48 kg ha-1 of glyphosate is enough for weed control. The varieties of transgenic soybean CD 214 RR and M-SOY 8008 RR distinguishing influence the dynamics of the weed species. The chemical control is more effective in the M-SOY 8008 RR, where it had minor diversity and development of the weed.', 'en_US'),
(3708, 'Physiological performance of soybean seeds from conventional and transgenic cultivars treated with glyphosate.', 'The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds from conventional (cultivar CD 216) and transgenic (cultivar CD 212RR) soybeans treated with glyphosate. Seeds were soaked in dosages of zero; 1.8; 3.6; 5.4 and 7.2 g.L-1 of acid equivalent of glyphosate for 30 minutes. Seed quality was evaluated from the tests of first count germination, germination, electrical conductivity, emergence speed index, seedling emergence, root and shoot length and total dry matter. It was concluded that the physiological quality of the CD 212RR seeds is affected by glyphosate and as dosages increased, soybean seed quality decreased. Based on this conclusion, it is important that care be taken to avoid problems with seed germination and soybean field establishment when glyphosate is used in burndown or for the control of cover crops. A certain period of time between the control of weeds or of cover plants should be respected to reduce the glyphosate transfer from target to non-target plants, thus avoiding problems with germination and soybean crop establishment.', 'en_US'),
(3709, 'No unintended impacts of transgenic pine (Pinus radiata) trees on above ground invertebrate communities.', 'As part of an investigation into the potential unintended ecological impacts of transgenic trees, invertebrates were sampled from a field trial of transgenic Pinus radiata D. Don carrying the expressed antibiotic resistance marker gene neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) along with other genes known to affect reproductive development in plants and from nontransformed control trees. Invertebrate species abundance, richness, diversity, and composition were measured and compared among trees of five different transclones and nontransformed isogenic control trees. Invertebrates were sampled at six-monthly intervals over a period of 2 yr. In total, 19,162 individuals were collected comprising 279 invertebrate recognizable taxonomic units. Total invertebrate populations as well as populations of herbivorous lepidopteran larvae and Hemiptera were compared among transgenic and control trees. The results show that the transclones had no significant unintended influence on species abundance, richness, diversity, or composition for all populations investigated.', 'en_US'),
(3710, 'Laboratory and field assessments of prey-mediated effects of transgenic Bt rice on Ummeliata insecticeps (Araneida: Linyphiidae).', 'One major concern regarding the release of Bt rice is its potential impact through tritrophic interactions on nontarget arthropods, especially natural enemies. We studied the effects of two Bt transgenic rice varieties, TT9-3 and KMD1, expressing Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab, respectively, on a predatory ground spider Ummeliata insecticeps (Bosenberg et Strand) supplied with Bt rice-fed brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) nymphs. Although immunoassays confirmed that U. insecticeps ingested Bt insecticidal protein when supplied with Bt rice-fed N. lugens, no negative effects were found on its survival and development. Furthermore, the fecundity of U. insecticeps fed prey reared on Bt rice was not significantly different from that of those fed prey reared on non-Bt rice. A3-yr field trial indicated that Bt rice did not significantly affect the population density of U. insecticeps in comparison with non-Bt rice. In conclusion, the Bt rice lines tested in this study had no adverse effects on the survival, developmental time, or fecundity of U. insecticeps in the laboratory or on population dynamics in the field.', 'en_US'),
(3711, 'Effects of transgenic Bt cotton on the population density, oviposition behavior, development, and reproduction of a nontarget pest, Adelphocoris suturalis (Hemiptera: Miridae).', 'Transgenic cotton has shown great promise for the control of target pest insects; however, frequent outbreaks of nontarget pest mirids has been recorded in recent years in northern China. To test the hypothesis that transgenic cotton contributes to nontarget pest outbreaks, we studied the impact of transgenic Bt cottons (both Bt and Bt+CpTI) on the fitness of nontarget pest Adelphocoris suturalis Jakovlev. No significant differences were detected between population densities of A. suturalis in unsprayed nontransgenic cottons and in unsprayed transgenic Bt cottons in 2007, 2008, and 2009. No difference in preferred oviposition site or egg production was detected between transgenic and nontransgenic cottons in both free choice and no choice tests. No difference in life table parameters was detected for A. suturalis between Bt cottons and nontransgenic cottons. All these results indicated that transgenic crops did not contribute to the nontarget pest outbreaks when being compared with their parental lines. The possible reasons for intensified pest status of A. suturalis, such as decrease of pesticide application, deficient natural enemies, and area-wide shift of cotton varieties, were discussed.', 'en_US');
INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3712, 'AllerHunter: a SVM-pairwise system for assessment of allergenicity and allergic cross-reactivity in proteins.', 'Allergy is a major health problem in industrialized countries. The number of transgenic food crops is growing rapidly creating the need for allergenicity assessment before they are introduced into human food chain. While existing bioinformatic methods have achieved good accuracies for highly conserved sequences, the discrimination of allergens and non-allergens from allergen-like non-allergen sequences remains difficult. We describe AllerHunter, a web-based computational system for the assessment of potential allergenicity and allergic cross-reactivity in proteins. It combines an iterative pairwise sequence similarity encoding scheme with SVM as the discriminating engine. The pairwise vectorization framework allows the system to model essential features in allergens that are involved in cross-reactivity, but not limited to distinct sets of physicochemical properties. The system was rigorously trained and tested using 1,356 known allergen and 13,449 putative non-allergen sequences. Extensive testing was performed for validation of the prediction models. The system is effective for distinguishing allergens and non-allergens from allergen-like non-allergen sequences. Testing results showed that AllerHunter, with a sensitivity of 83.4% and specificity of 96.4% (accuracy=95.3%, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve AROC=0.928 +- 0.004 and Matthew''s correlation coefficient MCC=0.738), performs significantly better than a number of existing methods using an independent dataset of 1443 protein sequences. AllerHunter is available at http://tiger.dbs.nus.edu.sg/AllerHunter.', 'en_US'),
(3713, 'Toxicity of chlorantraniliprole to Cry1Ac-susceptible and resistant strains of Helicoverpa armigera.', 'Transgenic Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac is important in controlling various agricultural pests, including Helicoverpa armigera. Especially for transgenic crops that are cultivated in large expanses, avoiding resistance development is a key for ensuring sustainability of Bt technologies. Integrated pest management, in which transgenic crops are strategically combined with rational pesticide use, may help to prevent H. armigera resistance acquisition in Bt cotton. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of a novel insecticide (chlorantraniliprole) on Cry1Ac-susceptible and resistant individuals of H. armigera. More specifically, we assessed the effect of chlorantraniliprole on the activity of two enzymes and conducted laboratory bioassays to determine its toxicity on H. armigera larvae. Chlorantraniliprole increased esterase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in Cry1Ac susceptible and resistant populations of H. armigera. Cry1Ac resistant populations XJ-F (Cry1Ac resistance ratio 21.8-fold), XJ-10.0 (95.8-fold) and BTR (3536.5-fold) did not show cross-resistance to chlorantraniliprole, with LC50 values of 0.0733 (microg/mL) in XJ-F, 0.0545 (microg/ml) in XJ-10.0 and 0.0731 (microg/mL) in BTR, which were close to that in the susceptible strain 96S (0.0954 microg/mL). Our work shows that chlorantraniliprole could be considered to be integrated in Bt cotton management schemes to delay the H. armigera resistance development.', 'en_US'),
(3714, 'Stability of transgene expression as a challenge for genetic engineering.', 'The major genetic factors affecting the expression of newly introduced genes in transgenic plants including epigenetic effects are summarized. Examples of (trans)gene silencing and the genetic signals involved are given. Based on current knowledge, several strategies to generate stable transgenic lines can be followed. Although initial laboratory and field tests over few generations allow good predictions about the long-term expression stability of single transgenic lines, the combination of different events by genetic crossing raises new questions. As different transgenic lines often carry the same or similar promoter elements and as coding regions may have sequence homologies, new epigenetic interactions can arise, thus justifying thorough expression testing of stacked transformation events obtained through cross-breeding.', 'en_US'),
(3715, 'Historical and contemporary gene dispersal in wild carrot (Daucus carota ssp. carota) populations.', 'Background and Aims: Wild carrot is the ancestor of cultivated carrot and is the most important gene pool for carrot breeding. Transgenic carrot may be released into the environment in the future. The aim of the present study was to determine how far a gene can disperse in wild carrot populations, facilitating risk assessment and management of transgene introgression from cultivated to wild carrots and helping to design sampling strategies for germplasm collections. Methods: Wild carrots were sampled from Meijendel and Alkmaar in The Netherlands and genotyped with 12 microsatellite markers. Spatial autocorrelation analyses were used to detect spatial genetic structures (SGSs). Historical gene dispersal estimates were based on an isolation by distance model. Mating system and contemporary pollen dispersal were estimated using 437 offspring of 20 mothers with different spatial distances and a correlated paternity analysis in the Meijendel population. Key Results: Significant SGSs are found in both populations and they are not significantly different from each other. Combined SGS analysis indicated significant positive genetic correlations up to 27 m. Historical gene dispersal sigmag and neighbourhood size Nb were estimated to be 4-12 m 95% confidence interval (CI): 3-25 and 42-73 plants (95% CI: 28-322) in Meijendel and 10-31 m (95% CI: 7-) and 57-198 plants (95% CI: 28-) in Alkmaar with longer gene dispersal in lower density populations. Contemporary pollen dispersal follows a fat-tailed exponential-power distribution, implying pollen of wild carrots could be dispersed by insects over long distance. The estimated outcrossing rate was 96%. Conclusions: SGSs in wild carrots may be the result of high outcrossing, restricted seed dispersal and long-distance pollen dispersal. High outcrossing and long-distance pollen dispersal suggest high frequency of transgene flow might occur from cultivated to wild carrots and that they could easily spread within and between populations.', 'en_US'),
(3716, 'Towards flexible coexistence regulations for GM crops in the EU.', 'The European Union (EU) is currently facing a challenge that might unnecessarily hamper the adoption of GM crops: regulating the coexistence of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM crops. Member states are currently implementing or developing both ex ante coexistence regulations and ex post liability schemes to ensure that both GM and non-GM crops can be cultivated in the EU. In this article, we explore in detail how national and/or regional policymakers can build in a certain degree of flexibility in ex ante coexistence regulations in order to reduce the regulatory burden on certain agricultural options and avoid jeopardising the economic incentives for coexistence. We use the example of GM maize as a case study, being the only GM crop planted over a significant area in the EU. We conclude that flexibility could be integrated into regulations at different levels: (i) at the regulatory level by relaxing some of the regulatory rigidity in ex ante regulations; (ii) at the farm level by allowing the substitution of isolation distances by pollen barriers; and (iii) at the national/regional level through plural coexistence measures, consistent with heterogeneity of farming in the EU.', 'en_US'),
(3717, 'Genetically modified organisms and products in European legal context.', 'The article is focused on basic issues of the EU legislation in the area of GMOs and GM products. The treatment of genetically modified organisms and products has been regulated in the European Union since beginning of 90''s. The so called precautionary principle is the basic principle of EU legislation in this field. Therefore, the primary goal of legislation is to protect the environment and health. Contemporary EU legislation consists of three main groups dealing with harmonisation of authorisation procedure, labelling and traceability of GMOs and GM products and implementation of Cartagena Protocol in relation to transboundary movements of GMOs. The strict EU legal framework for GMOs has caused problems within international trade, particularly with USA, Canada and Argentina.', 'en_US'),
(3718, 'Yield benefit and underlying cost of insect-resistance transgenic rice: implication in breeding and deploying transgenic crops.', 'The rapid development of transgenic biotechnology has greatly promoted the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops including the insect-resistant crops worldwide. Apart from the enormous yield benefits brought by the GM crops, the cryptic fitness cost associated with transgenes has also been detected under experimental conditions although it is considered to be rare. To estimate the yield benefit and cost of insect-resistant GM rice, we studied field performances of three insect-resistant GM rice lines, involving their non-GM parental variety as comparison. Great benefits as estimated by the yield-related traits were observed in the GM rice lines when high insect pressure was recorded, but a cryptic yield loss was detected when the level of insect pressure was extremely low. Given the fact that cryptic yield loss presented in the GM rice lines under the low insect pressure, a strategic field deployment should be required when insect-resistant GM rice are commercialized to circumvent the unnecessary yield losses. This is probably true for other insect-resistant GM crops. Effective biotechnology and breeding measures are also needed to particularly minimize the potential underlying cost of an insect-resistance transgene before commercial production of the GM crops.', 'en_US'),
(3719, 'Safety evaluations of the Cry1Ia1 protein found in the transgenic potato ''SpuntaG2''.', 'The transgenic potato ''SpuntaG2'' (Solanum tuberosum), which is resistant to potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella), was subjected to protein safety evaluations including protein equivalency tests for the Cry1Ia1 protein from ''SpuntaG2'' and bacterially produced Cry1Ia1, toxicity and allergenicity evaluations of Cry1Ia1 protein, and compositional equivalency of ''SpuntaG2'' compared with non-transgenic ''Spunta''. Western blot analysis and biological activity assays showed molecular and functional equivalency between ''SpuntaG2''-derived Cry1Ia1 protein and bacteria-derived Cry1Ia1 protein. Comparison of the Cry1Ia1 amino acid sequence to known amino acid sequences revealed no significant homology to known toxins or known allergens. Acute toxicity studies using rodents were used to calculate an acceptable daily intake (ADI) value of 20 mg.kg-1 body weight per day. The ADI value was then used to calculate a margin of exposure (MOE) of 2,222,222, which is more than 22,000 times greater than the commonly used target MOE of 100. Digestibility and thermostability assays determined that Cry1Ia1 was fully digested within 30 s of exposure to pepsin and inactive after 3 to 4 minutes at 100degreesC, indicating that it would not be a potential allergen. Compositional analyses revealed no difference between ''SpuntaG2'' and non-transgenic ''Spunta''. These results strongly indicate that the Cry1Ia protein and the transgenic potato ''SpuntaG2'' is not a human health risk.', 'en_US'),
(3720, 'Field and storage evaluations of ''SpuntaG2'' for resistance to potato tuber moth and agronomic performance.', '''SpuntaG2'' is a transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivar that contains the cry1Ia1 gene for resistance to potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella), which is a serious pest of potato in many parts of the world. Previous studies have characterized ''SpuntaG2'' at the molecular level and evaluated it for safety as a human food source. The objective here was to determine the efficacy of ''SpuntaG2'' against the potato tuber moth in the field and in storage and to evaluate its agronomic performance. Efficacy trials at seven South African locations over 5 years indicated that ''SpuntaG2'' gave complete control of potato tuber moth in the field and storage. The agronomic performance (tuber size and yield) of ''SpuntaG2'' was not statistically different from ''Spunta'' or was better than ''Spunta'' at all locations/years with two exceptions. Three years of trials in Michigan further support these conclusions. Evaluations done during the 2006-07 South African season showed that ''SpuntaG2'' did not differ from non-transgenic ''Spunta'' for the following traits: maturity, growth habit, eye morphology, tuber size distribution, tuber shape, skin and flesh color, growth cracks, internal defects, specific gravity, chip color, cooking quality, disease resistance, and pollen fertility. Based on the results of these trials, it was concluded that ''SpuntaG2'' provides the agronomic performance of ''Spunta'' with the added benefit of resistance to potato tuber moth.', 'en_US'),
(3721, 'Fitness costs of Cry1Ab resistance in a field-derived strain of Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).', 'The study of fitness costs associated with resistance to toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) in Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is important for understanding resistance evolution and for evaluating resistance management practices that prevent or mitigate resistance to transgenic corn, Zea mays L. Resistant individuals identified from a field collection in Kandiyohi, MN, were used to generate a Cry1Ab-resistant strain. We used susceptible and resistant strains with similar genetic background to establish crosses and estimate dominance of fitness costs by measuring fitness components and population parameters determined by fertility life tables. Spermatophore volume and mating frequency also were compared to identify potential effects of resistance on fertility. Inheritance of fitness costs in O. nubilalis varied from recessive to incompletely recessive among the parameters evaluated. Selection for resistance to Cry1Ab significantly reduced the fitness of O. nubilalis. Resistant insects exhibited reduced pupal weight and increased developmental time compared with susceptible and F1 larvae derived from reciprocal crosses of resistant and susceptible parents. In addition, it was observed that resistant insects exhibited a higher proportion of unsuccessful matings and lower fertility than the susceptible strain. Despite the differences observed in resistant insects, our results did not indicate strong evidence of fitness costs in the F1 progeny.', 'en_US'),
(3722, 'The comparative study of arthropods community on non-transgenic mother chili pepper (P915) and transgenic chili pepper (CMVP0-CP) in the isolated quarantine LMO fields.', 'The environmental risks of cucumber mosaic virus resistant transgenic chili peppers with the CMVP0-CP gene on non-target organisms in the agroecosystem environments was evaluated during the periods of the chili pepper growing season (June 19, July 30, August 31) in 2007. Arthropods assemblages leaves and flowers of chili peppers were quantitatively collected by using an insect vacuum collector to compare the arthropod community structures between non-transgenic chili peppers (nTR, P 915) and mosaic virus resistant transgenic chili peppers (TR, CMV-cp, line 7). There was no statistical difference in the arthropod community structure between the two types of crops, nTR and TR, at the same season, although the species richness and Shannon''s index were somewhat different among seasons; indicating no effects of genetically modified peppers on the arthropod community. However, further studies were required to conclude more concretely for the potential environmental risk of the transgenic chili pepper of CMV-cp.', 'en_US'),
(3723, 'Advances in biosafety studies on transgenic insect-resistant poplars in China.', 'More concerns have been focused on transgenic trees than transgenic food crops because of their longevity and the likelihood that transgene might spread to related species of wild trees grown nearby. Detailed, the long life span of trees could increase the likelihood of transgene instability, affect diversity of non-target organisms, improve resistance to insecticidal proteins, increase invasiveness of the tree itself (weediness), and arouse negative environmental consequences or new environmental risks resulted from gene flow or gene escape. The transgenic black poplar Populus nigra carrying Bt gene and hybrid white poplar clone 741 Populus alba x (P. davidiana+P. simonii) x P. tomentosa carrying fusion genes, which are resistant to leaf insects, have been commercial release in China since 2002. In this review, we provide a brief overview of biosafety assessment researches on transgenic insect-resistant poplar varieties during the last decades. Arthropod population and community structure have changed within the transgenic poplar plantations, and the diversity of the insect community has increased. But there are no significant changes for soil microbial communities. Gene flow monitoring in the transgenic black poplar plantation showed that the probability of gene escape is very low via pollen and seeds. The potential environment risk was also evaluated based on the experiments of horizontal gene transfer from transgenic poplars through endophytic bacteria. We pointed out the necessity of the biosafety assessments concerning the transgenic poplars when intercropping with food crops.', 'en_US'),
(3724, 'Impact of refugia and integrated pest management on the performance of transgenic (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).', 'Farmers'' participatory field trials were conducted with transgenic (Bacillus thuringiensis) and conventional cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) hybrids in integrated pest management and non-integrated pest management modes using different combinations of refugia for two cropping seasons (2003-05) in Nanded district of Maharashtra in central India and one cropping season (2004-05) in Dharwad district of Karnataka of southern India. At Nanded, the experiments were conducted with Bt ''MECH 184'' and local popular conventional hybrid ''Bunny'' and at Dharwad with ''RCH 2'' Bt and ''RCH 2'' conventional popular cotton hybrid. Results on sucking pests indicated no consistent trend with regard to locations and cropping seasons in Bt and conventional cottons. The mean incidence of American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner), pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders) and spotted bollworm (Earias insulana Boisd.) larval population and percentage of damaged squares, bolls and shed fruiting bodies at both the locations remained significantly high in conventional cotton treatments compared with all the Bt cotton treatments. The population of ladybird beetle and Chrysoperla zastrowi arabica Henry et al. was not adversely affected in all Bt treatments compared with the conventional cotton treatments. The yield data indicated higher seed cotton yield in all the Bt treatments compared to conventional cotton at both the locations. Integrated pest management was necessary for getting the best out of Bt cotton and 20% refugia reduced the seed cotton yield without giving substantial benefit in terms of bollworm control or conserving higher natural enemy population.', 'en_US'),
(3725, 'Consequences of the use of GMOs on pesticide use.', 'Herbicide-resistant and insect-resistant GM crops have been grown in order to save pesticide uses. Although the first years in the USA showed some benefit, further observations could be interpreted as a slow down in pesticide reduction together with the appearance of threats to the sustainability of the GM technology. On the one hand, alternate techniques were improved so as to use less pesticide. On the other hand, the appearance of herbicide-resistant weeds lead to the come-back of heavy herbicide weed control programs. However, the reduction in insecticides was sustained thanks to the setting up of the refuge strategy. The USA experience must be taken into account to design and evaluate the impact of the GM crops on the ''green'' policies to reduce the amount of pesticides used in Agriculture.', 'en_US'),
(3726, 'Assessing risk across the spectrum of weed management.', 'A range of risk assessment systems has been applied to the field of weed management globally to address the ever-growing problem of plant invasions. Here, we review the development of risk assessment and management systems across the spectrum of weed management, spanning pre-border (quarantine), post-border (generally aimed at eradication and containment) and the protection of environmental assets. These systems have been developed using broader risk management frameworks, enabling consistency with a range of other agreements and strategies (e.g. pre-border with international phytosanitary measures). While a weed risk assessment system (pre-border) has been developed and widely tested/adopted, post-border systems, especially for established weed species, have been more varied in their nature and application. For example, a triage system has been outlined only recently for managing the current risks of established or widespread weeds to native species. This review also highlights a range of other weed management areas in which risk assessment systems have been applied (e.g. invasion pathways) and where further progress is needed in the current systems to make them more robust. By assessing risk across the spectrum of weed management, we have demonstrated the role of each system and how they link together to address the majority of the spectrum. The application of risk assessment procedures has helped to create systems that aim to prevent, eradicate, contain and protect assets from the effects of weed invasions, the legacy of which will be long lasting, globally.', 'en_US'),
(3727, 'Pollen flow and outcrossing in grapes.', 'This paper discusses the risk to the environment by the cultivation of transgenic grapes, the extent of crossing of the altered genetic material to adjacent holdings and how far the grape pollen can be transported by the wind. The pollination of transgenic grapes through the transfer of genetic markers in their genome to retrieve the altered DNA is also highlighted.', 'en_US'),
(3728, 'Developing insect resistance management strategies for Bt maize in Kenya.', 'To select suitable crop species to serve as refuges, recommended forages and sorghum and maize cultivars were evaluated for stem borer preference and survivorship in the laboratory and field in 4 locations in Kenya, from 2001 to 2005. Vegetation surveys were conducted in 15 districts of Kenya to quantify the area covered by natural refuges. Workshops were also held with farmers and extensions to rank refuge species. Results from field and laboratory trials indicated highest egg production, survival and more exit holes in all sorghum and maize cultivars and some forages. The vegetation surveys indicated adequate natural refuges in most districts. Sorghum, non-Bt maize and napier should be promoted as refuges in Kenya. The paper also discussed the farmers\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'' criteria for ranking refuges and their preferences by gender in different locations in Kenya.', 'en_US'),
(3729, 'Towards delivering transgenic seeds to farmers in Kenya: a model pathway.', 'Quality seeds are central to increased agricultural productivity. Thus delivery of such seeds is critical in ensuring that farmers have the best planting materials for optimal productivity. In Kenya, the seed sector consists of informal and formal components. The informal system supplies about 70% of seed to smallholder farmers. These seeds include open pollinated crops such as maize, and self-pollinated varieties like beans. These seeds are typically derived from selected grains at harvest and re-used for planting from season to season. On the other hand, the formal seed system handles high performance seeds such as hybrids and synthetics, which are not amenable to recycling. The formal seed sector is poised to grow considering the sustained investment by the government of Kenya and the private sector in research and development, including biotechnology. These efforts have contributed to emerging transgenic products such as bt-maize and bt-cotton. However, biotechnology products, being new, highly regulated, and often raising safety and ethical concerns will require additional capacities in terms of human, institutional and legal support to create an enabling environment for their acceptance and consumption. This calls for the need for sustainable and responsible use of the emerging biotechnology products along the seed value chain. This paper discusses the experience in handling conventional and transgenic seeds in Kenya, emphasizing lessons for a model pathway that could be adapted for delivery of transgenic crops in other African countries.', 'en_US'),
(3730, 'Assessing the spatial distribution of open pollinated maize varieties in low land coastal Kenya.', 'The production of genetically modified (GM) maize offers the promise for improving maize yields in Kenya. However, a crucial question is whether GM maize can co-exist with local landraces. The risk of gene outflow between GM maize and a local variety on neighboring plots is of particular concern because of the costs it may impose directly on farmers and indirectly on consumers. Understanding the potential costs associated with introducing a Bt crop in the landscape requires knowledge of the spatial distribution of the existing crops and their evidence concerning the potential for spreading GM characteristics to local landraces. In order to contribute to addressing this issue, this study determined and quantified the dispersion of local open pollinated maize varieties in low land coastal Kenya. Our investigations find that maize fields are generally small in size on average dispersed uniformly throughout the landscape. While we continue to investigate the potential impact on gene flow and the security distance between fields, we infer that traceability of Bt genes will likely be a problem.', 'en_US'),
(3731, 'Occurrence and distribution of soil nematodes in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production areas of Kenya.', 'A baseline survey was conducted to determine the occurrence and distribution of soil nematodes associated with cotton in major growing areas in Kenya. Such baseline data on soil nematode abundance, diversity and ecosystem function in cotton ecosystems are valuable in providing a basis for comparison with organisms from transgenic cotton fields. Transgenic cotton plants expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins, from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), provide effective control of lepidopteran pests. However, the potential effects of these proteins on soil nematofauna are unknown in Kenya. Soil samples were collected from nine locations of western (Odiado, Angorom and Ochundo locations), coast (Baharini, Mpeketoni and Witu locations) and central (Kajiji, Tebere and Nyangati locations) province. Nematodes were extracted and recovered from soil samples using the Whitehead and Hemming tray method and identified under a light microscope according to their morphological characters. They were classified according to their feeding habits. Twenty seven genera of plant parasites, bacteriovores, fungivores, predators and omnivores were identified. Bacterial, fungal feeding and parasitic nematodes were the most abundant trophic groups across all provinces. There were significant differences in the numbers of bacteriovores (P pounds-sterling 0.01) and plant parasites (P pounds-sterling 0.05) between the provinces but no difference was observed in the numbers of fungal feeding nematodes. There was a significant difference in genus richness within locations in western and coast provinces (P &lt;= 0.001). The combined maturity index (_MI) did not vary significantly within the locations. The Shannon index (H'') showed variations within locations in western (P &lt; 0.001) and coast province (P pounds-sterling 0.01). Soil texture, P and K were correlated with abundance of some nematode genera. The bacteria feeders, Acrobeles and Rhabditis showed positive correlations to K (r=0.592, P &lt; 0.05 and r=0.128, P pounds-sterling 0.05) and P (r=0.406, P pounds-sterling 0.05, and r=0.252, P &lt; 0.05) while Aphelenchus was positively correlated to P (r=0.375, P pounds-sterling 0.05). The plant parasitic genera Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus showed significant negative correlation to N (r=-0.513, P pounds-sterling 0.05 and r=-0.226, P pounds-sterling 0.05). It is clear from this baseline data that plant parasitic and free living nematodes are widespread in cotton fields and any potential effects of Bt cotton on these nematodes may affect the nematode community structure and their ecosystem functions.', 'en_US'),
(3732, 'Impacts of transgenic Bt cotton on the stylet penetration behaviors of Bemisia tabaci biotype B: evidence from laboratory experiments.', 'Stylet penetration behaviors of Bemisia tabaci biotype B on two transgenic cotton lines ''GK12'' and ''GK19'' expressing Bt toxic protein Cry1A (Bt cotton) and a non-Bt conventional cotton line ''Simian-3'' (CK cotton) were recorded with the direct current electrical penetration graph (DC-EPG) technique. Our results suggested that EPG waveform patterns, types and characteristics non-probe (NP), pathway (C), potential drops (pd) and phloem phase (E(pd)) of Bemisia tabaci biotype B were very similar on the three cotton lines. There were no obvious differences of pathway variables among whiteflies on the three cotton lines. Some phloem variables related to E(pd)1 differed. Duration of 1st E(pd)1 and mean duration of E(pd)1 on both GK12 and GK19 were significantly shorter than that on CK cotton (P &lt; 0.05). Fewer whiteflies on GK have long E(pd)1. Other phloem variables including total duration of E(pd) summed, mean E(pd) duration and percentage of whiteflies reaching the phloem phase were similar among the three cotton lines.', 'en_US'),
(3733, 'Potential hybridization of genetically engineered triticale with wild and weedy relatives in Canada.', 'Triticale ( x Triticosecale Wittmack) is a promising cereal platform for novel bioindustrial products being developed using genetic engineering (GE). Before GE crop varieties are approved in Canada, the potential for gene flow to wild and weedy relatives must be examined. To identify at-risk species for hybridization and gene flow, we reviewed the phylogeny of triticale relatives, outcrossing barriers, reported crosses, and occurrence of wild relatives in Canada. Presence of genes that inhibit outcrossing, genome constitution, geographic distribution, and floral structure influence triticale hybridization potential. Hybridization experiments between triticale and parental species indicate crosses may produce viable seeds, although outcrossing with rye (Secale cereale L.) is less likely. With respect to nonparental species that occur in Canada, jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host) and intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium (Host) Beauv.) should be investigated to determine if viable hybrids with triticale can occur. While there are reports of wheat (Triticum spp.) hybridization with pubescent wheatgrass Agropyron trichophorum (Link) K. Richt., quackgrass Elymus repens (L.) Gould, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and lyme grass (Leymus arenarius Hochst), hybridization with triticale under natural conditions seem unlikely.', 'en_US'),
(3734, 'Coexistence in maize: isolation distance in dependence on conventional maize field depth and separate edge harvest.', 'The most reliable and practicable measure in assuring coexistence in respect to pollen-mediated gene flow from genetically modified (GM) to conventional maize (Zea mays L.) is an isolation distance separating GM and non-GM fields. Therefore, we tested distances between 24 and 102 m at three sites in northern Germany using a field orientation representing a worst case scenario concerning wind direction. During the 3 yr of field trials the highest levels of gene flow occurred at the site and year with the longest flowering synchrony and the strongest wind blowing constantly from the GM to the non-GM field. It was shown that the GM content of a neighboring non-GM maize field is mainly determined by wind speed and direction as well as by non-GM maize field depth. Based on the maximum outcrossing data obtained it can be concluded that for non-GM maize fields being 200 m deep or more an isolation distance of 50 m is sufficient to keep the GM content of the total fields grain harvest below the European Union (EU) labeling threshold of 0.9%. However, non-GM grain maize fields with smaller field depth require larger isolation distances or additional coexistence measures. In most cases discarding 6 m of the GM maize facing non-GM maize field edge has proven to be such a valuable measure. In silage maize production 50 m isolation distance is adequate even for non-GM maize field depths down to 50 m. We recommend flexible separation distances in dependence on non-GM maize field depth to comply with EU coexistence requirements.', 'en_US'),
(3735, 'Economic effects of the consumer-oriented genetically modified products in markets with a labelling regime.', 'This paper builds on the literature on the economic effects of the second-generation, consumer-oriented genetically modified products (GMPs). It analyses the market and welfare impacts of the introduction of these new products in markets, like the EU, that mandate the segregation and labelling of the first-generation, producer-oriented GMPs. Developing an empirically relevant model of heterogeneous consumers and producers, the study determines the effects of the consumer-oriented GMPs on the markets of conventional, GM and organic products, and the welfare of consumers and agricultural producers. Analytical results indicate that the market effects of the new GMPs are case specific and depend on: (i) the consumer valuation of the quality-enhancing attribute of the new GMP; (ii) the level of consumer aversion to GMOs; (iii) the strength of consumer preference for organic products; and (iv) the production costs and marketing margins in the different supply channels. The policy on the labelling of the first-generation GMPs does not affect the impacts of the second-generation GMPs on the quantities and market shares of the different products. However, it does affect their price effects and welfare implications. The introduction of consumer-oriented GMPs under a mandatory labelling regime can result in losses for some GM consumers and all producers of the conventional product.', 'en_US'),
(3736, 'Transgene x environment interactions in genetically modified wheat.', 'Background: The introduction of transgenes into plants may cause unintended phenotypic effects which could have an impact on the plant itself and the environment. Little is published in the scientific literature about the interrelation of environmental factors and possible unintended effects in genetically modified (GM) plants. Methods and Findings: We studied transgenic bread wheat Triticum aestivum lines expressing the wheat Pm3b gene against the fungus powdery mildew Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici. Four independent offspring pairs, each consisting of a GM line and its corresponding non-GM control line, were grown under different soil nutrient conditions and with and without fungicide treatment in the glasshouse. Furthermore, we performed a field experiment with a similar design to validate our glasshouse results. The transgene increased the resistance to powdery mildew in all environments. However, GM plants reacted sensitive to fungicide spraying in the glasshouse. Without fungicide treatment, in the glasshouse GM lines had increased vegetative biomass and seed number and a twofold yield compared with control lines. In the field these results were reversed. Fertilization generally increased GM/control differences in the glasshouse but not in the field. Two of four GM lines showed up to 56% yield reduction and a 40-fold increase of infection with ergot disease Claviceps purpurea compared with their control lines in the field experiment; one GM line was very similar to its control. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that, depending on the insertion event, a particular transgene can have large effects on the entire phenotype of a plant and that these effects can sometimes be reversed when plants are moved from the glasshouse to the field. However, it remains unclear which mechanisms underlie these effects and how they may affect concepts in molecular plant breeding and plant evolutionary ecology.', 'en_US'),
(3737, 'Apomixis and ploidy barrier suppress pollen-mediated gene flow in field grown transgenic turf and forage grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge).', 'Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) is the predominant forage grass in the southeastern US. The commercially important bahiagrass cultivar ''Argentine'' is preferred for genetic transformation over sexual diploid cytotypes, since it produces uniform seed progeny through apomixis. Pseudogamous apomictic seed production in Argentine bahiagrass may contribute to transgene confinement. It is characterized by embryo development which is independent of fertilization of the egg cell, but requires fertilization with compatible pollen to produce the endosperm. Pollen-mediated gene transfer from transgenic, glufosinate-resistant apomictic bahiagrass as pollen donor at close proximity (0.5-3.5 m) with non-transgenic sexual or apomictic bahiagrass cultivars as pollen receptors was evaluated under field conditions. Hybridization frequency was evaluated by glufosinate herbicide resistance in &gt; 23,300 seedlings derived from open-pollinated (OP) pollen receptor plants. Average gene transfer between transgenic apomictic, tetraploid and sexual diploid bahiagrass was 0.03%. Herbicide-resistant hybrids confirmed by immuno-chromatographic detection of the PAT protein displayed a single copy bar gene identical to the pollen parent. Hybrids resulting from diploid pollen receptors were confirmed as triploids or aneu-triploids with significantly reduced vigor and seed set as compared to the parents. Transmission of transgenes to sexual bahiagrass is severely restricted by the ploidy difference between tetraploid apomicts and diploid sexual bahiagrass. Average gene transfer between transgenic apomictic tetraploid and non-transgenic, apomictic tetraploid bahiagrass was 0.17%, confirming a very low frequency of amphimixis in apomictic bahiagrass cultivars. While not providing complete transgene containment, gene transfer between transgenic apomictic and non-transgenic bahiagrass occurs at a much lower frequency than reported for other cross-pollinating or facultative apomictic grasses.', 'en_US'),
(3738, 'The 20-year environmental safety record of GM trees.', 'The key published evidence relating to the main environmental concerns surrounding the release of genetically modified trees, i.e. Populus and Pinus sp., is discussed. The ecological impact, stability of transgene expression over time, effectiveness of transgene containment and status of nontarget organisms on leaves, stems and in soil are also highlighted.', 'en_US'),
(3739, 'Emergence and persistence of volunteer flax in western Canadian cropping systems.', 'Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is being evaluated as a platform crop for genetically engineered (GE) novel oils but it must be able to coexist with non-GE flax without causing market harm. The GE flax volunteers are a potential source of gene flow via pollen and seed. Field experiments in 2005 and 2006 quantified emergence periodicity of volunteer flax in direct seeded and conventionally tilled fields. Germination and emergence rates of naked seeds and seed retained in flax bolls were compared in laboratory and greenhouse trials. Lastly, 20 commercial flax fields were surveyed to quantify population size and persistence of volunteer flax for 3 yr following the flax crop. Volunteer flax emergence ranged from 31 to 4597 plants m-2, the year following flax crops. Emergence was slower in direct seeded fields compared to conventionally tilled with 50% emergence (E50) occurring at 340 and 228 growing degree days (GDD), respectively in 2005 and 297 and 236, respectively in 2006. The E50 occurred after crop emergence and before in-crop herbicides are normally applied. Greenhouse experiments confirmed that emergence of volunteer flax may be prolonged because seeds retained in flax bolls are protected from germination. In surveyed commercial fields, flax volunteer populations declined rapidly between the first and second year, but continued to emerge in some fields 3 yr following flax production. Field surveys confirmed the relatively slow emergence of volunteer flax, with the highest volunteer flax density observed in the survey period before in-crop herbicide application. Few flax volunteers set seeds in commercial fields and are, therefore, unlikely to contribute to population persistence. Volunteer flax requires effective control in the year following the crop to reduce the potential for pollen- and seed-mediated gene flow.', 'en_US'),
(3740, 'The western corn rootworm, a new threat to European agriculture: opportunities for biotechnology?', 'BACKGROUND: During the early 1990s, the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte (WCR), a maize pest, invaded the European continent. The continuous spread of the pest has introduced a new constraint into European maize production. As the damage caused by the invasive species is highly variable and different crop protection (CP) strategies are available, farmers\\'' optimal strategies are not obvious. This study uses a simulation model to assess the competitiveness of different CP strategies in seven Central European countries. RESULTS: Results indicate a high degree of heterogeneity in the profitability of different CP strategies, depending on the production parameters in each country. In general, crop rotation and Bt maize offer the best solutions to farmers, but, in continuous (non-rotated) maize cultivation, chemical CP options may capture part of the market. For Austrian continuous maize production it is found that not deregulating Bt maize implies that farmers forego revenues of up to Euro 59 ha-1. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of WCR, producing maize by an economically sound method requires incorporating country- and farm-specific characteristics into the decision framework. Also, not deregulating Bt maize has direct monetary consequences for many farmers that could influence total maize output and resistance management.', 'en_US'),
(3741, 'Prospective formulation of environmental risk assessments: probabilistic screening for Cry1A(b) maize risk to aquatic insects.', 'A critical first step for environmental risk assessment is problem formulation to identify environmental entities of concern and determinants of exposure that place these entities at risk. A conservative screening level approach was used to evaluate the potential risk to sensitive aquatic species from maize-expressed Cry1A(b) protein occurring in a representative agroecosystem. Estimated environmental concentrations for Cry1A(b) were compared to threshold concentrations of concern for putative sensitive aquatic organisms as estimated from species sensitivity distributions. The high-end risk expressed as the combined probability of short-term exposure and acute effects to a sensitive species indicated no concern in 99% of cases with limited opportunity for chronic effects due to the rapid decline of Cry1A(b) from the environment. Addressing uncertainties in the distribution of Cry1A(b) in soil, water, and sediment clarify the need for expanded ecotoxicity testing for aquatic effects.', 'en_US'),
(3742, 'Consumer acceptance of genetically modified foods: traits, labels and diverse information.', 'New experimental economic methods are described and used to assess consumers\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'' willingness to pay for food products that might be made from new transgenic and intragenic genetically modified (GM) traits. Participants in auctions are randomly chosen adult consumers in major US metropolitan areas and not college students. Food labels are kept simple and focus on key attributes of experimental goods. Diverse private information from the agricultural biotech industry (largely Monsanto and Syngenta), environmental groups (largely Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth) and independent third-party information is used to construct the information treatments. Food labels and information treatments are randomized, which is a deviation from traditional lab methods. Auctions are best described as sealed bid random n-th price and not the standard Vickery 2nd price auctions. I show that participants in these experiments respond to both food labels and information treatments, but no single type of information is dominant.', 'en_US'),
(3743, 'The role of animal feeding trials for the nutritional and safety assessment of feeds from genetically modified plants -- present stage and future challenges.', 'The world''s population is still growing up and asking for more and better food. High yielding plants with low external inputs should be the main aim of plant breeding to meet the higher demand for man and animal. Apart from traditional breeding plant biotechnology seems to have a certain potential to contribute to this objective. Safety and nutritional studies with such modified plants are the most important prerequisites for public acceptance of derived feed and food. The first step for safety and nutritional assessment of modified plants is the compositional analysis of potential food/feed and including the newly expressed proteins and other new constituents and the comparison with conventional counterparts. In vitro studies and experiments with laboratory animals are the next steps for assessments. Feeding studies with target animals are of special concern for nutritional assessment and are considered in more detail in the present paper.', 'en_US'),
(3744, 'Review of the field experiments in Dahnsdorf (German state Brandenburg) aiming at evaluation of genetically modified crops for the goals of integrated plant protection and for coexistence.', 'Worldwide cultivation of genetically modified crops has reached more than 130 million ha in 2009. In Germany, where the cultivation has been stopped since 2008, the risks and benefits of these cultivars are intensely discussed. From the beginning the Julius Kuhn-Institut (JKI) has contributed objectively with scientific investigations and statements to the context of this discussion. From 1996 to 2009, field experiments with genetically modified winter oilseed rape, maize and potatoes and experiments on the coexistence of maize were conducted at the experimental field station of the JKI in Dahnsdorf, German state Brandenburg. The traits used were herbicide resistance to glufosinate in oilseed rape and maize, and fructan synthesizing in potatoes. In comparison with the conventionally bred counterparts the genetically modified cultivars and lines met all relevant biosafety requirements. Out-crossing of transgenic oilseed rape and maize into conventional cultivars were observed, but can be kept low by isolation distances or agronomic measures during harvest. The distinct observed agronomic advantages and disadvantages of glufosinate resistant crops have to be considered cautiously in order to design sustainably integrated plant protection and soil management systems. The genetic modification of the fructan potato led unexpectedly to further changes such as the length of the main shoot and susceptibility for pests and diseases. However, these side effects are not expected to cause higher intensities in plant protection or increased risks for the environment. The review summarizes main results of the long term experiments in Dahnsdorf, and considers new results of growing genetically modified crops and biosafety research.', 'en_US');
INSERT INTO `bibliography_bibliography_i18n` (`id`, `title`, `abstract`, `locale`) VALUES
(3745, 'Characterizing indirect prey-quality mediated effects of a Bt crop on predatory larvae of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea.', 'There is increasing evidence that insecticidal transgenic crops can indirectly cause detrimental effects on arthropod predators or parasitoids when they prey on or parasitize sublethally affected herbivores. Our studies revealed that Chrysoperla carnea is negatively affected when fed Bt-susceptible but not Cry1Ac-resistant Helicoverpa armigera larvae that had fed Bt-transgenic cotton expressing Cry1Ac. This despite the fact that the predators ingested 3.5 times more Cry1Ac when consuming the resistant caterpillars. In order to detect potential differences in the nutrient composition of prey larvae, we evaluated the glycogen and lipid content plus the sugar and free amino acid content and composition of caterpillars fed non-Bt and Bt cotton. The only change in susceptible H. armigera larvae attributable to Bt cotton feeding were changes in sugar concentration and composition. In case of the Cry1Ac-resistant H. armigera strain, feeding on Bt cotton resulted in a reduced glycogen content in the caterpillars. The predators, however, appeared to compensate for the reduced carbohydrate content of the prey by increasing biomass uptake which caused an excess intake of the other analyzed nutritional compounds. Our study clearly proves that nutritional prey-quality factors other then the Bt protein underlie the observed negative effects when C. carnea larvae are fed with Bt cotton-fed prey. Possible factors were an altered sugar composition or fitness costs associated with the excess intake of other nutrients.', 'en_US'),
(3746, 'Reviewing South Africa''s marketing and trade policies for genetically modified products.', 'South Africa is unique in that it has commercialised genetically modified (GM) crops and has a functional biosafety system, which allows for trade in both GM and non-GM crops, despite being surrounded by countries banning the use of GM products. This paper analyses the past achievements and evolving changes in marketing and trade policies for GM products in South Africa. A quantitative analysis of South Africa''s GM imports and exports demonstrates the success of South Africa''s flexible regulatory system. Yet a review of recent reforms indicates a trend towards more rigid trade and marketing regulations of GM products. This paper suggests five policy recommendations to improve rather than rigidify regulations and allow South Africa to adapt to global changes, manage risks and take advantage of potentially promising new GM technologies.', 'en_US'),
(3747, 'Bt crops and food security in developing countries: realised benefits, sustainable use and lowering barriers to adoption.', 'Transgenic crops producing insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt crops) have been cultivated commercially for over 15 years. Worldwide, Bt crops have provided effective control of target pests with fewer applications of insecticide, have increased yield and profitability for farmers, and have reduced risk to the environment and human health compared with non-Bt crops. Sustainable use of Bt crops requires risk management to limit the evolution of pest resistance and adverse effects of the Bt proteins to non-target organisms. Risks are managed by national regulatory authorities; however, the establishment of functional regulatory systems with the necessary scientific capacity is problematic in many developing countries, which hinders the wider deployment of Bt and other transgenic insect-resistant crops. Timely introduction of these crops may also be obstructed by inefficient implementation of international regulatory regimes, such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB). Regulatory costs limit the number of insect-resistant crops that may be developed, and delay in the introduction of such crops may result in large opportunity costs. Implementing effective risk management while limiting these costs requires clear policy that defines the benefits and harms of cultivating transgenic crops and how those benefits and harms should be weighed in decision-making. Policy should lead to the development of regulatory frameworks that minimise the number of new data requirements and maximise the value of existing studies for risk assessment; costs will thereby be reduced, increasing the prospects for Bt crops, and transgenic insect-resistant crops generally, to improve food security in developing countries.', 'en_US'),
(3748, 'Research concerning the impact of Bt technology applied to cultivate genetically modified potatoes on soil quality.', 'Evaluation of genetically modified plant varieties (before placing in culture) is generally focused on aspects of genetic stability of the inserted genes and agronomic aspects of GM varieties. However, in the international scientific community there is concern about the environmental consequences of introducing a functional gene associated with changes in management practices and agricultural systems on the essential functions of the ecosystem, and the fate of the products obtained from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) e.g. persistence in the environment and gene transfer to other organisms. These issues must be included in every study of risk assessment for GMOs. In Romania were not conducted studies and independent researches to assess the impact of cultivation of genetically modified plants on biodiversity, quality and functioning of agro ecosystems. Was studied, however, ecological and economic impact of the introduction into the environment of plants with a single genetically modified character, mainly glyphosate-tolerant soybean, cultivated in Romania until 2007 (Badea et al., 2004, 2006; Otiman et al., 2004). Soil biological communities are among the most diverse biotic groups on the planet. Soil microorganisms are involved in regulating a number of processes in terrestrial ecosystems, which are essential for maintaining its productivity and health. Develop methodology for assessing the Bt biotechnology impact, applied to cultivate genetically modified potato, on soil quality parameters, and particularly, on the microorganisms diversity, was done according to the following objectives: soil type influence (through its defining physical-chemical parameters) and genotypes of cultivated hybrids about insecticide persistence and degradation of proteins, influence of transgenic plants cultivation about microbial diversity, study of transgenic plant cultivars about the main soil chemical properties. The criteria for selection of soil materials on which to conduct the impact study of Bt biotechnology was favorability for species taken in the study and contrasting physical and chemical properties. Thus, were used two soil types: Eutric Fluvisols and Fluvi-Eutric Cambisols. Research developed in greenhouse has pursued: identifying correlations between the main physical-chemical and biological attributes of soil and plant genotypes (GMOs or non-GMOs) cultivation; environmental impact assessment of Bt protein on essential soil biological processes by investigating the biological activities associated with plant debris decomposition and determination of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil; assessing the impact of Bt technology about taxonomic and genetic diversity of soil micro-organisms; assessment of possible modifications of the main physical, chemical and biological properties of soil under the influence of Bt technology.', 'en_US'),
(3749, 'Special Issue: Evolution in agro-ecosystems.', 'This issue (15 papers) presents diverse studies on some of the ways in which evolution driven by both conscious and unconscious selection by humans has shaped the development of modern agriculture. Specific topics covered include the following: reciprocal insights into adaptation from agricultural and evolutionary studies in tomato; evolutionary response of landraces to climate change in centers of crop diversity; evolution of weeds and invasives from domesticated ancestors; local origin of two vegetative compatibility groups of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum in Australia; the interplay between the effectiveness of the grass-endophyte mutualism and the genetic variability of the host plant; evolutionary ecology of mycorrhizal functional diversity in agricultural systems; evolutionary ecology of insect adaptation to Bt crops; and adaptive management of pest resistance by Helicoverpa species in Australia to the Cry2Ab Bt toxin in Bollgard II cotton.', 'en_US'),
(3750, 'Evolutionary ecology of insect adaptation to Bt crops.', 'Transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins are used worldwide to control major pests of corn and cotton. Development of strategies to delay the evolution of pest resistance to Bt crops requires an understanding of factors affecting responses to natural selection, which include variation in survival on Bt crops, heritability of resistance, and fitness advantages associated with resistance mutations. The two main strategies adopted for delaying resistance are the refuge and pyramid strategies. Both can reduce heritability of resistance, but pyramids can also delay resistance by reducing genetic variation for resistance. Seasonal declines in the concentration of Bt toxins in transgenic cultivars, however, can increase the heritability of resistance. The fitness advantages associated with resistance mutations can be reduced by agronomic practices, including increasing refuge size, manipulating refuges to increase fitness costs, and manipulating Bt cultivars to reduce fitness of resistant individuals. Manipulating costs and fitness of resistant individuals on transgenic insecticidal crops may be especially important for thwarting evolution of resistance in haplodiploid and parthenogenetic pests. Field-evolved resistance to Bt crops in only five pests during the last 14 years suggests that the refuge strategy has successfully delayed resistance, but the accumulation of resistant pests could accelerate.', 'en_US'),
(3751, 'Adaptive management of pest resistance by Helicoverpa species (Noctuidae) in Australia to the Cry2Ab Bt toxin in Bollgard II(R) cotton.', 'In Australia, monitoring Helicoverpa species for resistance to the Cry2Ab toxin in second generation Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton has precisely fulfilled its intended function: to warn of increases in resistance frequencies that may lead to field failures of the technology. Prior to the widespread adoption of two-gene Bt cotton, the frequency of Cry2Ab resistance alleles was at least 0.001 in H. armigera and H. punctigera. In the 5 years hence, there has been a significant and apparently exponential increase in the frequency of alleles conferring Cry2Ab resistance in field populations of H. punctigera. Herein we review the history of deploying and managing resistance to Bt cotton in Australia, outline the characteristics of the isolated resistance that likely impact on resistance evolution, and use a simple model to predict likely imminent resistance frequencies. We then discuss potential strategies to mitigate further increases in resistance frequencies, until the release of a third generation product. These include mandating larger structured refuges, applying insecticide to crops late in the season, and restricting the area of Bollgard II(R) cotton. The area planted to Bt-crops is anticipated to continue to rise worldwide; therefore the strategies being considered in Australia are likely to relate to other situations.', 'en_US'),
(3752, 'Natural glufosinate resistance of soil microorganisms and GMO safety.', 'Bacteria and fungi from pristine soil, never exposed to glufosinate herbicide, were isolated and analyzed for glufosinate tolerance. Seven of the 15 tested isolates were sensitive to 1 mM glufosinate (an active ingredient of many nonselective contact herbicides), 5 were resistant to 4 mM glufosinate and 3 even to 8 mM glufosinate in liquid medium. None of the isolated microorganisms carried the gene for glufosinate resistance bar (bialaphos resistance) in its genome and at least in some of glufosinate-resistant isolates the increased glutamine synthetase level was detected as a possible resistance mechanism. The transfer of the bar glufosinate resistance gene from transgenic maize Bt 176 into glufosinate-sensitive soil bacterium Bacillus pumilus S1 was not detected under the laboratory conditions by a classical plate count method and PCR. The ecological risk of potential bar gene transfer from genetically modified plants into soil microcosms under natural circumstances is discussed.', 'en_US'),
(3753, 'A mechanistic model of pollinator-mediated gene flow in agricultural safflower.', 'In many species of crop plant, gene flow by cross-pollination is possible between spatially separate fields. To preserve a crop''s varietal purity or to restrict ingress into conventional varieties of genetically modified (GM) genes, a quantitative understanding of gene flow is useful. Previous measurements of gene flow in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), a crop with GM varieties, were made in plots of less than 1 ha. Here, I evaluate a mathematical model of field-to-field gene flow due to insect pollination using parameter values appropriate to a large agricultural field of safflower. The model was solved based on laboratory pollination experiments and observations made on a large (40 ha) safflower field in Lethbridge, Canada that was pollinated by honey bees (Apis mellifera) and bumble bees (Bombus spp.). The model estimated the maximum feasible level of bee-mediated, field-to-field gene flow to range between 0.05% and 0.005% of seed set (95% upper confidence intervals of 0.23% and 0.023%), depending on the composition of the bee fauna. These relatively low values emerged for two reasons: safflower has a high capacity for automatic self-fertilization; and bees undertook long foraging bouts in the field, which made between-field pollinations relatively rare. A strategy for minimizing GM gene flow should utilize a conventional safflower variety that has a high capacity for automatic self-fertilization and should allow the conventional plants to grow in large stands to encourage long foraging bouts by bees.', 'en_US'),
(3754, 'Soybean gene flow in the south region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil.', 'The objective of this work was to evaluate the rate of gene flow between GM (RR) and conventional soybeans, in the city of Alfenas, in the south region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The work was carried out in the Horticultural Section and Experimentation of the University Jose do Rosario Vellano - UNIFENAS, in the period of October of 2004 trougth November of 2005. It were been used two cultivars of soybeans (Glicine max): one traditional cultivar MG/BR 46 (Conquista), not tolerant to the glyphosate, and other cultivar (BRS Valiosa) resistant to the molecule from glyphosate. The experimental area was delineated by sowing in concentric circles with rays of 1, 2, 3, 4 m for the plant of the cultivar not genetically modified (Conquista) and 5 m for the plants of the cultivar genetically modified. Plants removed of both the populations had received an application from glyphosate, by the applications of the commercial product Roundup, in the dosis of 1.0 L.ha-1 when they had reached the V3 stadium, with the objective of certification of the resistance to the herbicide. The RR gene flow in soybeans occurs at low taxes (maximum of 0.25%) in the conditions of Alfenas - MG, Brazil. However, these fact indicates a potential of contamination in soybeans plants not genetically modified growing near the RR plants.', 'en_US'),
(3755, 'Gene flow via pollen spread from cultivated roses used as hosts of a transgenic rose to wild roses.', 'We observed visiting insects near cultivated roses (Rosa hybrida) including genotypes used to generate transgenic roses and wild roses (Rosa spp.) to clarify the possibility of gene flow under natural conditions. From May to July, pollen-gathering bees visited mainly rose species from 8:00 to 12:00 in the morning. The bees preferentially visited the rose species (R. rugosa, R. hirtula, R. bracteata and R. luciae), over the cultivated roses (R. ''Easy Going'', R. ''Princess of Wales'', R. ''L ''Aimant'' and R. ''WGS''), probably due to the higher quantity of pollen produced and greater accessibility by the single-petaled wild species as compared to the double-petaled cultivated roses. Therefore, it seemed that cross-hybridization of rose species by the pollen of the cultivated roses is low under natural conditions. However, gene flow from R. ''Lavande'' to R. spp. was possible given the high rate of honeybee visitation on R. ''Lavande''. On the other hand, in October, flies were observed on both wild roses (R. rugosa) and cultivated roses. However, the contribution of pollination between wild and cultivated roses by the flies seemed to be low due to their lower pollen carrying ability.', 'en_US'),
(3756, 'Backcrosses to Brassica napus of hybrids between B. juncea and B. napus as a source of herbicide-resistant volunteer-like feral populations.', 'Introgression between genetically modified (GM) crops and wild relatives is considered to potentially modify the genetic background of the wild species. The emergence of volunteer-like feral populations through backcross of hybrids to the crop is also a concern. The progeny of spontaneous hybrids between mutant herbicide-resistant oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and wild B. juncea was obtained. Parents, F2 and BC1 to B. napus were planted together in the field so as to study their performance. The chromosome number of BC1 followed a Normal distribution. Mendelian ratio of the herbicide-resistance gene was found. The F2 produced less seeds than B. napus, and BC1 had intermediate production. Herbicide-resistant BC1 were not different of their susceptible counterparts for plant weight, seed weight and seed number, but most of them exhibited B. napus morphology and larger flowers than the susceptible BC1. They displayed an important genetic variability allowing further adaptation and propagation of the herbicide-resistance gene. Pollen flow to susceptible plants within the mixed stand was observed. As a consequence, the resistant BC1 produced with B. napus pollen could frequently occur and easily establish as a false feral crop population within fields and along roadsides.', 'en_US'),
(3757, 'Progress in insecticidal mechanism of Bt and resistance mechanism of pest insect to Bt.', 'Insecticidal crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) with high specificity have effect on the target pests but are harmless to natural enemies and other insects. The transgenic Bt plants and Bt insecticides are the most widely used biological control technique. This paper detailedly reviewed the discovery, classification, structure and function of Bt. The insecticidal mechanism of Bt, resistance mechanism of pest insect to Bt and receptor proteins of Bt from insects with relation to resistance were also given, and the insect resistance management strategies and prospects of Bt crops were proposed.', 'en_US'),
(3758, 'Adventitious presence: volunteer flax (Linum usitatissimum) in herbicide-resistant canola (Brassica napus).', 'Flax is in the process of development as a crop for bio-industrial and nutraceutical products predicated on the use of genetic modification. Before genetically modified (GM) flax is commercially released, effective management practices should be developed to minimize adventitious presence (AP) of GM volunteer flax in subsequent crops. Field research was conducted at four locations during 2007 and 2008 in central Alberta to quantify and mitigate AP of volunteer flax in glufosinate-resistant (GR) and imidazolinone-resistant (IR) canola. A single preplant application of glyphosate at 1,250 g ae ha-1 in GR canola reduced volunteer flax density from 54 to 3 plants m-2 and seed production from 5,963 to 233 seeds m-2. Similarly, the recommended rate of POST glufosinate (600 g ai ha-1) alone effectively controlled volunteer flax and reduced flax seed viability to &lt; 8% and AP to 0.2%. A combination of preplant (glyphosate) and POST (glufosinate) at recommended rates reduced volunteer flax seed production, yield, and AP to near zero in GR canola. Glyphosate applied preplant was equally effective in IR canola, reducing volunteer flax density from 56 to 2 plants m-2, and seed production from 5,571 to 472 seeds m-2. Imazamox+imazethapyr applied POST at all the rates poorly controlled volunteer flax and, even in combination with preplant glyphosate, cannot be recommended for control of flax volunteers in IR canola.', 'en_US'),
(3759, 'Cotton bollworm resistance to Bt transgenic cotton: a case analysis.', 'Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is one of the most serious insect pests of cotton. Transgenic cotton expressing Cry toxins derived from a soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), has been produced to target this pest. Bt cotton has been widely planted around the world, and this has resulted in efficient control of bollworm populations with reduced use of synthetic insecticides. However, evolution of resistance by this pest threatens the continued success of Bt cotton. To date, no field populations of bollworm have evolved significant levels of resistance; however, several laboratory-selected Cry-resistant strains of H. armigera have been obtained, which suggests that bollworm has the capacity to evolve resistance to Bt. The development of resistance to Bt is of great concern, and there is a vast body of research in this area aimed at ensuring the continued success of Bt cotton. Here, we review studies on the evolution of Bt resistance in H. armigera, focusing on the biochemical and molecular basis of Bt resistance. We also discuss resistance management strategies, and monitoring programs implemented in China, Australia, and India.', 'en_US'),
(3760, 'Insect oviposition behavior affects the evolution of adaptation to Bt crops: consequences for refuge policies.', 'The major lepidopteran insect pests of cotton and maize harbor intra-specific variation for behavior determining the selection of host plants for oviposition. Yet, the consequences of behavioral adaptation for fitness have neither been modeled nor monitored for Bt cotton and maize crops, the most widely grown transgenic herbivore-resistant plants. Here, we present a general two-locus heuristic model to examine potential outcomes of natural selection when pest populations initially have low frequencies of alleles for both physiological and behavioral adaptation to Bt crops. We demonstrate that certain ecological conditions allow for the evolution of behavioral choices favoring alternative oviposition hosts that limit the increase in resistance alleles, even when they are phenotypically dominant. These results have implications for current refuge policies, which should be adapted to promote the evolution of certain behavioral choices for alternative oviposition hosts in addition to dilution of physiological resistance alleles. Collection of data on oviposition host preference as a component of monitoring schemes will provide important insights into mechanisms underlying the durability of Bt-transgenic host-plant resistance.', 'en_US'),
(3761, 'A consumer segmentation study with regards to genetically modified food in urban China.', 'The objective of this study is to identify the underlying subgroups of Chinese consumers in terms of their perceptions and attitudes toward GM foods. In particular, we address the following specific questions: may researchers segment Chinese urban consumers in terms of their attitudes and perceptions toward GM foods? Are there any relationships between segmented consumer groups and other factors - such as their exposure to GM knowledge and socio-demographics? And, what policy implications can be drawn from this research to the future biotech development in China? Based on a large-scale survey data collected by the authors in 2002 and 2003 in 11 cities of China, this research applies consumer research methodologies. The combination of factor and cluster analysis enables us to identify successfully and consistently four Chinese consumer clusters based on their perceptions and attitudes toward GM foods, which include a food safety cluster, a nutritional technologist cluster, a GM skeptic cluster, and a cluster of GM for non-food promoter.', 'en_US'),
(3762, 'Sustainable use of biotechnology for bioenergy feedstocks.', 'Done correctly, cellulosic bioenergy should be both environmentally and economically beneficial. Carbon sequestration and decreased fossil fuel use are both worthy goals in developing next-generation biofuels. We believe that biotechnology will be needed to significantly improve yield and digestibility of dedicated perennial herbaceous biomass feedstocks, such as switchgrass and Miscanthus, which are native to the US and China, respectively. This Forum discusses the sustainability of herbaceous feedstocks relative to the regulation of biotechnology with regards to likely genetically engineered traits. The Forum focuses on two prominent countries wishing to develop their bioeconomies: the US and China. These two countries also share a political desire and regulatory frameworks to enable the commercialization and wide release of transgenic feedstocks with appropriate and safe new genetics. In recent years, regulators in both countries perform regular inspections of transgenic field releases and seriously consider compliance issues, even though the US framework is considered to be more mature and stringent. Transgene flow continues to be a pertinent environmental and regulatory issue with regards to transgenic plants. This concern is largely driven by consumer issues and ecological uncertainties. Regulators are concerned about large-scale releases of transgenic crops that have sexually compatible crops or wild relatives that can stably harbor transgenes via hybridization and introgression. Therefore, prior to the commercialization or extensive field testing of transgenic bioenergy feedstocks, we recommend that mechanisms that ensure biocontainment of transgenes be instituted, especially for perennial grasses. A cautionary case study will be presented in which a plant\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\''s biology and ecology conspired against regulatory constraints in a non-biomass crop perennial grass (creeping bentgrass, Agrostis stolonifera), in which biocontainment was not attained. Appropriate technologies that could be applied to perennial grass feedstocks for biocontainment are discussed.', 'en_US'),
(3763, 'EU import restrictions on genetically modified feeds: impacts on Spanish, EU and global livestock sectors.', 'Over the last decade, much controversy has surrounded the usage of genetically modified organism (GMO) technology in commercial agriculture. More specifically, it is feared that GMOs may introduce new allergens into the food chain or contribute to antibiotic resistance. At the current time, the European Union (EU) adopts a zero tolerance policy toward ''non-approved'' GMO imports, whilst the approval process has not kept pace with the proliferation of new GMO varieties. In the EU livestock sectors, this apparent mis-match threatens to interrupt supplies of high protein feed inputs (e.g., soymeal) from countries with more relaxed regulations regarding GMOs. Employing a well known multi-region computable general equilibrium framework, this study quantitatively assesses the impact of a hypothetical EU import ban on unapproved GMO varieties of soybean and maize imports on livestock, meat and dairy sectors. The model code is heavily modified to improve the characterisation of the agricultural sectors and land usage, whilst a realistic baseline is employed to update the global database to 2008, the year the hypothetical ban is implemented. In the ''worst case'' scenario, there are significant competitive losses in EU livestock, meat and dairy sectors. In Spain, the negative impacts are particularly pronounced given the importance of pig production in agriculture. In contrast, all non-EU regions'' trade balances improve, with notable trade gains in the USA and Brazil. To conclude, the EU must urgently find a long term strategy for GMOs if it is to reconcile political expediency with pragmatic economic concerns.', 'en_US'),
(3764, 'Biosafety: a review.', 'Biosafety is a set of actions directed to the prevention, minimization or elimination of risks that could jeopardize the human''s and animal''s health and of the environment. The first debates about biosafety were held in the early 1970''s due to the outbreak of transmissible diseases and to the concern to the safety in laboratory arenas. In Brazil, the regulations to activities related to these areas began in 1995 with the formation of the National Technical Biosafety whose functions are the inspection of the manipulated Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and of the laboratory arena safety. This review describes the biosafety concepts and their applicability known in order to improve the human safety as well as the environment in related issues to the research activities, production, teaching, technological development and given service.', 'en_US'),
(3765, 'Occurrence and field densities of Coleoptera in the maize herb layer: implications for Environmental Risk Assessment of genetically modified Bt-maize.', 'Beetles (Coleoptera) are a diverse and ecologically important group of insects in agricultural systems. The Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of genetically modified Bt-crop varieties with insect resistances thus needs to consider and assess the potential negative impacts on non-target organisms belonging to this group. We analysed data gathered during 6 years of field-release experiments on the impact of two genetically modified Bt-maize varieties (Ostrinia-resistant MON810 and Diabrotica-resistant MON88017) on the occurrence and field densities of Coleoptera, especially the two families Coccinellidae and Chrysomelidae. Based on a statistical analysis aimed at establishing whether Bt-maize varieties are equivalent to their near-isogenic counterparts, we discuss the limitations of using field experiments to assess the effects of Bt-maize on these two beetle families. The densities of most of the beetle families recorded in the herb layer were very low in all growing seasons. Coccinellidae and Chrysomelidae were comparatively abundant and diverse, but still low in numbers. Based on their role as biological control agents, Coccinellidae should be a focus in the ERA of Bt-plants, but given the large natural variability in ladybird densities in the field, most questions need to be addressed in low-tier laboratory tests. Chrysomelidae should play a negligible role in the ERA of Bt-plants, since they occur on-crop as secondary pests only. Species occurring off-crop, however, can be addressed in a similar fashion as non-target Lepidoptera in Cry1Ab expressing Bt-maize.', 'en_US'),
(3766, 'Development of real time PCR assays for detection and quantification of transgene DNA of a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn hybrid in soil samples.', 'Real time PCR assays were developed to detect and quantify the transgene DNA of a commercially released Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn (Zea mays L.) hybrid (DKC42-23), which was derived from the event MON863 and also carried a neomycin phosphotransferase gene (the nptII gene). We applied the real time PCR assays to investigate the persistence of the transgene DNA in a field trial grown with DKC42-23 over 3 years, in combination with bacterial natural transformation. The results showed that under continuous cultivation of DKC42-23, its transgene DNA was detectable in the field plots all year around. Meanwhile, when soil DNA extracts from DKC42-23 plots were used as donor in bacterial natural transformation, successful recovery of kanamycin resistant (KmR) transformants indicated that the nptII gene carried by DKC42-23 could be taken up and integrated into naturally competent Pseudomonas stutzeri pMR7 cells, leading to the restoration of the antibiotic resistance of P. stutzeri pMR7. However, after the cultivation of a soybean line in the same plots for the subsequent growing season, the presence of transgene DNA of DKC42-23 was reduced to undetectable levels at the end of that growing season. Therefore, existing corn-soybean crop rotation practices reduce the availability of transgene DNA in soil and thus minimize the risks that might be attributable to horizontal gene transfer. The real time PCR assays are useful for investigating the persistence of transgene DNA derived from the MON863 event in soil environments.', 'en_US'),
(3767, 'Implementation of monitoring for genetically modified rapeseed in Serbia.', 'Genetically modified (GMO) rapeseed (Brassica napus) is not grown commercially in European Union, but several lines have been approved for production and use as food and feed. A case-specific monitoring of herbicide-tolerant rapeseed, events RT73, RF3 and T45 was established by Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of Serbia. The objectives of the present study were to introduce methods for detection of herbicide-tolerant GM oilseed rape, investigate occurrence and monitor the presence of GM rapeseed in seed and the feed products, as well as to develop a protocol for quantification. The study was based on 48 samples, rapeseed (33) and feed (15) products, imported from EU countries (Germany, Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Austria) and from domestic market. Seven positive feed samples and no positive seed samples have found. The percent of GMO in feed samples, estimated on semi-quantitative way, was below labelling threshold. Adventitious presence of GM materials in non-GM grain, derived food and feedstuffs is a concern to international grain trade and needs continuous monitoring.', 'en_US'),
(3768, 'Biofortified sorghum in Africa: using problem formulation to inform risk assessment.', 'This paper discusses the process of appropriate problem formulation to identify data needs as a preliminary step in risk assessment of genetically modified crops (i.e. identification of the protection goals of the law or other instrument that triggered the risk assessment; recognition of adverse effects as operational assessment endpoints following problem formulation; development of possible scenarios of harm; and formulation of testable hypotheses and determination of an experimental plan to test them), and describes the application of this strategy in risk assessment of transgenic sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in Africa.', 'en_US'),
(3769, 'Impact of different levels of non-Bt cotton refuges on pest populations, bollworm damage, and Bt cotton production.', 'The impact of structured strip row refugia (varying from 10% to 50%) in the Bt cotton crops JKCH1947Bt (producing one toxin, Cry1Ac) and MRC7017BGII (producing two toxins, Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab) on the pest complex and cotton yield was studied. During the cropping season (June 2008 to November 2008), sucking pest incidence was negligible. However, the incidences of spotted bollworm, Earias vittella, and the leafroller, Sylepta derogata, were high on the non-Bt cotton. The total cotton seed yield of the Bt crop plus the refuge decreased proportionately with respect to the increase in proportion of non-Bt cotton. Total cotton production decreased significantly when 40% non-Bt cotton was planted as refuge. These studies showed that a refuge of up to 30% non-Bt cotton in JKCH1947Bt and up to 20% non-Bt cotton in MRC7017Bt did not affect total seed cotton yield compared to 100% Bt cotton.', 'en_US'),
(3770, 'Impact of Bollgard(R) genetically modified cotton on the biodiversity of arthropods under practical field conditions in Brazil.', 'Using cotton cultivars that express a gene of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium producing a protein (Cry1Ac) with an insecticide effect on the Lepidoptera pests has made it possible to reduce the number of insecticide applications during the crop cycle. Thus, the objective was to determine, in the field during the 2006/2007 harvest in Dourados/MS, Brazil, the impact of the transgenic cultivar (NuOpal(R)) by comparison with the isogenic, non-transgenic cultivar (DeltaOpal(R)) on target pests, non-target pests and natural enemies using two sampling methods (beatsheet and whole plant observation) under conventional growing conditions, with both varieties cultivated in a system incorporating the application of insecticides for non-target pests that reached the recommended threshold level for integrated pest management. It was verified that the average number of target pest specimens for both sampling methods was significantly lower in Bt-cotton than in non-Bt-cotton. However, the average number of non-target pest specimens and natural enemies presented no significant differences between the cultivars for both sampling methods assessed. The diversity of non-target pests characterized by the Shannon-Wiener index presented a significant difference between Bt-cotton and non-Bt-cotton for the whole plant sampling method, whereas for naturally occurring enemies, no difference was revealed using this sampling method.', 'en_US'),
(3771, 'Responses of stream macroinvertebrates to Bt maize leaf detritus.', 'In the midwestern United States, maize detritus enters streams draining agricultural land. Genetically modified Bt maize is commonly planted along streams and can possibly affect benthic macroinvertebrates, specifically members of the order Trichoptera, which are closely related to target species of some Bt toxins and are important detritivores in streams. The significance of inputs of Bt maize to aquatic systems has only recently been recognized, and assessments of potential nontarget impacts on aquatic organisms are lacking. We conducted laboratory feeding trials and found that the leaf-shredding trichopteran, Lepidostoma liba, grew significantly slower when fed Bt maize compared to non-Bt maize, while other invertebrate taxa that we examined showed no negative effects. We also used field studies to assess the influence of Bt maize detritus on benthic macroinvertebrate abundance, diversity, biomass, and functional structure in situ in 12 streams adjacent to Bt maize or non-Bt maize fields. We found no significant differences in total abundance or biomass between Bt and non-Bt streams, and trichopterans comprised only a small percentage of invertebrate biomass at all sites (0-15%). Shannon diversity did not differ among Bt and non-Bt streams and was always low (H'' range=0.9-1.9). Highly tolerant taxa, such as oligochaetes and chironomids, were dominant in both Bt and non-Bt streams, and macroinvertebrate community composition was relatively constant across seasons. We used litterbags to examine macroinvertebrate colonization of Bt and non-Bt maize detritus and found no significant differences among litter or stream types. Our in situ findings did not support our laboratory results; this is likely because the streams we studied in this region are highly degraded and subject to multiple, persistent anthropogenic stressors (e.g., channelization, altered flow, nutrient and pesticide inputs). Invertebrate communities in these streams are a product of these degraded conditions, and thus the impact of a single stressor, such as Bt toxins, may not be readily discernable. Our results add to growing evidence that Bt toxins can have sublethal effects on nontarget aquatic taxa, but this evidence should be considered in the context of other anthropogenic impacts and alternative methods of pest control influencing streams draining agricultural regions.', 'en_US'),
(3772, 'The maize gene flow evaluation based on transgene detection and quantification.', 'One approach to ensuring coexistence of genetically modified (GM) and conventional maize (Zea mays L.) is the understanding of maize pollen dispersal in the atmosphere in order to quantify the potential contamination of non-GM maize due to pollen-mediated gene flow from GM maize. For this purpose in our experiments the gene flow in two different commercial fields was evaluated. It was also determined that the increasing of the distance from the GM source proportionally reduce the GM contamination and the necessary distance to decrease the percent below 0.9% is 8.4 m. Our results are in accordance with the EU recommendations which proposed separation distances of 20 m and 50 m for silage and grain maize respectively, values determined based on statistical data of maize areas and aerial photographs with geographic information systems.', 'en_US'),
(3773, 'Preliminary toxicological assessment of Auricularia polytricha cultivated by genetically modified cotton seed hull.', 'By Auricularia polytricha cultivated by non-genetically modified cotton seed hull as negative control, the toxicological assessment of Auricularia polytricha cultivated by genetically modified cotton seed hull was carried out through acute toxicity test, 90-days feeding test, mice sperm abnormality test, mice bone marrow cell micronucleus test, Ames test and teratogenicity test. As no result of these tests was positive, the safety of Auricularia polytricha cultivated by genetically modified cotton seed hull was preliminarily proved. However, the overall and systematic toxicological assessment should be further studied to determine the feasibility of the genetically modified cotton seed hull using in Auricularia polytricha cultivation.', 'en_US'),
(3774, 'Coexistence regulations and agriculture production: a case study of five Bt maize producers in Portugal.', 'In 1998, Genetically Modified (GM) maize entered European Agriculture. After the publication of the European Commission''s guidelines on coexistence in 2003, Portugal developed ex-ante regulatory and ex-post tort liability rules on the coexistence of GM and non-GM maize crops. There is an on-going debate on the extent to which the coexistence policies affect adoption. In this study we measure the costs and benefits of planting GM maize as a member of a cooperative. All group members achieved a higher gross margin by planting GM maize rather than non-GM maize on their farms. Group members did not face any ex-post liability costs and had zero ex-ante regulatory costs as they could easily internalize the ex-ante coexistence regulations. The results show that coexistence regulations such as informing neighbors or keeping minimum distances do not necessarily lead to increased production costs provided they are flexible enough.', 'en_US'),
(3775, 'Binding site alteration is responsible for field-isolated resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2A insecticidal proteins in two Helicoverpa species.', 'Background -- Evolution of resistance by target pests is the main threat to the long-term efficacy of crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal proteins. Cry2 proteins play a pivotal role in current Bt spray formulations and transgenic crops and they complement Cry1A proteins because of their different mode of action. Their presence is critical in the control of those lepidopteran species, such as Helicoverpa spp., which are not highly susceptible to Cry1A proteins. In Australia, a transgenic variety of cotton expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab (Bollgard II) comprises at least 80% of the total cotton area. Prior to the widespread adoption of Bollgard II, the frequency of alleles conferring resistance to Cry2Ab in field populations of Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa punctigera was significantly higher than anticipated. Colonies established from survivors of F2 screens against Cry2Ab are highly resistant to this toxin, but susceptible to Cry1Ac. Methodology/Principal Findings -- Bioassays performed with surface-treated artificial diet on neonates of H. armigera and H. punctigera showed that Cry2Ab resistant insects were cross-resistant to Cry2Ae while susceptible to Cry1Ab. Binding analyses with 125I-labeled Cry2Ab were performed with brush border membrane vesicles from midguts of Cry2Ab susceptible and resistant insects. The results of the binding analyses correlated with bioassay data and demonstrated that resistant insects exhibited greatly reduced binding of Cry2Ab toxin to midgut receptors, whereas no change in 125I-labeled-Cry1Ac binding was detected. As previously demonstrated for H. armigera, Cry2Ab binding sites in H. punctigera were shown to be shared by Cry2Ae, which explains why an alteration of the shared binding site would lead to cross-resistance between the two Cry2A toxins. Conclusion/Significance -- This is the first time that a mechanism of resistance to the Cry2 class of insecticidal proteins has been reported. Because we found the same mechanism of resistance in multiple strains representing several field populations, we conclude that target site alteration is the most likely means that field populations evolve resistance to Cry2 proteins in Helicoverpa spp. Our work also confirms the presence in the insect midgut of specific binding sites for this class of proteins. Characterizing the Cry2 receptors and their mutations that enable resistance could lead to the development of molecular tools to monitor resistance in the field.', 'en_US'),
(3776, 'Effects of exposure to the toxin Cry1Ab through Bt maize fed-prey on the performance and digestive physiology of the predatory rove beetle Atheta coriaria.', 'In this study we assess the prey-mediated effects of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ab-expressed in maize on the performance and digestive physiology of the rove beetle Atheta coriaria (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), using Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) as prey in tritrophic bioassays. The toxin was detected in both T. urticae and A. coriaria adults and larvae, with concentrations of Cry1Ab decreasing through the trophic chain. In A. coriaria adults, the toxin decayed following an exponential curve, not being detectable in their bodies 24 h after the exposure to Bt-fed mites. When the performance of A. coriaria reared on (i) Bt maize infested with T. urticae, (ii) non-Bt maize infested with T. urticae, and (iii) rearing food were compared, no differences were found in any of the parameters analyzed (duration of immature stages, sex ratio, survivorship, fecundity and egg fertility). Proteolytic activities of A. coriaria adults fed with mites raised on Bt maize did not show differences with those reared on non-Bt fed-prey, indicating that the nutritional quality of the prey was not affected by exposure to the toxin. This work represents the first study dealing with prey-mediated effects of Bt maize on larvae and adults of a rove beetle. The use of this cosmopolitan rove beetle as an indicator species to assess potential effects of genetically modified crops on non-target arthropods is feasible.', 'en_US'),
(3777, 'Development and agronomic performance of transgenic roundup ready spring wheat in the North Central Plains of the United States.', 'The launch of commercially available Roundup Ready (RR) soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. cultivars in 1996 initiated a new era in agricultural weed management. Efforts with the goal of creating commercially available hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; HRSW) cultivars were initiated between Monsanto and three HRSW breeding programs located in the North Central Plains of United States. A backcross (BC) breeding scheme was initiated to introgress the RR trait into four previously released HRSW cultivars with the ultimate goal of offering a novel and cost-effective weed management option to growers through the application of Roundup herbicide directly over established RR HRSW cultivars. Agronomic field tests were performed in 2002 and 2003 with 12 transgenic backcross-derived (BCD) RR HRSW breeding lines and four recurrent parent (RP) cultivars in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Grain yield, grain volume weight, and days to heading among the RR HRSW lines were largely similar to their respective RP cultivars. However, plant lodging scores were often significantly lower among the BCD-RR lines compared to the conventional cultivars.', 'en_US');
