The potential of transgenic legumes in integrated bruchid management: assessing the impact on bruchid parasitoids

Autor/innen

  • C. Lüthi Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland. Email: christoph.luethi@art.admin.ch
  • F. Álvarez-Alfageme Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
  • J. Romeis Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5073/jka.2010.425.167.251

Abstract

Leguminous seeds are an important staple food and source of nutrition in many countries. Bruchid beetles (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) are responsible for the greatest post-harvest losses to stored legumes. A powerful strategy to control bruchid infestations is the combination of plant resistance factors and biological control provided by parasitoids. Potent resistance factors are α-amylase inhibitors (αAI) which inhibit the starch metabolism in sensitive insects. Genetic engineering has been used to transfer αAI-1 from the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) to other leguminous plants which are subsequently protected from the attack by several bruchid species. However, there are concerns regarding the effects that the expressed insecticidal protein might have on non-target organisms. Here, we present an approach to assess the impact of αAI-1 genetically modified legumes on bruchid parasitoids.

Keywords: Risk assessment, Genetically modified plants, Non-target organisms; α-amylase inhibitor; αAI-1

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Veröffentlicht

2010-09-21