Introduction of genotypic effects into GeneSys-Rape: the example of height and male sterility

The aim of this study was to introduce effects of rape genotypes on gene flow between rape populations into the existing GeneSys-Rape model and to simulate the influence of existing rapeseed cultivars on gene flow between rapeseed populations in time and in space. The GeneSys-Rape input variables are the regional field pattern, crop successions, cultivation techniques and genotype of cropped cultivars. The main output variables are, for each year and plot, the number of individuals per square meter and the genotype proportions in the harvest. Results comprised: (1) sensitivity analyses of the model to cultivar characteristics, which showed the importance of pollen emission on gene flow in space, and of height on gene flow in time and (2) a study of the effect of genotype and of its interaction with cropping system on harvest contamination rate, using simulations with semi-dwarf and varietal associations in different cropping systems. These confirmed the results of the sensitivity analysis and showed that both rapeseed types are of interest to limit gene flow, each in a different situation.