HERBICIDE-RESISTANT TURFGRASS ALERT

[John Shuey]

Given past discussions - I though that this might be of interest to the
list

JOhn

Subject: herbicide-resistant turfgrass alert
> > >
> > >
> > > > HERBICIDE-RESISTANT TURFGRASS ALERT
> > > >
> > > > edited
> > > > Diversity, a News Journal for the
> > > > International Genetic Resources Community, Volume 16, Nos. 1&2,
2000:
> > > >
> > > > As of March 2000, 48 notifications and 12 permits were filed
with
> > > > USDA-APHIS for commercially transformed creeping bentgrass
(Agrostis
> > > > stolonifera); and 10 for Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis).
> > > > Successful commercialization depends on this herbicide-resistant

grass
> > > > being deregulated by APHIS.
> > > >
> > > > This is no small matter for several reasons:
> > > > 1)   The size of the turfgrass seed industry is second only to
that
> > > > of hybrid seed corn.
> > > > 2)   Creeping bentgrass is the first perennial, stoloniferous,
> > > > wind-pollinated, outcrossing transgenic crop to be grown next to

> > > > naturalized and native populations of cross-compatible perennial

> > > > relatives and native species.
> > > > 3)   Agrostis species are notorious for hybridizing freely. Six
> > > > non-native Agrostis species in the testing area alone (Oregon's
> > > > Willamette Valley) have become established along roadsides and
other
> > > > disturbed areas, forming "hybrid swarms."
> > > > 4)   As of the article date, no research had been published on
> > > > possible interspecific hybridization with native Agrostis
species.
> > > > 5)   We know little of the potential risks from the sale and
> > > > large-scale seed production of such altered crops.  (And these
may
> > > > end up on a lot of golf courses in America.)
> > > > 6)   Under a permit from APHIS, Pure Seed Testing, Inc.
conducted a
> > > > study to, among other things, gather initial data on pollen
movement
> > > > and stud interspecific gene flow into five introduced species of

> > > > bentgrass.
> > > >       Results from the study showed that:
> > > >       a)   the transgenic gene can pass to other introduced
> (non-native)
> > > > Agrostis species
> > > >       b)   the transgenic gene may be spread for much longer
distances
> > > > than previously theorized
> > > >       c)   the transgenic plants were fertile and stable
> > > >       d)   cereal rye (which has acted as a successful pollen
barrier
> > for
> > > > other turfgrasses) was not an effective barrier for the
> > > genetically-altered
> > > > Agrostis.
> > > > 7)   In February 2000, the first natural
TRIPLE-HERBICIDE-resistant
> > weeds
> > > > were reportedly discovered in Canada.
> > > > 8)   Transgenic creeping bentgrass may be the tip of the
iceberg.
> > > > Other species, known for their weediness in natural areas are
sure
to
> > > > come. Some of genetically-altered turfgrass cultivars also may
> > > > eventually be endophyte-enhanced. (Endophytes are naturally
occurring
> > > > fungi.  They are implicated, however, in stillbirths and fetal
> > > > deformities in ungulate animals.)  The end result may be
turfgrass
> > > > weeds that are harder to kill...and a lot of sick animals.  (I'm

> > > > checking on this angle.)
> > > > 9)   Plans are under way for the possible sale of
herbicide-resistant
> > > > turfgrass species through, you guessed it, HOME DEPOT.
> > > >
> > > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > > > To get off the CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM list, send any message
to:
> > > > CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM-signoff-request at LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG

--
John Shuey
Director of Conservation Science
Indiana Office of The Nature Conservancy

phone:  317-923-7547
fax:  317-923-7582
email:  Jshuey at tnc.org



 
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