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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #226886

Title: Gene flow in genetically altered crops helps progress transgenic turfgrass.

Author
item Gealy, David

Submitted to: Turfgrass Trends
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2008
Publication Date: 7/1/2008
Citation: Gealy, D.R. 2008. Gene flow in genetically altered crops helps progress transgenic turfgrass. Turfgrass Trends. pp. 53-60.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Numerous useful traits are being imparted into transgenic and non-transgenic plants. Gene flow as indicated in a recent publication from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST 2007) is the successful transfer of genetic information between different individuals, populations, and generations (to progeny) and across spatial dimensions. Most approved transgenic crops and the key traits they carry are likely to have little impact on the dynamics of gene flow, especially outside of agricultural fields. Reproductive biology differs markedly among plant species leading to differences in the potential for outcrossing and subsequent gene flow. Economically or environmentally significant gene flow into weedy relatives of transgenic plants often is limited due to restricted geographical overlap of the transgenic plant and weed regions or because the weedy relatives are not very competitive or invasive. Precommercialization testing and approval systems assure that the potential impacts from gene flow are minimized. Where trait characteristics warrant, a variety of practices can be used to reduce gene flow effects. Molecular containment technologies are also under development to supplement existing gene flow mitigation tools.