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Fitness of hybrids between rapeseed ( Brassica napus ) and wild Brassica rapa in natural habitats
Author(s) -
ALLAINGUILLAUME J.,
ALEXANDER M.,
BULLOCK J. M.,
SAUNDERS M.,
ALLENDER C. J.,
KING G.,
FORD C. S.,
WILKINSON M. J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2006.02856.x
Subject(s) - brassica rapa , biology , rapeseed , hybrid , brassica , agronomy , botany
Fitness of hybrids between genetically modified (GM) crops and wild relatives influences the likelihood of ecological harm. We measured fitness components in spontaneous (non‐GM) rapeseed × Brassica rapa hybrids in natural populations. The F 1 hybrids yielded 46.9% seed output of B. rapa , were 16.9% as effective as males on B. rapa and exhibited increased self‐pollination. Assuming 100% GM rapeseed cultivation, we conservatively predict < 7000 second‐generation transgenic hybrids annually in the United Kingdom (i.e. ∼20% of F 1 hybrids). Conversely, whilst reduced hybrid fitness improves feasibility of bio‐containment, stage projection matrices suggests broad scope for some transgenes to offset this effect by enhancing fitness.