title: Fitness of hybrids between rapeseed (Brassica napus) and wild Brassica rapa in natural habitats.
abstract: 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 x Brassica rapa hybrids in natural populations. The F1 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. approximately 20% of F1 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Plant Science Laboratories, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AS, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allainguillaume
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bullock
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Allender
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D029688:Brassica napus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D029741:Brassica rapa / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D002678:Chimera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D011058:Pollen / Q000254:growth & development; D011123:Polyploidy; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development