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Results of a pre-commercial field scale trial conducted in 30 sites in
Germany demonstrated that coexistence between Bt maize and the
non-transgenic counterpart is possible. The study conducted by W. E.
Weber and colleagues at the Martin Luther University, showed that levels
of the transgene in the grains of the non-transgenic maize can be kept
below 0.9 percent, the threshold level for labeling GM products in the
European Union, March 2007.

The group of Weber grew maize in field sites ranging from 0.3 to 23
hectares in size. In all areas, a Bt maize hybrid containing transgenic
event MON810 was planted in the middle of the field and surrounded by
non-Bt maize. The maize flowering times were overlapping. During
harvesting, the researchers obtained plant samples from the non-Bt maize
located 0 to 60 meters away from the Bt maize. The DNA of the samples
was analyzed by two diagnostic laboratories where real-time PCR was used
to detect the levels of the transgene.

The study has determined that no samples from the conventional maize
collected beyond 10 meters had levels of GM above the threshold of 0.9
percent. The researchers recommend that planting 20 meters of
conventional maize as a pollen barrier between adjacent fields is
sufficient in managing the outcrossing between Bt and non-Bt maize.

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