ŠEVČÍK, M. Environmental-economic aspects of cultivation of selected genetically modified plants in European Union. Diploma thesis. Mendel University in Brno. Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, 2017. This diploma thesis deals with the topic of cultivation of selected genetically modified crops in the EU. Literature part describes population development and food production in Europe after the Industrial Revolution, while the other parts are focused on the mechanism of genetic modification of crops, the potential impacts of their cultivation, as well as the perception of this issue in the public and interest groups followed by description of the past and current state of GM crop cultivation in the EU, with particular emphasis on the legislative and institutional framework of the issue. The literature part is concluded by comparison of the environmental and economic impacts of growing MON810 maize on the territory of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia, and a subchapter on the potential benefits of growing Roundup Ready Soy in the EU. The practical part of the thesis presents the results of a one-year soybean experiment with the aim of finding the optimum types and dose of fertilizers for the highest yield and nutritional value of the seed. On the basis of these results, the author of the thesis then estimates the potential of introducing genetically modified soybean - Roundup Ready variety, in EU.

This study describes development of methods for screening, identification and quantification of genetic modifications in maize samples. Totally 88 maize samples were collected randomly throughout Turkey in three years from 2006 to 2008 and were analyzed. Two maize samples that were detected as GM positive in previous studies were selected as positive controls. Following the DNA extraction by manual CTAB method, conventional PCR methods were employed for screening of genetic modifications in samples by detecting of P-35S and T-NOS. Qualitative PCR methods were conducted for target specific detection of cry and pat genes. Construct-specific and event-specific PCR assays were designed for detection of Bt11, Bt10 and Mon810 maize events. Specific primers and corresponding probes labeled with reporter and quencher dyes were designed for both absolute and relative quantification of Bt11 and Mon810 in samples by using TaqMan probe method. Comparing the absolute and relative quantification results indicates that there is correlation between them. In order to verify the accuracy of the quantification methods, three parallel applications were conducted according to the CRL validated protocol. The statistical analyses were performed to check the precision and repeatability of the quantification experiments by in-house validation methods. Regarding the Repeatability Relative Standard Deviation (RSDr) values of absolute and relative quantifications of Bt11 and Mon810 systems majority of the validation results accomplish the ENGL requirements for quantification of GMOs. According to screening assays, the overall results indicate that five samples (H3, H48, H73, 4M, 4G) were detected as GM positive. While the samples H3 and H48 were identified as Bt11, it was shown that the sample 4M and 4G contains both of the Bt11 and Mon810 maize events. Bt11 quantification results show samples H3 and 4G respectively with 1.06% and 5.36% exceed the 0.9% threshold level. Amount of Mon810 in samples was determined as 1.33 % for 4M and 17.32% for 4G which is higher than 0.9% threshold level. Sample H73 which was detected as GM positive did not contain Bt11 and Mon810 maize events. Since the methods developed in this study reduce dependence on commercial kits they would contribute to expansion of GMO testing in Turkey with lower cost. However the methods developed in this work should be extended to other maize events and their validation procedure should be completed.

The maize stem borers, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are economically important pests of maize in South Africa. Genetically modified Bt maize (MON810) expressing Cry1Ab protein is used to control these pests on approximately 425 000 hectares in South Africa. Before this study no information was available on the diversity of Lepidoptera on maize in South Africa or the potential impact of Bt maize on non-target Lepidoptera species under field conditions. There was also no information on the susceptibility to Bt maize of another stem borer species, Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is not a target species of Bt maize. The aims of this study were to determine which Lepidoptera species occur and feed on maize and could be directly exposed to Bt toxin as well as to assess the levels of infestation of target stem borer species and non-target Lepidoptera species on Bt- and non-Bt maize fields. Field collections of Lepidoptera that were directly exposed to Bt toxin through feeding on Bt maize plants were done between January 2004 and May 2006. Surveys were conducted in the North-West, Free State, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. In order to quantify infestation levels and incidence of larvae on plants, sampling was done by inspecting between 300 – 900 plants per field. Studies were also done to compare the incidence of damaged plants and larvae on plants between Bt- and adjacent non-Bt maize fields. The susceptibility of S. calamistis to several Bt maize hybrids was evaluated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Fifteen species of Lepidoptera were recorded on maize plants. The following six species were recorded to feed on Bt maize and were reared on Bt maize until the adult stage: Acantholeucania loreyi (Noctuidae), Agrotis segetum (Noctuidae), B. fusca (Noctuidae), Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae), Eublemma gayneri (Noctuidae) and Nola phaeocraspis (Nolidae). Although Bt maize was damaged by several species of leaf, stem and ear feeding Lepidoptera in this study, the incidence of damage was always significantly lower on Bt maize fields than susceptible fields. This study provided base line data on Lepidoptera that feed on Bt maize in South Africa. Non-target Lepidoptera species that are directly exposed to Bt toxin was identified. An ecological model wasused to develop a preliminary risk assessment for Bt maize through which priority species for research and monitoring was identified as well as species that are at risk of resistance development. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science (Plant Protection))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The maize stem borers, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are economically important pests of maize in South Africa. Genetically modified Bt maize (MON810) expressing Cry1Ab protein is used to control these pests on approximately 425 000 hectares in South Africa. Before this study no information was available on the diversity of Lepidoptera on maize in South Africa or the potential impact of Bt maize on non-target Lepidoptera species under field conditions. There was also no information on the susceptibility to Bt maize of another stem borer species, Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is not a target species of Bt maize. The aims of this study were to determine which Lepidoptera species occur and feed on maize and could be directly exposed to Bt toxin as well as to assess the levels of infestation of target stem borer species and non-target Lepidoptera species on Bt- and non-Bt maize fields. Field collections of Lepidoptera that were directly exposed to Bt toxin through feeding on Bt maize plants were done between January 2004 and May 2006. Surveys were conducted in the North-West, Free State, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. In order to quantify infestation levels and incidence of larvae on plants, sampling was done by inspecting between 300 – 900 plants per field. Studies were also done to compare the incidence of damaged plants and larvae on plants between Bt- and adjacent non-Bt maize fields. The susceptibility of S. calamistis to several Bt maize hybrids was evaluated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Fifteen species of Lepidoptera were recorded on maize plants. The following six species were recorded to feed on Bt maize and were reared on Bt maize until the adult stage: Acantholeucania loreyi (Noctuidae), Agrotis segetum (Noctuidae), B. fusca (Noctuidae), Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae), Eublemma gayneri (Noctuidae) and Nola phaeocraspis (Nolidae). Although Bt maize was damaged by several species of leaf, stem and ear feeding Lepidoptera in this study, the incidence of damage was always significantly lower on Bt maize fields than susceptible fields. This study provided base line data on Lepidoptera that feed on Bt maize in South Africa. Non-target Lepidoptera species that are directly exposed to Bt toxin was identified. An ecological model wasused to develop a preliminary risk assessment for Bt maize through which priority species for research and monitoring was identified as well as species that are at risk of resistance development. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science (Plant Protection))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.