Plant characterization of insect-protected soybean.

Insect-protected soybean (SIP) that produces the Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 insecticidal crystal proteins has been developed to provide protection from feeding damage caused by targeted lepidopteran insect pests. Typically, as part of environmental risk assessment (ERA), plant characterization is conducted, and the data submitted to regulatory agencies prior to commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops. The objectives of this research were to: (a) compare soybean with and without the SIP trait in plant characterization field trials designed to fulfill requirements for submissions to global regulatory agencies and address China-specific considerations and (b) compare risk assessment conclusions across regions and the methodologies used in the field trials. The soybean with and without the SIP trait in temperate, tropical, and subtropical germplasm were planted in replicated multi-location trials in the USA (in 2012 and 2018) and Brazil (in 2013/2014 and 2017/2018). Agronomic, phenotypic, plant competitiveness, and survival characteristics were assessed for soybean entries with and without the SIP trait. Regardless of genetic background, growing region, season, or testing methodology, the risk assessment conclusions were the same: the evaluated insect-protected soybean did not differ from conventional soybean in evaluated agronomic, phenotypic, competitiveness, and survival characteristics indicating no change in plant pest/weed potential. These results reinforce the concept of data transportability across global regions, different seasons, germplasm, and methodologies that should be considered when assessing environmental risks of GM crops.

Genetically modified crops do not present variations in pollen viability and morphology when compared to their conventional counterparts.

Modern agricultural biotechnologies, such as those derived from genetic modification, are solutions that can enable an increase in food production, lead to more efficient use of natural resources, and promote environmental impact reduction. Crops with altered genetic materials have been extensively subjected to safety assessments to fulfill regulatory requirements prior to commercialization. The Brazilian National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio) provides provisions for commercial release of transgenic crops in Brazil, including requiring information on pollen dispersion ability as part of environmental risk assessment, which includes pollen viability and morphology studies. Here we present the pollen viability and morphology of non-transgenic conventional materials, single-event genetically modified (GM) products, and stacked GM products from soybean, maize and cotton cultivated in Brazil. Microscopical observation of stained pollen grain was conducted to determine the percentage of pollen viability as well as pollen morphology, which is assessed by measuring pollen grain diameter. The pollen viability and diameter of GM soybean, maize and cotton, evaluated across a number of GM events in each crop, were similar to the conventional non-GM counterparts. Pollen characterization data contributed to the detailed phenotypic description of GM crops, supporting the conclusion that the studied events were not fundamentally different from the conventional control.

MON 95379 Bt maize as a new tool to manage sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) in South America.

BACKGROUND: The sugarcane borer (SCB), Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a key pest of maize in Argentina, and genetically modified maize, producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins, has revolutionized the management of this insect in South America. However, field-evolved resistance to some Bt technologies has been observed in SCB in Argentina. Here we assessed a new Bt technology, MON 95379, in the laboratory, greenhouse and field for efficacy against SCB. RESULTS: In a laboratory leaf disc bioassay, both MON 95379 (producing Cry1B.868 and Cry1Da_7) and Cry1B.868_single maize (producing only Cry1B.868) resulted in 100% mortality of SCB. The level of Cry1B.868 in the Cry1B.868_single maize is comparable to that in MON 95379 maize. However, the Cry1Da_7 protein does not have high efficacy against SCB, as evidenced by < 20% mortality on Cry1Da_7_single leaf tissue. Total (100%) mortality of SCB in a Cry1B.868_single tissue dilution bioassay indicated that Cry1B.868_single maize meets the criteria to be classified as a high dose. Similar median lethal concentration (LC50 ) values were observed for MON 89034-R and susceptible SCB strains exposed to Cry1B.868 protein. MON 95379 also controlled SCB strains resistant to MON 89034 (Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2) and Cry1Ab. Under field conditions in Brazil and Argentina, MON 95379 maize plants were consistently protected from SCB damage. CONCLUSION: MON 95379 maize will bring value to maize growers in South America by effectively managing SCB even in locations where resistance to other Bt-containing maize technologies has been reported. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A new generation of Bt maize for control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

BACKGROUND: The pyramided genetically modified maize (Zea mays [L.]) event MON 95379, expressing the Cry1B.868 and Cry1Da_7 proteins, was designed to protect against larval feeding damage by the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW). Here, we conducted laboratory, greenhouse, and field studies to assess the dose and field efficacy of MON 95379 against FAW and inform the development of insect resistance management plans. RESULTS: The Cry1B.868 and Cry1Da_7 proteins were active against susceptible FAW neonates in diet-incorporation bioassays: median lethal concentration [LC50 ] (95% CI) = 62.8 (42.6-87.6) µg/ml diet for Cry1B.868 and 9.4 (5.3-18.6) µg/ml diet for Cry1Da_7. In laboratory leaf disc bioassays, MON 95379 maize and experimental maize lines expressing the individual components were effective in controlling susceptible FAW. In whole-plant assays, MON 95379 controlled FAW resistant to the Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 proteins. Likewise, under field conditions, MON 95379 maize expressing Cry1B.868 and Cry1Da_7 was highly effective at protecting plants against the larval feeding of FAW. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of Cry1B.868 and Cry1Da_7 in MON 95379 consistently protected maize plants against larval feeding by FAW and represents an alternative to manage trait resistance issues in South America. © 2021 Bayer Crop Science-US. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparing agronomic and phenotypic plant characteristics between single and stacked events in soybean, maize, and cotton.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are one of the most valuable tools of modern biotechnology that secure yield potential needed to sustain the global agricultural demands for food, feed, fiber, and energy. Crossing single GM events through conventional breeding has proven to be an effective way to pyramid GM traits from individual events and increase yield protection in the resulting combined products. Even though years of research and commercialization of GM crops show that these organisms are safe and raise no additional biosafety concerns, some regulatory agencies still require risk assessments for these products. We sought out to investigate whether stacking single GM events would have a significant impact on agronomic and phenotypic plant characteristics in soybean, maize, and cotton. Several replicated field trials designed as randomized complete blocks were conducted by Monsanto Regulatory Department from 2008 to 2017 in field sites representative of cultivation regions in Brazil. In total, twenty-one single and stacked GM materials currently approved for in-country commercial use were grown with the corresponding conventional counterparts and commercially available GM/non-GM references. The generated data were presented to the Brazilian regulatory agency CTNBio (National Biosafety Technical Committee) over the years to request regulatory approvals for the single and stacked products, in compliance with the existing normatives. Data was submitted to analysis of variance and differences between GM and control materials were assessed using t-test with a 5% significance level. Data indicated the predominance of similarities and neglectable differences between single and stacked GM crops when compared to conventional counterpart. Our results support the conclusion that combining GM events through conventional breeding does not alter agronomic or phenotypic plant characteristics in these stacked crops. This is compatible with a growing weight of evidence that indicates this long-adopted strategy does not increase the risks associated with GM materials. It also provides evidence to support the review and modernization of the existing regulatory normatives to no longer require additional risk assessments of GM stacks comprised of previously approved single events for biotechnology-derived crops. The data analyzed confirms that the risk assessment of the individual events is sufficient to demonstrate the safety of the stacked products, which deliver significant benefits to growers and to the environment.