Pollen-mediated movement of herbicide resistance between commercial canola fields

Journal or Publishing Institution: Science

Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12089441

Author(s): Rieger, M.A., Lamond, M., Preston, C., Powles, S.B. and Roush, R.T.

Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study

Record ID: 2072

Abstract: There is considerable public and scientific debate for and against genetically modified (GM) crops. One of the first GM crops, Brassica napus (oilseed rape or canola) is now widely grown in North America, with proposed commercial release into Australia and Europe. Among concerns of opponents to these crops are claims that pollen movement will cause unacceptable levels of gene flow from GM to non-GM crops or to related weedy species, resulting in genetic pollution of the environment. Therefore, quantifying pollen-mediated gene flow is vital for assessing the environmental impact of GM crops. This study quantifies at a landscape level the gene flow that occurs from herbicide-resistant canola crops to nearby crops not containing herbicide resistance genes.

Keywords: Acetolactate Synthase, Brassica napus, Agricultural Crops, Drug Resistance, Enzyme Inhibitors, Plant Genes, Population Genetics, Herbicides, Genetically Modified Plants, Pollen, Victoria, Antagonists & Inhibitors, Enzymology, Genetics, Physiology, New South Wales South Australia, North America, Canola, Herbicide resistance, Transgenic plants, Gene flow, Pollination, Seeds, Resistance movements

Citation: Rieger, M.A., Lamond, M., Preston, C., Powles, S.B. and Roush, R.T., 2002. Pollen-mediated movement of herbicide resistance between commercial canola fields. Science, 296(5577), pp.2386-2388.