Containing
oilseed rape’s ability to spread
New research projects
Oilseed rape has a high potential to spread, compared with other types of crop. Rape seeds can survive for a long time in the soil, and often do not germinate until years later, appearing as volunteer plants in the following crops. This can lead to adventitious mixing and outcrossing. From 2008 to 2011, a number of research projects are developing and testing strategies for containing the ability of oilseed rape to spread.
Research info
- SiFo project: Forecast model for volunteer rape, JKI Quedlingburg (2008-2011)
- SiFo project: Genetic research into the heredity of persistence (secondary dormancy), University of Göttingen (2008-2011)
- SiFo project: Oilseed rape with low persistence – a strategy for controlling gene transfer through volunteer rape, University of Hohenheim (2008-2011)
- SiFo project: Varieties with closed flowers - a useful strategy for restricting pollen dispersal in oilseed rape? JKI Quedlinburg (2008-2011)
Is
oilseed rape capable of coexisting?
For oilseed rape the same principle applies as for other crops: If GM oilseed rape is grown in Europe, coexistence with conventional oilseed rape cultivation must be ensured. Because of its biological characteristics, however, this is not exactly easy in the case of oilseed rape. Not only, are rape flowers extremely attractive to insects, but oilseed rape can also survive outside the cultivated area. Above all though, oilseed rape seeds are capable of surviving in the soil for years. If GM oilseed rape is grown, such 'volunteer' plants would be a source of GMO presence in conventional crops.
Background
Background: Debate
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