Effect of herbivore stress on transgene behaviour in maize crosses with different genetic backgrounds: transgene transcription, insecticidal protein expression and bioactivity against insect pests.

Background: Decades after their first commercial release, many theoretical assumptions are still taken for granted in the deployment of genetically modified (GM) crops. Theoretically, in the case of maize, active transcription of the transgene would result in dose-dependent production of the insecticidal Cry1Ab protein, which would in turn induce dose-dependent mortality on lepidopteran pests. We produced data to realistically approach this question by using a model that includes two genetic background contexts from two geographical provenances in Brazil and South Africa, and two lepidopteran pests ( and ).

Transgene behavior in Zea mays L. crosses across different genetic backgrounds: Segregation patterns, cry1Ab transgene expression, insecticidal protein concentration and bioactivity against insect pests.

Brazil and South Africa, countries with economies in transition, are characterized by a dual agrarian structure co-occurring, sometimes, alongside in the same region. Large-scale commercial farming produces crops for export to global markets on the one hand, and small-scale farming, on the other hand, provides for subsistence and local markets. In both systems, maize (Zea mays) is a key crop for these two countries.

Teosinte in Europe - Searching for the Origin of a Novel Weed.

A novel weed has recently emerged, causing serious agronomic damage in one of the most important maize-growing regions of Western Europe, the Northern Provinces of Spain. The weed has morphological similarities to a wild relative of maize and has generally been referred to as teosinte. However, the identity, origin or genetic composition of 'Spanish teosinte' was unknown.