STUDY OF GENE FLOW IN MANIHOT IN BRAZIL: ALLOWANCES FOR RISK ANALYSIS

1. BRASIL

A. STUDY OF GENE FLOW IN MANIHOT IN BRAZIL: ALLOWANCES FOR RISK ANALYSIS

The probability of transgene dissemination depends on many factors such as cross compatibility, proximity or geographic distribution of wild parents, abundance of pollination vectors and methods of pollen diffusion. In order to quantify possible genetic contamination risk, the present subproject presents activities related to the biological reproduction of cassava and wild cassava species that will generate basic information for the analysis of the risk of genetically modified cassava, among them: a geographic distribution map of the Manihot species in Brazil will be generated by the Geographic Information System (GIS); evaluation of visiting insects and pollinating agents; yield studies, pollen viability and conservation; development of inter-specific hybrids between elite Manihot esculenta varieties and wild cassava and evaluation of voluntary plants in commercial plantations of Manihot esculenta. This information can be used to guide future risk management decisions that will be required before any general release of genetically modified cassava as well as cassava genetic breeding programs, mainly in centers of diversity countries, such as Brazil.

Contacto: Carlos Alberto da Silva Ledo - EMBRAPA – Brasil

E-mail: ledo@cnpmf.embrapa.br

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