GM Crop Farm-Scale Evaluations:
Research Contractors
The Scottish Crop Research Institute
The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) is a major international centre for research on crops and on the underlying processes common to all plants. It aims to increase knowledge of the basic biological sciences, to improve crop yield and quality, and to develop environmentally benign and sustainable methods of protecting crops from pests, pathogens and weeds. A broad multidisciplinary approach is a special strength, while the range of skills facilitates links between fundamental science and applications. SCRI obtains core funding from the Scottish Office Agriculture Environment and Fisheries Department (SOAEFD) and additional commissions from other government departments and the agricultural levy organisations.
Research on biodiversity and transgene risk: The Institute has a strong base in research on the biodiversity of arable and semi-natural ecosystems. The programme combines the disciplines of ecology, molecular biology, genetics, crop protection, statistics and mathematics. Specific areas of interest are the links between diversity and ecological function, comparative genomics and bioinformatics, conservation of germplasm, and the effects of habitat fragmentation on gene flow. A particular aim of the work is to understand the links between fine scale effects, such as the introduction of a new gene or trait, and regional scale behaviour of populations. Case studies of population dynamics in plant and animal communities. used as a background against which to assess changes and impacts. The studies of the arable seedbank are the most comprehensive of those current in the UK. In particular, the recently completed seven-year MAFF-funded Talisman and set-aside projects show how herbicide inputs influence the size and composition of the seedbank. In grassland research, the Institute has a co-ordinating role in studies linking genetic and physiological diversity. Further expertise lies in soil nematode populations, soil microbial function, entomology and pathology.
Research relevant to GM herbicide tolerance: The Institute's ecological research programme provides a base for new work on the consequences and risks of introducing genetically modified (GM) crops. Pollen movement, gene flow and work on populations are carried out in an extensive agricultural region. The Institute was among the first to detect long-distance gene flow from crops of oilseed rape. Subsequent studies quantified the persistence of feral and weedy plant communities descended from oilseed rape crops and the extent of gene exchange between crops and ferals. The field work is used to develop mathematical models of seedbank management and regional scale gene flow. The models are used to interpret data and inform government policy on the risks associated with GM crops. A range of studies in the laboratory are also carried out. For instance, the Institute demonstrated that GM antifeedant genes in crop plants might affect non-target organisms such as ladybirds.
Statistical and mathematical expertise: A strong mathematical group operates at SCRI, specialising in the behaviour of complex bio-physical systems such as soil microbial communities, species-rich vegetation, and catchments. The expertise of the group is called on to explore and predict population changes resulting from perturbations to systems.
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Page published 13 August
1999;
Page last modified
10 August, 2002