Ecological Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops: Ten Years of Field Research and Commercial Cultivation

Sanvido, Olivier; Romeis, Jörg; Bigler, F.

doi:10.1007/10_2007_048

Cited by 107 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 156 publications

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“…Observed differences in community structure were inconsistent between the two study years, and there was as much variation between wheat varieties as there was between GM and control lines within varieties. This phenomenon has been observed before in other studies dealing with non-target effects of GM crops [20]. Plant characteristics seem to be more distinct between varieties than between GM plants and the corresponding controls.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Aphid–parasitoid community structure on genetically modified wheat

et al. 2011

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Since the introduction of genetically modified (GM) plants, one of the main concerns has been their potential effect on non-target insects. Many studies have looked at GM plant effects on single non-target herbivore species or on simple herbivore–natural enemy food chains. Agro-ecosystems, however, are characterized by numerous insect species which are involved in complex interactions, forming food webs. In this study, we looked at transgenic disease-resistant wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and its effect on aphid–parasitoid food webs. We hypothesized that the GM of the wheat lines directly or indirectly affect aphids and that these effects cascade up to change the structure of the associated food webs. Over 2 years, we studied different experimental wheat lines under semi-field conditions. We constructed quantitative food webs to compare their properties on GM lines with the properties on corresponding non-transgenic controls. We found significant effects of the different wheat lines on insect community structure up to the fourth trophic level. However, the observed effects were inconsistent between study years and the variation between wheat varieties was as big as between GM plants and their controls. This suggests that the impact of our powdery mildew-resistant GM wheat plants on food web structure may be negligible and potential ecological effects on non-target insects limited.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Aphid–parasitoid community structure on genetically modified wheat

et al. 2011

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“…The assessment of GMHT crops and their associated weed management practices includes evaluating potential effects on farmland biodiversity, while this is not a requirement for non-GM crop herbicide regimes. [117][118][119][120][121][122] Due to these different legal requirements, the environmental impact of a herbicide used on a GMHT crop is currently assessed differently than the same herbicide used on CHT crops.…”

Section: Regulatory Revisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated weed management systems with herbicide-tolerant crops in the European Union: lessons learnt from home and abroad

Lamichhane

Devos

Beckie

et al. 2016

Critical Reviews in Biotechnology

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Conventionally bred (CHT) and genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops have changed weed management practices and made an important contribution to the global production of some commodity crops. However, a concern is that farm management practices associated with the cultivation of herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops further deplete farmland biodiversity and accelerate the evolution of herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds. Diversification in crop systems and weed management practices can enhance farmland biodiversity, and reduce the risk of weeds evolving herbicide resistance. Therefore, HT crops are most effective and sustainable as a component of an integrated weed management (IWM) system. IWM advocates the use of multiple effective strategies or tactics to manage weed populations in a manner that is economically and environmentally sound. In practice, however, the potential benefits of IWM with HT crops are seldom realized because a wide range of technical and socio-economic factors hamper the transition to IWM. Here, we discuss the major factors that limit the integration of HT crops and their associated farm management practices in IWM systems. Based on the experience gained in countries where CHT or GMHT crops are widely grown and the increased familiarity with their management, we propose five actions to facilitate the integration of HT crops in IWM systems within the European Union.ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…However, there is also evidence of environmental benefit, for example through reduced pesticide use and (with herbicidetolerant cultivars) conservation tillage (Sanvido et al 2007). …”

Section: Benefits and Risksmentioning

confidence: 99%