Field Scale Gene Flow in Fodder Maize Analyzed

Results from Farm Scale Evaluation (FSE) trials in the UK indicated that the rates of pollen-mediated gene flow from herbicide-tolerant (HT) to conventional maize decreased rapidly with increasing distance from the GM source. The experiment conducted by researchers in the Central Science Laboratory and the Winfrith Technology Centre utilized the largest number of sites (55) and samples (1,055) that was analyzed in a single study to date.

The researchers reported that the maximum level of gene flow detected was 60% in samples taken 0-2 m from the HT crop. Gene flow was also detected in samples taken 200 m away from the GM source. The researchers used RT-PCR of the herbicide tolerance gene pat to detect geneflow from the Liberty Link maize line T25.

The data was also used to construct statistical models to help confirm assumptions made in risk assessments concerning gene flow in the FSEs. In addition, the results help validate whether the separation distances for maize issued by the Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops (SCIMAC) are effective. SCIMAC is a formal UK grouping of industry organizations representing farmers, plant breeders, and seed trade and biotechnology companies.

The paper published in Transgenic Research can be accessed by journal subscribers at http://www.springerlink.com/content/w1627886480r1xr8/.