Effects of a genetically modified potato on a non-target aphid are outweighed by cultivar differences

Jenny Lazebnik,Els M Van De Zande,Ferdinando Baldacchino,Paolo Banzato,Salvatore Arpaia,Jack H Vossen,Stefania Moliterni,Joop J A Van Loon

doi:10.1007/s10340-017-0831-6

Abstract

Insect–plant interactions may be unintentionally affected when introducing genetically modified (GM) crops into an agro-ecosystem. Our aim was to test the non-target effects of a late blight-resistant GM potato on Myzus persicae in greenhouse and climate room experiments and understand how position and number of R gene insertions can affect non-targets in GM events. We also aimed to compare results to baseline differences among three conventional potato varieties varying in resistance to late blight. Aphid development and survival were affected by some GM events in the first generation, though effects disappeared in the second generation. Effects were not dependent on the presence of a marker gene or the insertion of a second resistance gene. Positional effects of gene insertion influenced aphid performance on certain GM events. However, aphid fitness varied considerably more between conventional potato varieties than between Désirée and the GM events. Comparing different GM events to the non-transformed variety is relevant, since unintended effects of insertion can occur. Our protocols can be recommended for in planta risk assessments with aphids. Ecological perspective is gained by selecting several measured endpoints and by comparing the results with a baseline of conventional cultivars.

Highlights

To be considered for cultivation in agriculture, genetically modified (GM) crops must be subject to environmental risk assessment (ERA)
Probability of aphid survival over time tended to be higher on the GM events as compared to the non-transformed Desiree, though only in the first generation significant differences were observed in one transgenic event A13-13 (p = 0.028) with a single resistance genes (R genes) and one transgenic event with two R genes, A16-02 (p = 0.039) (Fig. 3a)
The results of our experiments show that genetic modification in potato for resistance to P. infestans through R gene insertion may have effects on non-target aphids in the first generation, yet these effects were no longer evident in the second generation of aphids

Summary

Introduction

To be considered for cultivation in agriculture, genetically modified (GM) crops must be subject to environmental risk assessment (ERA). The biodiversity and ecology of organisms in the agro-ecosystem are considered important in ERA. Plants are the primary producers supporting the trophic webs of agro-ecosystems, and the direct and indirect consequences of introducing genetically modified crops are a relevant concern (Arpaia 2010; EFSA 2010). Trials in confined conditions are important in early tiers of ERA to establish whether direct effects occur on the life history of important members of the agroecosystem or representatives of important functional groups (Andow et al 2013; Birch et al 2007; Houshyani 2012; Romeis et al 2011, 2013)

Objectives

Results

Conclusion