Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 1. The plantation of lignin-modified transgenic trees in a field trial makes
possible the evaluation of the effects of lignin modifications on the GM tree growth
and development, in comparison to wild-type plants grown in the same natural
conditions. Top left: overview of lignin-modified GM poplar trees grown as short
rotation coppices in Ardon, France, the trials was set up after obtaining suitable
authorizations from the French Ministry of Agriculture in 2007, with a surrounded
cleared area to control sucker development. GM tree agronomical performances were
monitored under a variety of environmental cues over the seasons within each year: in
summer (top right), in the fall (bottom left) and in winter (bottom right) (credit photo:
G. Pilate).
As a matter of a fact, published field studies with transgenic trees are far
from numerous for several reasons. The first and probably main reason is
certainly related to the time and effort needed to set up a field trial with trees
and the corresponding delays in the production of valuable results, delays
often not compatible with the duration of research funding. The second
reason is linked to the additional regulatory burden of disseminating GM
plants in the field. This is why most of the published studies concern analyses
of greenhouse-grown GM trees. Finally, it should be pointed out that
although numerous field trials are currently under evaluation, available
data from these experiments is limited. In the following section, we present
an outline of the experiments involving transgenic trees emphasizing, when
possible, the comparison of the results obtained in the greenhouse versus in
