Role of the O-antigen of lipopolysaccharide, and possible roles of growth rage and of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (nuo) in competitive tomato root-tip colonization by Pseudomonas fluorescens WCS365

Microbial Biotechnolog

Field trials with GM trees: a step-by-step approach

&lt;p&gt;Field trials are an important step in the experimental research with and commercial development of genetically modified (GM) plants, including GM trees. Field trials with GM plants in the European Union (EU) are subject to authorisation granted on the basis of an environmental risk assessment (ERA). Data requirement for the ERA varies depending on the purpose of the field trial and the level of knowledge on the GM plant and its environmental impact. In the Netherlands a step-by-step approach has been developed for the categorisation of field trials. Under this approach the confinement of GM plants in a field trial can be gradually decreased and the scale of the trial increased in a step-wise manner at the same time that knowledge on the GM plant and its environmental interactions increases. Very few other countries seem to apply a similar classification of field trials. We argue that a formal step-by-step approach may be a helpful tool to facilitate the approval process for field trials of GM plants and the collection of relevant ata/material for the ERA without compromising the environmental safety, and that this approach is also applicable to field trials with GM trees.&lt;/p&gt;</p

Effects of Pseudomonas putida WCS358r and its genetically modified phenazine producing derivative on the Fusarium population in a field experiment, as determined by 18S rDNA analysis

We measured effects of Pseudomonas putida WCS358r and its genetically modified phenazine producing derivative on the Fusarium population in the soil of a wheat field in the Netherlands. We used 18S rDNA analysis to study the Fusarium population through a strategy based on screening clone libraries by using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analyses (ARDRA). After screening a total of 1000 clones, 70 clones had a Fusarium-like ARDRA pattern. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 51 out of 70 of these clones cluster in a monophyletic group together with the Fusarium isolates that were also obtained from the experimental field, suggesting that these clones originated from fungal strains belonging to the genus Fusarium. Both the introduced Pseudomonas parental strain and the GMM inhibit the development of the Fusarium and probably account for the higher diversity of Fusarium-like clone types at day 40 compared to day 13 and 27. While the antagonistic properties of P. putida WCS358r appear to suppress the Fusarium population, the introduced genetic modification does not seem to play a great additional role. [KEYWORDS: Genetically modified microorganisms; Pseudomonas putida; Fusarium; Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analyses; 18S rDNA; Wheat rhizosphere; Soil

General Surveillance of the soil ecosystem: An approach to monitoring unexpected adverse effects of GMO's

The commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the European Union (EU) necessitates, according to EU legislation, the setting up of a General Surveillance (GS) system that should be able to detect unanticipated effects of GM crops on the environment. Although the applicant is responsible for setting up GS as well as for reporting the results, EU Member States may implement additional supporting surveillance programmes. Devising a GS system to detect unanticipated effects is not straightforward and requires clearly defined protection goals, suitable indicators that are linked to measurable parameters and an objective system for assessing the data. This paper describes a number of recommendations for the development of a General Surveillance system of the soil ecosystem specifically focussed on the situation in the Netherlands. The overarching protection goal of General Surveillance is 'soil quality', which is translated into more practical terms of ecosystem services that are relevant for soil quality, and that can be used to select measurable parameters and thus make a link with actual measurements. Ultimately, if and when effects on ecosystem services are detected, decision makers will have to decide whether these effects are acceptable or not. As a support for these decision-making processes, this paper discusses the modalities for the development of a stakeholder participation model. The model involves three groups of persons: the land users, the soil scientists and the decision makers. For reasons of cost effectiveness, a GS system of the soil ecosystem will have to make use of existing networks. The Dutch Soil Quality Network (DSQN) offers an existing infrastructure for soil sampling for GS. Finally, the GS system may be extended to contain data from the Dutch Ecological Monitoring Network, earth observation systems as well as other data resources such as farmers questionnaires or reports form organisations involved in nature conservation. Ideally these data are compiled by a Central Reporting Office (CRO) and maintained in a Geographic Information System (GIS) based database.