Pollen dispersal

In the regulatory process, all classes of GM crop are examined on a case-by-case basis in the context of the geographical locations where they are to be grown. For example, the distance viable pollen can travel for each crop type is influenced by a pollen dispersal mechanism (wind, insects, etc.) and pollen longevity (determined by plant species). 

Pollination is the natural way for most plants to spread their genetic information, make up new plants, and to deliver their offspring in other locations. The use of plants with Kmited range of pollen dispersal and limited contact with compatible wild hosts therefore is also very effective to prevent genetic drift. Corn, for example, has pollen, which survives for only 10 to 30 min and, hence, has an effective fertilizing radius of less than 500 m. In North America, it has no wild-type relatives... 

Lavigne, C., Klein, E., Vallee, P., Pierre, J., Godelle, B. and Renard, M. (1998). A pollen dispersal experiment with transgenic oilseed rape. Estimation of the average pollen dispersal on an individual plant within a held. Theor. Appl. 

Pollination (wind, insects, both, etc.), pollen dispersal, pollen viability... 

Describe observed modes of pollen dispersal, indicating the most prevalent way. Important insect or other animal pollinators should be indicated. Give data on the range of pollen dispersal through the air and/or by the animal vectors, if known. Note how climatic or regional (e.g. geographic) differences can affect pollination. Provide available information or data on the influence of pollen quantity, movement, viability, load and competition on outcrossing, which is discussed in Sections III and IV. The details on pollination as they pertain to the plant are covered here, whereas details particularly pertinent to the pollinator are covered in Section V. 

Jackson, S.T., and S.J. Smith. 1994. Pollen dispersal and representation on an isolated, forested plateau. New Phytologist 2% 181-193. 

Prat, D. 1995. Mating system in a clonal Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seed orchard. II. Effective pollen dispersal. Annales des Sciences Forestikres 52 213-222. 

Tsukada, M. 1982. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Its pollen dispersal and Late Quaternary history in the Pacific Northwest. Japanese Journal of Ecology 32 159-187. 

Treu, R. and J. Emberlin. 2000. Pollen dispersal in the crops maize Zea mays), oil seed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera), potatoes Solanum tuberosum), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Soil Association, Bristol, UK. 2 p. Available from http //www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/saweb.nsf/librarytitles/22DD2.HTMl/ file/Pollen%20dispersal,%20npru,... 

The composition of pollen, precipitating on and infiltrating in a soil, is a mixture of pollen, dispersed by species rooting on the site and by species, present on distance. Consequently it is impossible to select the species, responsible for soil formation and humus sequestration from pollen spectra alone. Plant leaves are dispersed over much shorter distances by wind than pollen whereas plant root material normally enters a soil record in-situ, except for such cases where a large scale human induced deposition takes place e.g. through plaggen agriculture. As a result, in contrast to pollen records, biomarker records are expected to... 

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