840.119:Herbicide Resistance

Abstract

The purpose of this website is to describe the process and purposes of developing glyphosate resistance in tobacco plants. The herbicide glyphosate has been around for over twenty years and since the technological advances in genetically modified organisms the development of a resistance in crops has become a desired and beneficial product.

Scientific approach

Methods Used

"If the Agrobacter TDNA contains bacterial DNA encoding EPSPS (a photosynthesis enzyme), in a cholorplast targeting sequence, it can be transferred into a plant. When the promoter (CaMV) is activated, it allows the plant (tobacco shown) to produce the bacterial EPSPS enzyme and resist the high level of glyphosate that otherwise would inhibit the natural enzyme in the plant. In this way, both plants and weeds can be sprayed with glyphosate and only the nontransformed plants are affected." (Thieman, 144)

Alternative Methods, Why aren't they used?

Researchers have been looking for herbicides that will spare the crop, but kill the pest. Often crops and pests have similar biochemical properties, therefore finding an herbicide that won't affect both has been difficult. Today, with new advances in biotechnology, researchers have found it to be more beneficial to use genetic engineering to create a crop that is less susceptible to glyphosate-based herbicides.

(Potential) Impact

The development of herbicide resistant crops has helped spare the environment from harsh chemicals and reduce the cost to farmers on chemicals for pest control. Chemicals in herbicides designed to be used on herbicide tolerant crops tend to be much more environmentally friendly and much milder than those used on non-tolerant crops. Also, the price of these milder chemicals is much less than traditional herbicides.