In this work we studied the pollen flow of a selected range of crops which could be genetically transformed in the near future. The study is part of LIFE08 NAT/IT/342 DEMETRA project which aims at developing a quick monitoring index to rapidly assess the influence on ecosystems of transgenic crops. To do this three experimental plots were selected in the Migliarino - San Rossore - Massaciuccoli Regional Park (Tuscany, Italy). The plots were characterized by different cropped areas: maize, sunflower, oilseed rape, Italian stone pine, and poplar. Pollen traps were installed within the plots taking into account the distance from crops and wind direction. A pollen dispersal simulation model was used to assess the potential contamination levels due to maize crops. Our results show that maize pollen covered up to a distance of 160 m from the cultivated area; pollen granules of oilseed rape, sunflower, pine and poplar were detected up to a distance of 34 m, 19 m, 269 m and 380 m, respectively. The pollen dispersal simulation model provided spatial explicit estimations of the contamination levels in term of maize pollen granules concentration.
Pollen flow evaluation to implement a Quick Monitoring Index (QMI)
Francesca Donnarumma;Alessandro Materassi;Gianni Fasano;Lorenzo Chelazzi;Isabella Colombini;Cristina Vettori
2013
Abstract
In this work we studied the pollen flow of a selected range of crops which could be genetically transformed in the near future. The study is part of LIFE08 NAT/IT/342 DEMETRA project which aims at developing a quick monitoring index to rapidly assess the influence on ecosystems of transgenic crops. To do this three experimental plots were selected in the Migliarino - San Rossore - Massaciuccoli Regional Park (Tuscany, Italy). The plots were characterized by different cropped areas: maize, sunflower, oilseed rape, Italian stone pine, and poplar. Pollen traps were installed within the plots taking into account the distance from crops and wind direction. A pollen dispersal simulation model was used to assess the potential contamination levels due to maize crops. Our results show that maize pollen covered up to a distance of 160 m from the cultivated area; pollen granules of oilseed rape, sunflower, pine and poplar were detected up to a distance of 34 m, 19 m, 269 m and 380 m, respectively. The pollen dispersal simulation model provided spatial explicit estimations of the contamination levels in term of maize pollen granules concentration.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.