Hybridization and introgression between crops and wild relatives. Current knowledge and research priorities in lieu of impending introductions of GM crops

Abstract

This report was assigned by COGEM. It is meant to uncover possible lacunas in scientific knowledge in the field of crop-wild relative hybridisation and consecutive introgression of crop genes into wild relatives, as well as its ecological and evolutionary consequences. The motivation for this enquiry comes from the impending release of GM crops; the assessment and the a posteriori monitoring of the possible effects of such releases should be based on the best available scientific knowledge. The report reviews the current data and identifies the main research priorities to be implemented for further progress in this fiel