Ecological Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Wheat (Triticum) in Europe

Abstract

The possible implications of hybridisation and introgression betweencrops and wild plant species are so far unclear because it is difficult to predicthow the genetically engineered genes will be expressed in a related wildspecies. Wheat is typically self-pollinated (via anthers within each enclosed floret), and any outcrossing that does occur is facilitated by wind pollendispersal. Evidence suggests that wheat has limited potential for outcrossingwith wild relatives in Europe. The wild relatives with which wheat has beenknown to cross are confined to field margins or disturbed places and neverseem to form substantial populations or become invasive to other habitats.