U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Date of this Version
1999
Abstract
Over 30 species of grasses are utilized for turf (Huff 1998), while others are important in agriculture as forage crops. The commercial value of this group of plants makes them attractive for improvement through modern genetic engineering techniques (Johnson and Riordan, in press). Because of the diversity of species and the consequent differences in biology among them, broad generalizations regarding the ecological effects of pest resistance genes introduced into these crops cannot be made. Rather, questions regarding the potential for pest resistance genes must be directed toward specific cases in which the species and the particular introduced gene are known. In keeping with this approach, particular attention at this meeting was paid to the turfgrasses—in particular creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)—since these are the two grass species that have had transgenic lines tested in the field, and therefore are the species that present the greatest likelihood of being commercialized in the near future.
Comments
Published in Ecological Effects of Pest Resistance Genes in Managed Ecosystems.