Division 1.3.5 Comparative analysis of agronomic and phenotypic characteristics

The applicant shall provide a comparison between the genetically modified plant and its conventional counterpart. This comparison shall enable the applicant to identify unintended effects resulting from the genetic modification and shall address also plant biology and agronomic traits, including common breeding parameters (such as yield, plant morphology, flowering time, day degrees to maturity, duration of pollen viability, response to plant pathogens and insect pests, sensitivity to abiotic stress). The protocols of these field trials shall follow the specifications set out in Section 1.3.2.

Where transformation events are stacked by conventional crossing, there may also be changes to agronomic and phenotypic characteristics. Possible differences in phenotypic characteristics and agronomic properties of stacked transformation events shall be assessed in field trials. Where appropriate, the applicant shall provide additional information on agronomic traits of the stacked transformation events from additional field trials.