Summary Notification

General information

Notification Number
B/SE/09/12183

Member State to which the notification was sent
Sweden

Date of acknowledgement from the Member State Competent Authority
16/11/2009

Title of the Project
Effects of transgenic apple rootstocks M26 and M9 and pear rootstock BP10030 on growth characteristics of 5 apple cultivars and 3 pear cultivars in comparison with the non-transgenic rootstocks

Proposed period of release:
01/04/2010 to 31/12/2014

Name of the Institute(s) or Company(ies)
Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Alnarp, LTJ, SLU, ;

3. Is the same GMPt release planned elsewhere in the Community?
No

Has the same GMPt been notified elsewhere by the same notifier?
No

Genetically modified plant

Complete name of the recipient or parental plant(s)

Common Name	Family Name	Genus	Species	Subspecies	Cultivar/breeding line
apple	rosaceae	malus	malus domestica		M26, M9
pear	rosaceae	pyrus	pyrus communis		BP10030

2. Description of the traits and characteristics which have been introduced or modified, including marker genes and previous modifications:
The rooting ability of the rolB transgenic rootstocks is sigfnificantly improved compared with non-transgenic rootstocks. In vitro produced shoots of the transgenic rootstocks rooted up to 100% without auxin, while the rooting ability of the non-transgenic rootstocks is very low. Softwood cuttings of the transgenic rootstocks rooted up to 100%, but only 5% for the control plants without auxin.

Genetic modification

3. Type of genetic modification:
Insertion;

In case of insertion of genetic material, give the source and intended function of each constituent fragment of the region to be inserted:
1) RolB gene is from Agrobacterium rhizogenes and improves the rooting ability. 2) nptII gene is from E. coli and it is a selective gene. 3) gus gene is from E. coli and is a marker gene.

6. Brief description of the method used for the genetic modification:
Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer is used for the genetic modification.

7. If the recipient or parental plant is a forest tree species, describe ways and extent of dissemination and specific factors affecting dissemination:
Not applicable.

Experimental Release

1. Purpose of the release:
1) To evaluate the effects of the transgenic apple and pear rootstocks on growth characteristics of the non-transgenic apple and pear cultivars grafted onto them. 2) To evaluate the stability of the rolB gene expression under field conditions. 3) To evaluate the rooting ability of the transgenic rootstocks of cuttings and through stooling.

2. Geographical location of the site:
Alnarp in Lomma community

3. Size of the site (m2):
1600

4. Relevant data regarding previous releases carried out with the same GM-plant, if any, specifically related to the potential environmental and human health impacts from the release:
This application is continuation of the previous field trial and no influences on the environment and the human health have been observed.

Environmental Impact and Risk Management

Summary of the potential environmental impact from the release of the GMPts:
The transgenic plants are used only as rootstocks and have no chance to flower. For the non-grafted transgenic rootstocks, the flower buds will be removed before flowering.

Brief description of any measures taken for the management of risks:
The trees will be digged up and burned after finishing the field trial. The soil will be ploughed to eliminate the roots left in the soil.

Summary of foreseen field trial studies focused to gain new data on environmental and human health impact from the release:
Not applicable.

Final report

European Commission administrative information

Consent given by the Member State Competent Authority:
Yes
13/04/2010 00:00:00
Remarks:

Notification report