Outcrossing frequencies from multiple high erucic acid oilseed rape fields to a central receptor field

Genetically modified oilseed rape is currently grown on about 23 % of the global oilseed rape acreage. In order to separate transgenic and non-transgenic oilseed rape production and to ensure co-existence of different agricultural cultivation schemes, as is specified by the European legislation, confinement measures have to be defined. Pollen-mediated gene flow is the most important means by which transgenes are dispersed between fields. In contrast to the majority of the previous investigations the objective of this study was to assess the extent of gene flow in the case of multiple pollen-donor fields. A high erucic acid rape genotype was used as biochemical marker for the quantification of outcrossing into a low erucic acid oilseed rape variety. Outcrossing data were obtained from two experimental locations. As expected, multiple pollen sources in a fragmented landscape can result in high gene transfer frequencies, thus requiring larger isolation distances than a field design with a single pollen donor source. The results of the study are transferable to homozygous transgenic oilseed rape varieties.