Transgenes detection in traditional and commercial maize varieties in Borborema Territory, Paraíba

Abstract

This experience describes Borborema Territory Communitarian Seed Bank Network (CSB)
campaign “I don’t grow transgenic seeds not to delete my history” in monitoring transgenic
contamination in local seeds. Between 2014 and 2016 lateral flow tests were applied to maize
samples from sources usually accessed by local farmers in order to assess transgenic contamination.
70 samples (36%) tested positive, mostly materials genetically modified by origin.
120 samples of local varieties (64%) coming from CSB tested negative for transgene contamination.
It is concluded that this high level of positives results from a continued drought period
in the region, reducing maize production and demanding the cereal from other regions. The
results obtained using lateral flow tests were confronted to molecular essays and proved the
former to be an important tool to monitor seed quality at field level. Eventually, the communitarian
seed management.