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Herbicide Resistance

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Genetic Modification of Plants

Part of the book series: Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry ((AGRICULTURE,volume 64))

Abstract

This is a general review of the global adoption of genetically modified herbicide-resistant crops and the implications that these transgenic crops have on weed populations. Topics discussed include: aspects of the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes, the mechanisms of resistance and interaction with transgenes. Finally, a brief discussion is developed about the management tactics used in genetically modified herbicide resistant crops and the impact these tactics have on herbicide use, integrated weed management and the environment. While the adoption of genetically modified herbicide crops represents an unprecedented and globally important revolution in agriculture, both the benefits and the risks of these transgenic crops must be considered objectively. Generally, a position is offered that the benefits of the genetically modified herbicide resistant crops outweigh the risks of their cultivation. However, depending on the crop species, location of production and management system employed, the risks attributable to crop production systems based on genetically modified herbicide resistant crops must not be ignored and appropriate adjustments of the management tactics must be implemented in order to mitigate the risks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agronomy Department, Iowa State University, 3218 Agronomy Hall, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Micheal D. K. Owen

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  1. Micheal D. K. Owen
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Correspondence to Micheal D. K. Owen .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Botanisches Institut, Universität Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, Kiel, 24118, Germany

    Frank Kempken

  2. Inst. Pflanzenbau und Pflanzenzüchtung, Universität Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, Kiel, 24098, Germany

    Christian Jung

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Owen, M.D.K. (2010). Herbicide Resistance. In: Kempken, F., Jung, C. (eds) Genetic Modification of Plants. Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, vol 64. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02391-0_9

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