| Summary : |
The aim of this project is to study in depth the factors that contribute to gene flow and determine the coexistence feasibility between genetically modified and conventional maize. More specifically, and throughout this knowledge, we aim at establishing valid and reliable indexes to predict the degree of gene flow in a field before harvesting, to detect the conflictive points, to evaluate the rules of good agricultural practices to be useful in the containment of gene flow and to establish protocols of sampling that could be reliable, cheap and adapted to the coexistence management. We also have a complementary aim that is to study the content of micotoxins in the field and in the silo, by using the same samples that will be collected to detect the GMO content. The specific objectives of the project are:
1. To study the real situation in some fields in the Foixa zone (with an average of the size of the fields of 2 Ha), to apply the predictive index we have and to validate or adjust if necessary the observed deviations. Those conventional maize fields that could give more information on secondary factors such as the effect of physical barriers, refuge zones, etc will be chosen for this study.
2. To apply the indexes to larger fields (20/30 Ha) and compare the results with those obtained with the analysis of samples collected during harvesting and in the silo.
3. To evaluate the efficiency and economical reliability of several sampling systems that could be useful to the Administration to establish or to homologate sampling methods.
4. To identify the micotoxins that can be found and its relative importance in commercial maize fields with or without corn borer attack and to study the impact that Bt maize could have in the micotoxin content.
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