Outcrossing to wild plants

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Unlike maize and potatoes, oilseed rape has numerous relatives with which it can outcross among the species that grow in Central Europe. However, fertile offspring are rare under natural conditions. A research project looked at the outcrossing behaviour of genetically modified oilseed rape.

• Oilseed rape and its crossing partners

Results

• Summary of results from research projects:
  Outcrossing to related wild species

• Interview with Bernd Hommel: "We found hybrids only in brown mustard."

Background

The fact that oilseed rape can outcross to related plant species is nothing new. However, does this pose a risk in the case of genetically modified rape? Experts are calling for differentiated evaluations.

• Between agitation and composure. Results of a British study on the outcrossing behaviour of oilseed rape (2003).

• "It all depends on whether the new traits confer an advantage." Interview with Jeremy Sweet, one of the authors of the british study.

• Questions put to Detlef Barsch: "Gene flow is a biological principle and does not constitute damage"

 

Pollen dispersal by wind and insects - is coexistence possible?

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Oilseed rape is good at outcrossing. Its pollen can be transported over large distances by wind and insects. If genetically modified rape is grown, coexistence with conventional rape crops must be ensured. For oilseed rape, as for other crops, adventitious and technically unavoidable GMO contamination of the harvested product below the 0.9% threshold is permitted without labelling, provided that the GM rape in question is licensed in the EU.

Results

• Summary of results from research projects:
  SiFo projects in brief: Pollen dispersal and outcrossing

• Interview with Stefan Kühne. "We were surprised by the large number of wild bee species."

More about this topic

• Coexistence information hub: studies, trials and results

 

Persistence in the soil and dispersal ability

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Compared with other crop plants, oilseed rape has some special characteristics: it has the ability to grow wild and also grows outside cultivated fields. Its seeds can persist in the soil for several years and then reappear at a later date as volunteer rape. These biological features are extremely relevant not just to the environmental safety of GM rape but also to its ability to coexist alongside conventional crops.

Results

• Summary of results from the research projects:
  Persistence, dispersal and volunteers

Research info

• Current project (2004-2009): Invasiveness of oilseed rape plants