Modified Sunflower Release: Opportunities and Risks.

M. CANTAMUTTO AND M. POVERENE

FIELD CROPS RESEARCH

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2007 vol. 101 p. 133 - 144

0378-4290

Abstract Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a crop native to North America for which there are no genetically modified commercial varieties. Some of the transgenic traits incorporated in other crops have already been subjected to research and experimentation in sunflower. Several new traits have also been noted, with the most relevant of these being the aim to increase latex production. GM sunflower release would modify crop management through improved mineral nutrition, weed control, insect and disease resistance, and product quality. In this research, the traits investigated were reviewed and analyzed in connection with main crop constraints. These characters could potentially influence agro-ecosystem components and produce a significant environmental impact. In regions where sunflower coexists with wild relatives this situation could affect germplasm resources, with this being especially important at the centre of origin and where Helianthus populations established in Africa, Asia, and Europe. the transgenic traits incorporated in other crops have already been subjected to research and experimentation in sunflower. Several new traits have also been noted, with the most relevant of these being the aim to increase latex production. GM sunflower release would modify crop management through improved mineral nutrition, weed control, insect and disease resistance, and product quality. In this research, the traits investigated were reviewed and analyzed in connection with main crop constraints. These characters could potentially influence agro-ecosystem components and produce a significant environmental impact. In regions where sunflower coexists with wild relatives this situation could affect germplasm resources, with this being especially important at the centre of origin and where Helianthus populations established in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Helianthus annuus L.) is a crop native to North America for which there are no genetically modified commercial varieties. Some of the transgenic traits incorporated in other crops have already been subjected to research and experimentation in sunflower. Several new traits have also been noted, with the most relevant of these being the aim to increase latex production. GM sunflower release would modify crop management through improved mineral nutrition, weed control, insect and disease resistance, and product quality. In this research, the traits investigated were reviewed and analyzed in connection with main crop constraints. These characters could potentially influence agro-ecosystem components and produce a significant environmental impact. In regions where sunflower coexists with wild relatives this situation could affect germplasm resources, with this being especially important at the centre of origin and where Helianthus populations established in Africa, Asia, and Europe.Helianthus populations established in Africa, Asia, and Europe. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Sunflower; Biotechnology; GM crops; Environmental impact; Herbicide tolerance; Pest controlSunflower; Biotechnology; GM crops; Environmental impact; Herbicide tolerance; Pest control Contents