September 25, 2003

 

Pollen Drift in Wheat Being Studied at NDSU

Gene flow through pollen drift in wheat is the subject of a multi-year study by two North Dakota State University researchers. "While not testing transgenic wheat for this study, it does have implications should transgenic wheat be commercialized," says Mohamad Mergoum, NDSU hard red spring wheat breeder in the Plant Sciences department. Working with Mergoum is Joel Ransom, NDSU agronomist.

A concern among growers is the possibility that pollen from transgenic wheat could drift to other wheat seed stock in the area.

There have been other pollen drift studies, especially in Canada, however this is the first pollen drift in wheat study conducted in North Dakota. From the study, pollen drift data can be used to develop policies and procedures for maintaining segregation, Ransom says. "Segregation of transgenic wheat from conventional wheat, and not just organically grown wheat, may be important in the future for farmers wishing to sell in markets that demand transgenic free products."

Factors affecting gene flow include environmental conditions, time and distance isolation, variety used, synchrony of flowering between varieties and type of crop.

Past evidence would suggest that wheat pollen is produced in relatively small amounts, has characteristics favorable for high self-pollination and has a limited viability period. "That would suggest that outcrossing levels (cross-pollination) would be low," Ransom says. "But outcrossing rates can vary depending on weather conditions and wheat cultivars. Our study should allow us to learn about the outcrossing potential in the varieties we grow in North Dakota and under our prevailing environmental conditions."

The NDSU study is part of a broad-based effort to understand biotechnology and its implications. "One of the primary objectives of research is to look at technologies that have the potential to benefit producers as well as consumers," according to Al Schneiter, chair of the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences. "Biotechnology can help producers increase crop yields and feed more people especially in third world countries. It can also decrease the farmer’s reliance on insecticides and herbicides."

###

Source: Mohamed Mergoum, (701) 231-8478, mohamed.mergoum@ndsu.nodak.edu
Joel Ransom, (701) 231-7405, jransom@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Al Schneiter, (701) 231-7973, albert.schneiter@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu