Page contents General information Genetically modified plant Genetic modification Experimental Release Environmental Impact and Risk Management Final report European Commission administrative Information Return to search

General information Notification Number B/BE/24/V3 Member State to which the notification was sent Belgium Date of acknowledgement from the Member State Competent Authority 12/01/2024 Title of the Project Scientific field evaluation of maize with improved digestibility Proposed period of release: 15/04/2024 to 31/10/2025 Name of the Institute(s) or Company(ies) VIB (Vlaams Interuniversitair Instituut voor Biotechnologie)
Is the same GMPt been notified elsewhere by the same notifier? No Has the same GMPt been notified elsewhere by the same notifier? No Genetically modified plant Complete name of the recipient or parental plant(s):

Common Name	Family Name	Genus	Species	Subspecies	Cultivar/breeding line
maize	poaceae	zea	zea mays	mays	inbred line B104

Description of the traits and characteristics which have been introduced or modified, including marker genes and previous modifications: The genetically modified maize plants have an altered composition of their cell wall resulting from the presence of mutations in three genes involved in the biosynthesis of lignin. These mutations lead to the inactivation of these genes. The plants have a lowered lignin content in their cell walls which is expected to contribute to a better digestibility of the maize thereby improving the feed conversion rate.In first instance plants with a single homozygous mutation in one gene involved in the biosynthesis of lignin were made, creating a pool of plants, each with a homozygous mutation in a different gene involved in the biosynthesis of lignin. Using conventional crossing plants were generated that combine homozygous mutations in three different genes. Genetic modification Type of genetic modification: Deletion; In case of deletion of genetic material, give information on the function of the deleted sequences: The plants have small deletions and in one case the addition of one basepair of DNA in genes involved in the biosynthesis of lignin, resulting in the knock-down of these genes. Brief description of the method used for the genetic modification: The plants have been modified using CRISPR-Cas. The CRISPR-Cas machinery was introduced into the maize using Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated genetic modification. This resulted in the stable integration of T-DNA containing the sequences coding for the guide RNA and CAS protein into the genome of the maize. Plants with the desired mutation were selected and the T-DNA was segregated out in the next generations leading to the selection of plants that only contained the desired mutation but no longer contained any foreign genetic material. If the recipient or parental plant is a forest tree species, describe ways and extent of dissemination and specific factors affecting dissemination: Not applicable Experimental Release Purpose of the release: The purpose of the release is to measure the performance of the modified maize plants under normal field conditions and learn whether they also in these conditions have an altered composition of their cell wall. The field trial also has the goal to determine whether the modification would lead to undesired effects such as a higher vulnerability for breaking of their stem during strong winds. Geographical location of the site: The field trial will take place on grounds belonging to the ILVO research institute in the municipality of Wetteren. Size of the site (m2): The trial plot, including non-modified controls, non-modified fertilizer lines and non-modified buffer rows is 684 m2. Relevant data regarding previous releases carried out with the same GM-plant, if any, specifically related to the potential environmental and human health impacts from the release: The plants have not been field tested before. Environmental Impact and Risk Management Summary of the potential environmental impact from the release of the GMPts: Note especially if the introduced traits could directly or indirectly confer an increased selective advantage in natural environments; also explain any signifant expected environmental benefitsThe environmental impact from the release is expected to be zero. The modified characteristics are not expected to lead to greater weediness or the ability of the maize to establish in non-agricultural habitats. The modified characteristics are also not expected to change the interaction of the maize with herbivores. It is possible that the altered composition of the cell wall leads to a change in the variety of micro-organisms that live in the maize, but this is not seen as a negative impact.There will also be no spread of the modified maize to the environment. The male flowers (tassels) of the maize will be removed before they can start shedding pollen, meaning that shedding of modified pollen to the environment is impossible. Also the spread of seeds to the environment is prevented. The modified seeds are well retained in the cobs and all cobs will be carefully hand harvested to prevent any spread of seeds. Brief description of any measures taken for the management of risks: The risk of spread of the modified properties to the environment is mitigated by removing the tassel, thus preventing the spread of modified pollen to non-modified maize plants in the surroundings. The formed modified seeds are, as already stated above, well retained in the cobs and these cobs will be very carefully hand harvested, thus preventing any spread of seeds to the environment. Experience with such field trials in the past 12 years has shown that the way the cobs are harvested effectively prevents any volunteers being formed. The field trial plot is surrounded by a 1.80 m high wire fence to prevent accidental trespassing and accidental removal or spread of GM material. Summary of foreseen field trial studies focused to gain new data on environmental and human health impact from the release: There are no specific studies foreseen to gain new data on the environmental and human health impact from the release other than the study of the phenotype and growth characteristics of the maize. Final report - European Commission administrative Information Consent given by the Member State Competent Authority: Not known