Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering
University of Connecticut
Protecting Biodiversity
Assessing the Environmental Risks of a
Genetically Modified Grass
To manage their lands,
farmers, homeowners,
governments, businesses,
and conservation
organizations need tools,
such as herbicides, to kill
unwanted plants. But some
herbicides are very harmful
and remain in the
environment for a long time.
Other herbicides, friendlier
to the environment, have
mild, short-term effects.
According to its commercial
developers, the genetically
modified creeping bentgrass
will be used for golf course
greens and fairways. It will
allow a course manager to
eliminate weeds while
maintaining the desired
plants and the aesthetic
integrity of the course.
This project will explore the
possible dangers of
introducing glyphosateCreeping bentgrass is often found in managed
Glyphosate, the most widely
resistant creeping bentgrass
areas, such as cemeteries.
Photo courtesy of Carol Auer
used herbicide, is among the
into the environment. If the
most environmentally friendly products. Its effects
genetically modified creeping bentgrass is used as
on ecosystems, especially in wetlands and
proposed, will the resistant plants breed with other
waterways, are fairly gentle. It is also relatively
bentgrasses? If so, will these plants pass on the
nontoxic to humans and other animals. Commonly
resistant trait to other populations, both wild and
used in commercial products, glyphosate controls
cultivated? Will this process create superweeds that
unwanted grasses, sedges, broad-leaved plants, and
will be more difficult to control? How would we
woody plants.
then manage these altered populations? Would we
need more toxic herbicides to control them?
The effectiveness of glyphosate, however, may now
be threatened. The U.S. Department of Agriculture
This research will help scientists understand the
is considering a proposal to allow the release of a
potential risks before the genetically engineered trait
of glyphosate resistance is introduced into the
form of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) in
environment.
which the genes have been modified so that the
plants can withstand the lethal effects of glyphosate.
Creeping bentgrass is a perennial grass that thrives in
urban, agricultural, and wild habitats. It is used in
many settings, including lawns, cemeteries, and golf
courses. It reproduces by seeds and by horizontal
stems that send out roots, which then produce new
plants. This creeping habit gives the plant its name.
Award recipient: Collin Ahrens, Department of Plant Sciences
Mentors: Carol Auer, Department of Plant Sciences, and Thomas
Meyer, Department of Natural Resources Management and Engineering
This project was supported by the Center for Environmental Research
and Engineering’s 2007 Multidisciplinary Environmental Research
Awards.
2007
3107 Horsebarn Hill Road, Building 4 Annex, U-4210
Storrs, CT 06269-4210
Phone: (860) 486-4015
Fax: (860) 486-5488
Web: www.cese.uconn.edu
Email: [email protected]