Verein Deutscher Ingenieure

Monitoring the effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - Guidelines for the collection and preparation of plant samples for molecular biological analysis
 N VDI 4330 BLATT 5

Annotation

This guideline describes the sampling, transportation and storage of plant material and the extraction of nucleic acid in the context of monitoring genetically modified plants (GM plants) which have been placed on the market. Below is a list of investigations which may be relevant to the context:

• testing plants (crops or hybrids derived from crossable species) on land adjacent to areas where GM crops are grown for the presence of GM traits

• testing plants (crops or hybrids derived from crossable species) along transport routes for the presence of GM traits

• testing volunteer crops on arable land for the presence of GM traits

• testing for the presence of GM crops in non- GM fields adjacent to fields where GM crops are grown

• testing the identity of GM crops in the context of cultivation

Before sampling can take place, a sampling strategy which allows for representative and practical sampling must be developed, depending on the aim of the research. This guideline does not describe sampling strategies for collecting plant samples.

The performance of floristic mapping to record potential GM plants and their offspring is described in guideline VDI 4330 Part 10.

Instructions for sampling pollen can be found in Part 3 and Part 4 of the VDI 4330 guideline series.

Suitable methods for detecting genetically modified nucleic acids are described in guideline VDI 4330 Part 7 (PCR methods).