The use of transgenic crops is steadily increasing around the world, led by soybean (based on total area) and maize (in terms of total number of countries). Transgenic maize is grown in at least 17 countries across four continents: Africa, America, Asia and Europe. The comprehensive global spread of transgenic maize has significant implications for organizations involved in germplasm conservation and genetic enhancement; particularly as some countries require a GMO-free declaration when receiving shipments of maize germplasm. This article describes the protocol used by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) for monitoring unintentional transgene flow in maize genebank and breeding plots. The protocol is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers for detecting specific recombinant DNA sequences in bulked samples collected from sentinel plots. To date, no unintentional transgene flow has been detected in CIMMYT fields of maize genebank accessions or breeding materials.

Antes do uso em larga escala de linhagens não-patogênicas de Fusarium oxysporum como agentes de biocontrole da murcha-de-Fusarium, o seu comportamento e seus impactos potenciais no solo devem ser estudados como parte da avaliação de riscos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de linhagens antagonistas de F. oxysporum, geneticamente manipuladas (T26/6) ou não (233/1), na biomassa e atividade microbiana do solo. Os efeitos foram avaliados no noroeste da Itália em dois solos de Albenga, sendo um natural e outro previamente solarizado, e em um terceiro solo obtido numa plantação de 10 anos de Popolus sp., em Carignano. Não foram observados efeitos significativos na quantidade de ATP, hidrólise de diacetato de fluoresceina e biomassa P, após a introdução dos antagonistas. Um aumento transitório foi observado na evolução de dióxido de carbono e no carbono da biomassa em resposta à adição dos antagonistas. Embora os resultados tenham demonstrado apenas efeitos transitórios, outros estudos são necessários para a avaliação dos efeitos em populações específicas de microrganismos.

Before planning the large-scale use of nonpathogenic strains of Fusarium oxysporum as biocontrol agents of Fusarium wilt, their behaviour and potential impact on soil ecosystems should be carefully studied as part of risk assessment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of antagonistic F. oxysporum strains, genetically manipulated (T26/6) or not (233/1), on soil microbial biomass and activity. The effects were evaluated, in North-western Italy, in two soils from different sites at Albenga, one natural and the other previously solarized, and in a third soil obtained from a 10-year-old poplar stand (Popolus sp.), near Carignano. There were no detectable effects on ATP, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, and biomass P that could be attributed to the introduction of the antagonists. A transient increase of carbon dioxide evolution and biomass C was observed in response to the added inoculum. Although the results showed only some transient alterations, further studies are required to evaluate effects on specific microorganism populations.