Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Volume 273, Issue 1605, Pages 3111-3115Publisher
ROYAL SOCIETY
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2006.3686
Keywords
genetically modified crops; gene flow; transgene; Brassica napus; Brassica oleracea; associated flora and fauna
Categories
Funding
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [GM114202] Funding Source: researchfish
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [GM114202] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Research on the environmental risks of gene flow from genetically modified ( GM) crops to wild relatives has traditionally emphasized recipients yielding most hybrids. For GM rapeseed ( Brassica napus), interest has centred on the 'frequently hybridizing' Brassica rapa over relatives such as Brassica oleracea, where spontaneous hybrids are unreported in the wild. In two sites, where rapeseed and wild B. oleracea grow together, we used flow cytometry and crop-specific microsatellite markers to identify one triploid F-1 hybrid, together with nine diploid and two near triploid introgressants. Given the newly discovered capacity for spontaneous introgression into B. oleracea, we then surveyed associated flora and fauna to evaluate the capacity of both recipients to harm cohabitant species with acknowledged conservational importance. Only B. oleracea occupies rich communities containing species afforded legislative protection; these include one rare micromoth species that feeds on B. oleracea and warrants further assessment. We conclude that increased attention should now focus on B. oleracea and similar species that yield few crop-hybrids, but possess scope to affect rare or endangered associates.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available