Title: Seed bank persistence of genetically modified canola in California

Abstract: Introduction Canola, which is genetically modified (GM) for tolerance to glyphosate, has the potential to become established as a new glyphosate resistant weed, thus reducing the effectiveness of glyphosate. Methods Volunteer from dormant canola seeds produced thousands of plants per hectare in the fourth year (2011) following a 2007 crop harvest. This occurred with no additional canola seed production since the 2007 harvest. Results Volunteer plants following harvests of annual crops are typically only a problem for the first year after harvest. In California, glyphosate is the core herbicide on over a million hectares of high value row, tree, and vine crops and new glyphosate resistant weeds reduce the effectiveness of glyphosate. Conclusions The combination of dormant seed and herbicide resistance makes GM glyphosate-resistant canola a new and difficult California weed which was first observed in the winter of 2009. [Douglas J. Munier & Kent L. Brittan & W. Thomas Lanini (2012). Seed bank persistence of genetically modified canola in California. Environ Sci Pollut Res, on-lin Jan 19, DOI 10.1007/s11356-011-0733-8]

Keywords: Genetically modified . Canola . Glyphosate . Brassica napus . Resistance . Seed dormancy . Volunteer

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Article: WeedsNews3128 (permalink)
Categories: :WeedsNews:research alert, :WeedsNews:herbicide resistance, :WeedsNews:seed dispersal, :WeedsNews:seed viability
Date: 3 April 2012; 7:32:06 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time

Author Name: David Low
Author ID: adminDavid