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Engineering Microbial Herbicide Detoxification Genes in Higher Plants

  • Chapter
Molecular Approaches to Crop Improvement

Part of the book series: Plant Gene Research ((GENE))

Abstract

Although less than ten years have elapsed since the first demonstration of the techniques which enable us to transfer or genetically engineer herbicide resistance into crop plants, there already exists unprecedented interest from molecular biologists, weed scientists, agrochemical manufacturers, plant breeders and farmers alike, in the potential of this new technology. On offer to the molecular biologist is the chance to utilize an assortment of new skills, coupled with the extensive knowledge of herbicide action gathered over the last four decades by weed scientists and biochemists, to address practical problems in agriculture. Agrochemical companies look to this technology to provide the opportunity to increase market share or total sales of herbicides through the wedding of their products to a wider range of crop varieties, while the plant breeders view herbicide resistant traits as a bonus in efforts to differentiate their particular hybrids and varieties from those of their competitors. Finally, there will be obvious advantages for the farmer in using currently available herbicides at greater margins of safety and on additional crops, and in simplifying the integration and rotation of those crops by keeping the hazards of herbicide residue and spray drift toxicity to a minimum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plant Industry, CSIRO, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Bruce R. Lyon

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  1. CSIRO Division of Plant Industry, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Elizabeth S. Dennis  & Danny J. Llewellyn  & 

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Lyon, B.R. (1991). Engineering Microbial Herbicide Detoxification Genes in Higher Plants. In: Dennis, E.S., Llewellyn, D.J. (eds) Molecular Approaches to Crop Improvement. Plant Gene Research. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-9108-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-9108-8_5

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