This project is based on field research of interactions between agricultural ecosystems and natural ecosystems. The potential ecological risks of movement of transgene-virus recombinants will be evaluated by quantifying BYDV spread from crops to wild grass hosts and examining virus effects on competitive relations in natural plant communities. The potential ecological risks of transgene movement from crops to wild relatives will be assessed by examining the effect of BYDV on the fitness and competitiveness of wild oats and exploring the potential for measuring gene flow from cultivated oats to wild oats. This research will permit informed risk assessment of transgenic BYDV resistance. The GFP gene allows the researcher to identify transgenic plants by shining a hand-held UV light on them.
Transgenic plants fluoresce green and wildtype plants appear red under UV light.
In addition, the ecological performance of the transgenic weeds will be tested in the field. The GFP gene will allow easy detection and monitoring of the Bt insecticidal gene. Not only does the research generate data important to the plant industry and public concerns, it also offers a glimpse of how transgenic plants may be monitored in the future.