A novel approach to the use of genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops for environmental benefit.
The proposed introduction of genetically modified herbicide tolerant (GMHT) crops, with claims of improved weed control, has prompted fears about possible environmental impacts of their widespread adoption, particularly on arable weeds, insects and associated farmland birds. In response to this, we have developed a novel weed-management system for GMHT sugar beet, based on band spraying, which exploits the flexibility offered by the broad-spectrum partner herbicides. Here, we show the results from two series of field experiments which, taken together, demonstrate that, by using this system, crops can be managed for enhanced weed and insect biomass without compromising yield, thus potentially offering food and shelter to farmland birds and other wildlife. These results could be applicable widely to other row crops, and indicate that creative use of GMHT technology could be a powerful tool for developing more sustainable farming systems in the future.
Dewar
Alan M
AM
Broom's Barn Research Station, Higham, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6NP, UK. alan.dewar@bbsrc.ac.uk
May
Mike J
MJ
Woiwod
Ian P
IP
Haylock
Lisa A
LA
Champion
Gillian T
GT
Garner
Beulah H
BH
Sands
Richard J N
RJ
Qi
Aiming
A
Pidgeon
John D
JD
D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000187:drug effects; D018533:Biomass; D001717:Birds / Q000502:physiology; D019663:Chenopodiaceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005998:Glycine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006540:Herbicides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D000097797:Glyphosate
D005998:Glycine; D006540:Herbicides; D000097797:Glyphosate