BioMatNet Item: BIOTECH2 Programme: BIO4960027

[BioMatNet Database - European Commission]

BIOTECH2 Programme: BIO4960027
IMPACT II

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
BIOTECH2 Programme : Biotechnology : Integrated Crop Protection & Biological Control

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	BIO4960027
	Start Date	01/11/96
	Duration	36 Months

The IMPACT project was initially funded from September 1993 to September 1996 inclusive. IMPACT II is a continuation of this project and will run from November 1996 until November 1999.

Objectives

Evaluate natural rhizosphere communities during normal agricultural practice including transgenic rhizospheres and GM microbial inoculants. Evaluate genetic traits useful for predicting the effect and fate of GM inoculants released into the rhizosphere.
Develop and evaluate GM inoculants (Azospirillum, Rhizobium) with controlled survival and persistence under commercially relevant field conditions.
The role of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) microorganisms in biological containment strategies, consequences for biosafety evaluation. Estimate the diversity of VBNC microbes in the rhizosphere.
Microbial diversity and its functional significance in the rhizosphere of key European crop plants (model and transgenic plants). Evaluate natural variation of microbes and key genetic traits of biotechnological importance in the rhizosphere i.e. biopesticides and biofertilisers.

Description of IMPACT II Work Programme:

The objective of IMPACT II is to study the molecular-ecological interactions of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) of commercial interest with indigenous species of the rhizosphere of key European food crops.

International regulation governs the use of GM plants and microbial inoculants. A thorough knowledge of their behaviour and interactions with different components of the soil ecosystem is therefore required.

The IMPACT II project is designed to provide a multidisciplinary and coordinated approach to generate information and solutions to key issues necessary to improve the commercialisation of new plant and microbial biotechnology products. A unique feature of the project is that it builds on the knowledge base of an existing network of 17 partners (including 5 industries) to integrate critical expertise in a number of areas necessary to develop aspects of molecular ecology, biodiversity and biosafety.

In the project, existing and newly developed GMOs with novel traits will be selected from network participants and will include industrially-relevant biofertilizer (Rhizobium, Azospirillum) and biopesticide (Pseudomonas, Trichoderma) inoculants. The impact of these GM inoculants on key bacterial and fungal populations and the biodiversity of the rhizosphere of important European crop plants will be assessed under normal agricultural practice.

The impact of the structure and function of soil microbial communities will be monitored in an integrated fashion and will incorporate biochemical parameters for microbial mass and activity, bioindicator organisms for soil quality, plant health, and crop yield and quality. The impact of antifungal proteins generated from transgenic plants on microbial communities and their diversity in the rhizosphere will also be investigated.

Impact studies relating to GMMs (genetically modified microorganisms) and transgenic plants will evaluate the genetic basis of interactions between biocontrol agents and the host plant, and the role and activity of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) microorganisms in the rhizosphere. The analysis of these mechanisms and of the genes involved is a prerequisite to predict the fate, the effect and the biosafety of GMMs in the soil environment. Management will involve inputs from a science panel, in addition to the role of the coordinator.

Project outputs will provide key information to national and European institutions and agencies on the benefits and likely ecological impact/risks associated with GMMs and transgenic plants in European agricultural systems.

Contacts

Coordinator

Fergal P O'GARA / National University of Ireland BIOMERIT Research Centre / IRELAND

Participant