scholarly journals Reducing Pollen Dispersal using Forest Windbreaks

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Meyer ◽  
Vernie Sagun ◽  
Carol Auer
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Control Plot ◽  
Downwind Distance ◽  
Pollen Concentrations ◽  
Open Control

AbstractThe adoption of genetically engineered (GE) crops has created a demand for practical methods to mitigate pollen dispersal and gene flow. The goal of this project was to measure the ability of a narrow forest windbreak to reduce downwind pollen fluxes from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a North American grass and model biofuels feedstock. Switchgrass fields were established in two identical plots where one had a forest windbreak and the other was in an open (control) site. Switchgrass reproduction, pollen dispersal, wind speed, and wind direction were measured over two years. Daily release of switchgrass pollen peaked at 11:00-13:30 during a flowering period that lasted about 44 days. The best estimate for switchgrass pollen source strength (PSS) was 141 × 109 pollen/season/hectare for fields planted at commercial densities. The forest windbreak consistently decreased downwind switchgrass pollen concentrations by 333-20,000 fold compared to the control plot which had a 58-77 fold decrease due to downwind distance alone. These results suggest that forest windbreaks could be used as a barrier to reduce pollen dispersal and gene flow from switchgrass and other crops.Research HighlightA narrow forest windbreak greatly decreased downwind pollen concentrations from a switchgrass field suggesting that trees can reduce crop gene flow, enhance coexistence between farming systems, and provide ecosystem services.

scholarly journals Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) Crop Performance, Insect Pollinators, and Pollen Dispersal in the Northeastern US

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Rizzitello ◽  
Chuan-Jie Zhang ◽  
Carol Auer
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Camelina Sativa ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Oilseed Crop ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Pollinating Insects

AbstractCamelina sativa (camelina) is an oilseed crop in the Brassicaceae that has been genetically engineered for the production of biofuels, dietary supplements, and other industrial compounds. Cultivation in North America is both recent and limited, so there are gaps in knowledge regarding yield, weed competition, and pollen-mediated gene flow. For these experiments, camelina ‘SO-40’ was grown for three years without weed control. Spring-sown camelina was harvested at 80-88 days with ∼1200 growing degree days (GDD) with yields of 425-508 kg/hectare. Camelina yields were the same with or without weeds, showing competitive ability in low-management conditions. Crop failure in 2015 was associated with delayed rainfall and above-average temperatures after seeding. Camelina flowers attracted pollinating insects from the Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera. Hymenoptera included honey bees (Apis melifera), mining bees (Andrenidae), sweat bees (Halictidae), bumble bees (Bombus spp.) and leaf cutter bees (Megachilidae). Insect visitation on camelina flowers was associated with modest increases in seed yield. Honey bees comprised 28-33% of all pollinators and were shown to carry camelina pollen on their legs. Air sampling showed that wind-blown pollen was present at low concentrations at 9 m beyond the edges of the field. These experiments demonstrated for the first time that camelina pollen dispersal could occur through honey bees or wind, although bee activity would likely be more significant for long-distance gene flow.

scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Pollen- and Seed-Mediated Gene Flow from Genetically Engineered Plum Prunus domestica

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e75291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Scorza ◽  
Alissa B. Kriss ◽  
Ann M. Callahan ◽  
Kevin Webb ◽  
Mark Demuth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Prunus Domestica ◽  
Seed Mediated ◽  
Temporal Assessment

The biology and ecology of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its implications for trait confinement

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 997-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Willenborg ◽  
R. C. Van Acker
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Hexaploid Wheat ◽  
Triticum Turgidum ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Trait Confinement

This review summarizes the biological and ecological factors of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that contribute to trait movement including the ability to volunteer, germination and establishment characteristics, breeding system, pollen movement, and hybridization potential. Although wheat has a short-lived seedbank with a wide range of temperature and moisture requirements for germination and no evidence of secondary dormancy, volunteer wheat populations are increasing in relative abundance and some level of seed persistence in the soil has been observed. Hexaploid wheat is predominantly self-pollinating with cleistogamous flowers and pollen viability under optimal conditions of only 0.5 h, yet observations indicate that pollen-mediated gene flow can and will occur at distances up to 3 km and is highly dependent on prevailing wind patterns. Hybridization with wild relatives such as A. cylindrica Host., Secale cereale L., and Triticum turgidum L. is a serious concern in regions where these species grow in field margins and unmanaged lands, regardless of which genome the transgene is located on. More research is needed to determine the long-term population dynamics of volunteer wheat populations before conclusions can be drawn with regard to their role in trait movement. Seed movement has the potential to create adventitious presence (AP) on a larger scale than pollen, and studies tracing the movement of wheat seed in the grain handling system are needed. Finally, the development of mechanistic models that predict landscape-level trait movement are required to identify transgene escape routes and critical points for gene containment in various cropping systems. Key words: Triticum, coexistence, gene flow, genetically-engineered, herbicide-resistant, trait confinement

Living with Other Flowers: Competition and Pollination Ecology

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat Willmer
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Female Choice ◽  
Intraspecific Competition ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Pollination Ecology ◽  
Potential Outcomes ◽  
Selective Force ◽  
Genetic Level

This chapter examines competition in the context of pollination ecology. Competition is typically treated from the perspective of the plants, but it is also likely to occur among and between the pollinators. Furthermore, competition can occur at various levels—as a structuring factor in communities, as a selective force on an individual plant’s phenology, morphology, or rewards, and at a genetic level structuring competition for pollens between males, and female choice between possible mates. The chapter first considers several types of of competition in pollination ecology, potential outcomes of competition, and competition between pollinators before discussing how selection reduces intraspecific competition among plants and competition among pollinators. It also explores paternity, maternity, and gene flow in coflowering communities, focusing in particular on male competition and female choice, along with gene flow via pollen dispersal and seed dispersal.

Assessing environmental impact of pollen-mediated transgene flow.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Bao-Rong Lu
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Weedy Rice ◽  
Fitness Effect ◽  
Trade Disputes ◽  
Transgene Flow

Abstract Potential environmental impact caused by pollen-mediated transgene flow from commercially cultivated genetically engineered (GE) crops to their non-GE crop counterparts and to their wild and weedy relatives has aroused tremendous biosafety concerns worldwide. This chapter provides information on the concept and classification of gene flow, the framework of the environmental biosafety assessment caused by pollen-mediated gene flow, and relevant case studies about transgene flow and its environmental impact. In general, gene flow refers to the movement of genes or genetic materials from a plant population to other populations. Crop-to- crop transgene flow at a considerable frequency may result in transgene 'contamination' of non-GE crops, causing potential food/feed biosafety problems and regional or international trade disputes. Crop-to- wild/weedy transgene flow may bring about environmental impacts, such as creating more invasive weeds, threatening local populations of wild relative species, or affecting genetic diversity of wild relatives, if the incorporated transgene can normally express in the recipient wild/weedy plants and significantly alter the fitness of the wild/weedy plants and populations. It is therefore necessary to establish a proper protocol to assess the potential environmental impacts caused by transgene flow. Three steps are important for assessing potential environment impacts of transgene flow to wild/weedy relatives: (i) to accurately measure the frequencies of transgene flow: (ii) to determine the expression level of a transgene incorporated in wild/weedy populations; and (iii) to estimate the fitness effect (benefit or cost) conferred by expression of a transgene in wild/weedy populations. The recently reported case of non-random allele transmission into GE and non-GE hybrid lineages or experimental populations challenges the traditional method of estimating the fitness effect for the assessment of environmental impacts of transgene flow. Furthermore, case studies of transgenic mitigation (TM) strategies illustrate ways that may reduce the impacts of a transgene on wild/weedy populations if crop-to- wild/weedy transgene flow is not preventable, such as in the case of gene flow from crop rice to its co-occurring weedy rice.

Staying close: short local dispersal distances on a managed forest of two Patagonian Nothofagus species

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 652-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Sola ◽  
Verónica El Mujtar ◽  
Leonardo Gallo ◽  
Giovanni G Vendramin ◽  
Paula Marchelli
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Spatial Genetic Structure ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Restricted Gene Flow ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Gene Dispersal ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Understanding the impact of management on the dispersal potential of forest tree species is pivotal in the context of global change, given the implications of gene flow on species evolution. We aimed to determine the effect of logging on gene flow distances in two Nothofagus species from temperate Patagonian forests having high ecological relevance and wood quality. Therefore, a total of 778 individuals (mature trees and saplings) of Nothofagus alpina and N. obliqua, from a single plot managed 20 years ago (2.85 hectares), were mapped and genotyped at polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci. Historical estimates of gene dispersal distance (based on fine-scale spatial genetic structure) and contemporary estimates of seed and pollen dispersal (based on spatially explicit mating models) were obtained. The results indicated restricted gene flow (gene distance ≤ 45 m, both pollen and seed), no selfing and significant seed and pollen immigration from trees located outside the studied plot but in the close surrounding area. The size of trees (diameter at breast height and height) was significantly associated with female and/or male fertility. The significant fine-scale spatial genetic structure was consistent with the restricted seed and pollen dispersal. Moreover, both estimates of gene dispersal (historical and contemporary) gave congruent results. This suggests that the recent history of logging within the study area has not significantly influenced on patterns of gene flow, which can be explained by the silviculture applied to the stand. The residual tree density maintained species composition, and the homogeneous spatial distribution of trees allowed the maintenance of gene dispersal. The short dispersal distance estimated for these two species has several implications both for understanding the evolution of the species and for defining management, conservation and restoration actions. Future replication of this study in other Nothofagus Patagonian forests would be helpful to validate our conclusions.

scholarly journals Voter Model and Biased Voter Model in Heterogeneous Environments

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (03) ◽  
pp. 770-787
Author(s):  
N. Lanchier ◽  
C. Neuhauser
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Transgenic Crops ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Voter Model ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Transgenic Crop ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Type Gene

With the rapid adoption of transgenic crops, gene flow from transgenic crops to wild relatives through pollen dispersal is of significant concern and warrants both empirical and theoretical studies to assess the risk of introduction of transgenes into wild populations. We propose to use the (biased) voter model in a heterogeneous environment to investigate the effects of recurrent gene flow from transgenic crop to wild relatives. The model is defined on the d-dimensional integer lattice that is divided into two parts, Δ and Z d \ Δ. Individuals carrying the transgene and individuals carrying the wild type gene compete according to the evolution rules of a (biased) voter model on Z d \ Δ, while the process is conditioned to have only individuals carrying the transgene on Δ. Our main findings suggest that unless transgenes confer increased fitness in wild relatives, introgression of transgenes into populations of wild plants is slow and may even be reversible without intervention. Our study also addresses the effects of different spatial planting patterns of transgenic crops on the rate of introgression.

scholarly journals Adding landscape genetics and individual traits to the ecosystem function paradigm reveals the importance of species functional breadth

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (48) ◽  
pp. 12761-12766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio R. Castilla ◽  
Nathaniel S. Pope ◽  
Megan O’Connell ◽  
María F. Rodriguez ◽  
Laurel Treviño ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Floral Display ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Pollinator Community ◽  
Local Plant

Animal pollination mediates both reproduction and gene flow for the majority of plant species across the globe. However, past functional studies have focused largely on seed production; although useful, this focus on seed set does not provide information regarding species-specific contributions to pollen-mediated gene flow. Here we quantify pollen dispersal for individual pollinator species across more than 690 ha of tropical forest. Specifically, we examine visitation, seed production, and pollen-dispersal ability for the entire pollinator community of a common tropical tree using a series of individual-based pollinator-exclusion experiments followed by molecular-based fractional paternity analyses. We investigate the effects of pollinator body size, plant size (as a proxy of floral display), local plant density, and local plant kinship on seed production and pollen-dispersal distance. Our results show that while large-bodied pollinators set more seeds per visit, small-bodied bees visited flowers more frequently and were responsible for more than 49% of all long-distance (beyond 1 km) pollen-dispersal events. Thus, despite their size, small-bodied bees play a critical role in facilitating long-distance pollen-mediated gene flow. We also found that both plant size and local plant kinship negatively impact pollen dispersal and seed production. By incorporating genetic and trait-based data into the quantification of pollination services, we highlight the diversity in ecological function mediated by pollinators, the influential role that plant and population attributes play in driving service provision, and the unexpected importance of small-bodied pollinators in the recruitment of plant genetic diversity.

Local pollen dispersal and distant gene flow in Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.)

2004 ◽  
Vol 197 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 39-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Burczyk ◽  
A Lewandowski ◽  
W Chalupka
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Pollen Dispersal

Factors affecting pollen dynamics and its importance to pollen contamination: a review

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1155-1170 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Di-Giovanni ◽  
P. G. Kevan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Seed Orchard ◽  
Dispersal Pattern ◽  
Seed Orchards ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Pollen Contamination ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Natural Stands

Pollen contamination causes major losses to genetic improvement from selection and breeding of "plus" trees in conifer seed orchards. Genetic losses arise by the influx of "wild" conspecific pollen into seed orchards and its deleterious fertilization of superior genetic lines. This review firstly addresses the basis of the problem: pollen, conifer reproduction, and the concept of seed orchard management, especially in regard to reduction of contamination. Secondly, the physical processes of pollen liberation, dispersal, and deposition are described, and examples of previous studies illuminating these phenomena given. Thirdly, past research on measuring pollen dispersal in natural stands and seed orchards in discussed in the light of modelling techniques used to predict these types of dispersal pattern. Work on the other facets of contamination measurement, gene-flow studies, are listed. It is concluded that a detailed study that combines both the physical and gene-flow aspects of pollen dispersal should be initiated to compare and contrast the two methods, and that attempts to model pollen contamination should be sought.

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