Improved method for nondestructive measurement of dynamic pollen source strength from transgenic crops using sonic anemometer

Authors

  • Junming Wang New Mexico State University
  • Xiusheng Yang Former President of AOC, PhD, Prof, Dept of Nat Res Manag & Eng, University of Connecticut

Keywords:

Corn, Pollen, Gene flow, Release rate, Source strength, Transgenic crops

Abstract

Pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic crops is a concern of the scientific community as well as the general public. Current lack is a nondestructive method to measure dynamic (hourly or shorter time period) source pollen release rate (source strength) from these crops. This paper reports an improved method using Rotorod concentration samplers and sticky slides, together with a fast response sonic anemometer, for measuring source strength from transgenic corn crops. Field measurements were made during the pollination season of 2001 at the Agronomy Research Farm, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. Data were analyzed and used to estimate the pollen source strength of the corn crops at hourly time steps by considering both atmospheric transport and gravitational deposition processes. Details of the calculation and assumptions of the method are provided. Results from this study demonstrate that this method is sufficiently robust for use in estimating pollen source strength of transgenic crops with heavy pollen grains in assessing gene flow risks associated with field production of transgenic crops.

Key words: corn, pollen, gene flow, release rate, source strength, transgenic crops
DOI: 10.3965/j.issn.1934-6344.2009.01.033-039

Citation: Junming Wang, Xiusheng Yang. Improved method for nondestructive measurement of dynamic pollen source strength from transgenic crops using sonic anemometer. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2009; 2(1): 33

Author Biography

Xiusheng Yang, Former President of AOC, PhD, Prof, Dept of Nat Res Manag & Eng, University of Connecticut

Dr. Xiusheng (Harrison) Yang Professor Director, Connecticut State Climate Center (CSCC) President, Association of Chinese American Agricultural Scientists (ACAAS) Department of Natural Resources Management and Engineering The University of Connecticut U-4087, 1376 Storrs Road Storrs, CT 06269-4087 Tel: (860) 486-0135 Fax: (860) 486-5408 Email:Xiusheng.Yang@uconn.edu http://www.cag.uconn.edu/nrme/nrme/pages/people/bios/yang.php

Downloads

Published

2009-03-31

How to Cite

Wang, J., & Yang, X. (2009). Improved method for nondestructive measurement of dynamic pollen source strength from transgenic crops using sonic anemometer. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 2(1), 33–39. Retrieved from https://ijabe.migration.pkpps03.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/ijabe/article/view/93

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2009): IJABE

Section

Information Technology, Sensors and Control Systems

License

IJABE is an international peer reviewed open access journal, adopting Creative Commons Copyright Notices as follows.


Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:


  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).