Consistent Risk Assessment Outcomes from Agronomic Characterization of GE Maize in Diverse Regions and as Single‐Event and Stacked Products

• Published in: Crop science 2019-07, Vol.59 (4), p.1681-1691
• Main Authors: Clawson, Ernest L., Perrett, Jamis J., Cheng, Lulu, Ahmad, Aqeel, Stojšin, Duška, McGowan, Yan, Díaz, Oscar Heredia, Asim, Muhammad, Vertuan, Hallison, Quddusi, Murtaza, Soares, Daniel J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0011-183X; 1435-0653
• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2018.12.0758

ABSTRACT In commercializing a genetically engineered (GE) crop, agronomic characterization studies that contribute to environmental risk assessment (ERA) may be repeated in different global regions. Likewise, these studies may be done both for single‐event GE products and for traditional breeding crosses that combine GE events (breeding stacks). The objectives of this research were to assess the need for de novo agronomic characterization if previously done in another region or for each event in a breeding stack. Data were obtained for the GE maize (Zea mays L.) products MON 89034 (insect protected), NK603 (herbicide tolerant), and the breeding stack MON 89034 × NK603. The field trials were done from 2004 to 2014 in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and/or the United States. Sources of environmental diversity among the regions (i.e., countries) included differences in the prevalent climate classes of their sites. Although values for the agronomic characteristics varied among regions, event × region interactions caused