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Strategies for risk assessment, minimising the environmental impact of fungal disease-suppressing GM bacteria and plants on non-target species (was RG0126) - CB02021
Description
The principle objectives are to extend our current approaches for impact assessments to include field releases of a genetically modified bacterium and evaluate a genetic biocontainment strategy for the niche directed expression of the introduced genetic trait.

The research will
- evaluate and compare the impact on non-target organisms caused by bacteria and plants modified to express anti-fungal compounds for the control of fungal disease in plants
- combine molecular and biological measures to assess changes in biomass, community diversity and ecosystem function of the rhizosphere microbiota and mycorrhizal fungi associated with crop plants and field margin pastures
- determine whether a biocontainment strategy reduces perturbance to the ecosystem following th4 release of GM-BCAs by the niche directed expression of the introduced anti-fungal genes (e.g. PCA)
- provide science based advice to assist the regulatory authorities when considering applications for the open environmental release of genetically modified organisms for crop protection




Project Documents
• Final Report : Strategies for risk assessment, minimising the environmental impact of fungal disease-suppressing GM bacteria and plants on non-target species (was RG0126)   (293k)
• Final Report - Annex : Strategies for risk assessment, minimising the environmental impact of fungal disease-suppressing GM bacteria and plants on non-target species (was RG0126)   (1129k)
Time-Scale and Cost
From: 2002

To: 2005

Cost: £355,400
Contractor / Funded Organisations
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Natural Environment Research Council
Keywords
Biotechnology              
Disease Control              
Farming              
GM Non-Food              
GM Risk Assessment              
Horticulture              
Peas              
Vegetables              
Fields of Study
Biotechnology and GMOs
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