Tandem constructs: preventing the rise of superweeds.
Transgenic crops may interbreed with nearby weeds, increasing their competitiveness, and may themselves become a 'volunteer' weed in the following crop. The desired transgene can be coupled in tandem with genes that would render hybrid offspring or volunteer weeds less able to compete with crops, weeds and wild species. Genes that prevent seed shatter or secondary dormancy, or that dwarf the recipient could all be useful for mitigation and may have value to the crop. Many such genes have been isolated in the past few years.
Gressel
J
J
Department of Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, IL 76100, Israel. Lpgress2@wiccmail.weizmann.ac.il
D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000235:genetics*; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D012306:Risk; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*