Published in the Chat 'n Chew Cafe, March 2000
URL: http://www.kingcorn.org/news/articles.00/GMO_Issues-000309.html

Recommendations for Producing Non-GMO Corn and Soybeans: A Plan for Year 2000

Joe Burris
Emeritus Professor
Iowa State University
1707 Burnett Ave.
Ames, IA 50010
Email address: jsburris@iastate.edu
 

Edited by RLNielsen, Purdue Univ. Agronomy

In 2000, some growers may choose to preserve the identity (IP) of non-genetically enhanced corn or soybeans. Crops, such as corn with wind-borne pollen, will require more consideration of production practices than for soybeans. This guide was prepared in response to a number of questions related to defining the best production practices that growers may use for this purpose. After a thorough review of the literature it was clear that no definitive publication was available to address this need. Further, although considerable research focused on developing best production practices for seed is underway, the results are not likely to be available for the 2000-cropping season.

Thus, the following guidelines incorporate recommended IP guidelines for corn grain production as well as published literature and the isolation standards recommended for seed production. However, caution must be exercised in using seed production practices as a guide for establishing grain production practices because of uncertainty about whether seed and grain quality standards will be the same. Currently, no quality standards have been established for IP produced non-genetically enhanced crops.

Therefore, please keep in mind that these are only “suggestions” made for the grower’s consideration prior to crop year 2000. Implementation of these suggestions does not guarantee that crop produced will be free of adventitious genetic events.

Field Selection:

The typical cropping rotation of corn/soybeans reduces the likelihood of volunteer plants of the same species. However, if the crop will follow the same species (e.g., corn after corn), cultural practices which reduce the potential survival of volunteer plants should be practiced. In addition, the following points regarding field selection should be considered:

• To increase management flexibility, larger fields of a non-genetically enhanced variety should be used where at all possible.
• The selected field either should not have produced the crop considered or at least not produced a genetically enhanced version of the crop the previous year. For example, appropriate rotations should be utilized or clean fall tillage may also limit possible volunteer plants.
• The crops to be grown in adjacent fields should be considered. If a genetically enhanced crop of the same species (corn) is to be grown in adjacent fields, attention needs to be given to implementing adequate isolation distances and using an appropriate number of border rows (See Tables 1 to 4 for seed production recommendations).

Seed Selection:

The grower’s intentions should be discussed with his/her seed supplier to insure that the seed utilized for this designated production has not been developed as genetically enhanced seed. For example STS, IT, IMI, and PP traits are not genetically enhanced whereas Bt, RR, and LL are genetically enhanced.

Isolation Strategies:

Since, in some ways, identity preserved grain production is similar to seed production, the recommendations that relate to the production of hybrid corn can be used as a guide for grain production. Tables 1 to 4 summarize the recommendations for corn provided by the certification agencies both at the national level (AOSCA) and state by state in the Cornbelt.

It is obvious that there is an advantage to larger production fields and to greater isolation distances. However, it is also clear that if the grower has a market or use for the grain produced in the border rows simply removing 12 – 16 outside rows should be adequate to insure high quality grain. Other points to consider:

• In the case of corn, the grower should make every reasonable effort to identify the presence of transgenic events in neighboring fields. (Examples of such activity for cross pollinating seed crops could include but not be limited to interviewing neighboring farmers prior to planting to determine their planting intentions for crop and variety.)
• In the case of soybean, since it is self-pollinated the risk of contamination from outside sources is very low and field isolation concerns are minimal.

Harvest and Storage:

The grower should carefully clean all harvest, handling, hauling, and storage equipment (combines, elevators, wagons, and storage bins prior to harvest). If border rows are being harvested, the equipment should be cleaned after this portion of the field is harvested.

Records:

It is advised that the grower maintain a record of all activities and, if necessary, secure closure of the storage bins. This should include agronomic inputs as well as cultural practices and field description and location. Utilization plans for the isolation border rows and handling plans for other genetically enhanced crops produced by the grower need to be thoroughly planned well in advance of planting the crop. For additional information on identity preserved grain production contact the state extension service or the Crop Improvement Association.

Editor's note:

In response to growers questions, the American Seed Trade Association commissioned Dr. Joe Burris, Emeritus Professor Iowa State University, to review the literature and prepare these guidelines.

For other information about corn, take a look at the Corn Growers Guidebook on the World Wide Web at http://www.kingcorn.org

It is the policy of the Purdue Agronomy Department that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action employer. This material may be available in alternative formats.

© 2000, Purdue University

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