<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Field Testing:</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Numerous field trials were conducted in 2002 and 2003 in a variety of locations to evaluate LY038 corn. In each of these trials, LY038 was compared to a negative segregant (a sister line in which the <i>cordapA</i> transgene was not present) referred to as LY038(-) as well as several control and reference hybrids. Standard field trials included an evaluation of dormancy and germination, ecological evaluations (plant interactions with insect pests, disease, and abiotic stresses), phenotypic evaluations, and compositional changes. Data addressing the above categories were collected in order to assess possible effects from introduction of the <i>cordapA</i> gene and its associated regulatory sequences.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Dormancy and germination testing revealed no differences found between LY038 corn and the reference hybrids. There were slight qualitative differences between LY038 corn and the controls identified in the ecological evaluations, but all of the measurements were within the range of incidence observed for the reference hybrids. For the phenotypic evaluations, there were 14 phenotypic characteristics evaluated during field testing. While there were some small qualitative statistical differences found, such as decreased seedling vigor and a small increase in plant height; these varied between years and were all within the ranges observed for the reference corn hybrids. Analysis of phenotypic characteristics data showed no significant biological differences between the reference corn control populations and LY038 corn, or differences outside the range of conventional corn norms.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The only unusual observation was the appearance of a white-leaf phenotype in LY038 corn in some field test locations. The white-leaf phenotype occurs at germination and persists only to the V2 stage (when the second collar appears on the second leaf). A similar white-leaf or decreased chlorophyll content phenotype has been observed in other plant species that accumulate high concentrations of lysine. In some cases this trait is associated with a loss of apical dominance and other growth abnormalities, however no such characteristics were observed in the LY038 plants in these field tests.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Outcrossing:</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Since pollen production and viability were unchanged by the genetic modification resulting in LY038, pollen dispersal by wind and outcropping frequency should be no different than for other maize varieties. Gene exchange between LY038 maize and other cultivated maize varieties will be similar to that which occurs naturally between cultivated maize varieties at the present time. In the United States, where there are no plant species closely-related to maize in the wild, the risk of gene flow to other species appears remote. Feral species in the United States related to corn cannot be pollinated due to differences in chromosome number, phenology (periodicity or timing of events within an organism&rsquo;s life cycle as related to climate, <i>e.g</i>., flowering time) and habitat.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> ssp. <i>mays</i>) freely hybridizes with annual teosinte (<i>Zea mays</i> ssp. <i>mexicana</i>) when in close proximity. These wild maize relatives are native to Central America and are not present in the United States, except for special plantings. <i>Tripsacum</i>, another genus related to <i>Zea</i>, contains sixteen species, of which twelve are native to Mexico and Guatemala. Three species of <i>Tripsacum</i> have been reported in the continental United States: <i>T. dactyloides</i>, <i>T. floridanum</i> and <i>T. lanceolatum</i>. Of these, <i>T. dactyloides</i>, Eastern Gama Grass, is the only species of widespread occurrence and of any agricultural importance. It is commonly grown as a forage grass and has been the subject of some agronomic improvement (i.e., selection and classical breeding). <i>T. floridanum</i> is known from southern Florida and <i>T. lanceolatum</i> is present in the Mule Mountains of Arizona and possibly southern New Mexico. Even though some <i>Tripsacum</i> species occur in areas where maize is cultivated, gene introgression from maize under natural conditions is highly unlikely, if not impossible. Hybrids of <i>Tripsacum</i> species with <i>Zea mays</i> are difficult to obtain outside of the controlled conditions of laboratory and greenhouse. Seed obtained from such crosses are often sterile or progeny have greatly reduced fertility.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Weediness Potential:</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">No competitive advantage was conferred to LY038 that would render maize weedy or invasive of natural habitats, since none of the reproductive or growth characteristics were modified. Cultivated maize is unlikely to establish in non-cropped habitats and there have been no reports of maize surviving as a weed. <i>Zea mays</i> is not invasive and is a weak competitor with very limited seed dispersal. Volunteers can occur in fields, the year following cultivation, when maize is grown in rotation with other crops. Although maize volunteers are a minor weed problem, these can cause harvesting problems.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Impact on Biodiversity:</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">LY038 has no novel phenotypic characteristics that would extend its use beyond the current geographic range of maize production. Since the risk of outcrossing with wild relatives in the United States is remote, it was determined that the risk of transferring genetic traits from LY038 maize to species in unmanaged environments was insignificant.</p>
