Abstract
Seed spillage during handling and transportation promotes establishment and invasion of feral crops into adjacent semi-natural habitats. This is also the case for oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus), where seed spillage may lead to establishment of herbicide resistant OSR populations in countries without cultivation of genetically modified OSR. Using data from Austria – where cultivation and import of genetically modified OSR are banned – as a prime example, we demonstrate that ports, oil mills, switchyards, and border railway stations to countries with different electric current systems – where trains have to stop – are the sites of primary concern with respect to seed spillage. Based on the results of the Austrian case study we discuss common measures to limit crop seed spillage which include intensified controls at border railway stations and the mode of seed packing during transportation. We further recommend sufficient cleaning both of goods wagons and of loading areas of trucks and ships as well as an appropriate weed management.
Highlights
Seed spillage during handling and transportation promotes establishment and invasion of feral crops into adjacent semi-natural habitats. This is the case for oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus), where seed spillage may lead to establishment of herbicide resistant OSR populations in countries without cultivation of genetically modified OSR
Using data from Austria—where cultivation and import of genetically modified OSR are banned—as a prime example, we demonstrate that ports, oil mills, switchyards, and border railway stations to countries with different electric current systems—where trains have to stop—are the sites of primary concern with respect to seed spillage
The origin and establishment of feral populations along transportation routes contribute to the uncertainty concerning containment of genetically modified (GM) crops outside fields and could interfere with a successful weed management
Summary
Oilseed rape is a globally widely grown crop of hybrid origin, descending from the parent species cabbage (B. oleracea) and turnip (B. rapa). Import restrictions have been put into place because introgression of herbicide resistant transgenes may cause problems with weed management and may negatively affect the integrity of genetic resources in wild relatives (Londo et al, 2010) To illuminate this issue we assess the mid-term to longterm probability of spillage, establishment and distribution of imported viable OSR seeds, using field data collected along transportation routes and at loading and handling sites in Austria, where the import of GM OSR is banned because of ecological concerns (Pascher, 2011, 2012). The biggest fraction of OSR seeds is transported on roads, at the expense of the rail transport sector, which lost most of its market shares (information provided by the Austrian Federal Railways)
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