GROWTH-BEHAVIOR AND COMPETITIVE ABILITY OF TRANSGENIC CROPS

One of the major concerns about introducing transgenic plants to field conditions is the possible creation of a new weed either by the trans formed plant itself or through its hybrids with wild relatives. An inc reased fitness of the transgenic plant could be the result of major ch anges in characteristics found in the phases of the lifecycle, especia lly the competitive ability. We tested transgenic plants under greenho use and field conditions, and found it possible to quantify relative c ompetitive ability under standard growth conditions. These tests could be used in pre-release testing to identify significant changes in com petitiveness compared to a range of nontransformed material.