Abstract
In this study, we simulate a transgenic rice crop highly infested with red rice to examine
transgene transfer from a transgenic line (A2504) resistant to glufosinate ammonium
to cohabitant red rice. The red rice was sown along with the transgenic line at
the highest density found in naturally infested crops in the region. Agricultural practices
similar to those used to control red rice infestation in northern Italy rice fields
were used to reproduce the local rice production system. During the first 2 years, the
field was treated with herbicide at the appropriate time; in the first year the dosage of
herbicide was three times the recommended amount. In this first year, detectable red
rice plants that escaped herbicide treatment were manually removed. Nevertheless,
two herbicide-resistant hybrid plants (named 101 and 104) were identified in the
experimental field during the second year of cultivation. Phenotypic and molecular
characterisation suggests the hybrid nature of these two plants, deriving from crossing
events involving A2504, respectively, with red rice (plant 101) and the buffer cultivar
Gladio (plant 104). The progeny of two subsequent generations of the two plants were
examined and the presence of the transgene detected, indicating stable transfer of the
transgene across generations. In conclusion, despite control methods, red rice progeny
tolerant to the herbicide can be expected following use of transgenic rice and, consequently,
difficulties in controlling this weed with chemicals will emerge in a relatively
short time.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 22-27 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Plant Biology |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- Gene flow
- Transgenic rice
- herbicide tolerance
- red rice
- weed control