Environmental impact of transgenic virus-resistant sugar beet
2000
Smith, H.G. | Patron, N.J. (Institute of Arable Crops Research Broom's Barn, Higham (United Kingdom)) | Mayo, M.A. | Barker, H. | Liney, M.S.
Control of virus yellows is currently based on the use of chemicals, although resistant varieties could provide a more environmentally acceptable alternative. The introduction of virus gene sequences into host plant DNA by genetic manipulation can protect that plant from virus infection. However, there are concerns that non-target invading viruses could recombine with the virus genetic information present in the DNA of transgenic plants, resulting in the creation of novel viruses, and new disease problems. The objectives were to study the evidence for naturally-occurring recombination between the luteoviruses Beet mild yellowing virus (BWYV), Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) and Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) in weed hosts, and to ascertain whether recombination is likely to occur in virus-resistant transgenic plants that express gene sequences of these viruses. The studies included the collection of core data on incidence of these and other viruses in weed populations in arable crops, the production of transgenic plants expressing viral gene sequences, and experimentation to detect and assess frequency of recombination events. Opportunities for recombination between luteoviruses were shown to occur naturally, at a low frequency, in weed populations growing in proximity to arable crops. No evidence of recombination was observed in the series of experiments undertaken. The project provided information for the regulatory bodies to use when assessing the risks associated with the release of transgenic virus-tolerant crop species.
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