Point: Open pollination presents clear dangers / Counterpoint: Roundup Ready control area addresses concerns

Golf Course News, Sep 2002 by Harriman, Bob, Suttner, Don

POINT

Open pollination presents clear dangers

By BILL ROSE

The recent approval by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) of a control area to produce open pollinated creeping bentgrass in Jefferson County is a surprise considering the volumes of evidence presented on the dangers of this experiment.

Dr. Tom Hodges of Purdue University and senior author on seven patents specifically related to hybridization of grasses, submitted the following information to ODA director Phillip Ward for the recent hearing held in Jefferson County:

"I am writing regarding the transgenic bentgrass field trial by Scotts/Monsanto in Jefferson County, Ore. As you know, this trial involves open-pollinated bentgrass that contains the Roundup herbicide-resistance gene. Although I am a strong advocate of genetic engineering, this particular project is extremely dangerous because pollen escape to other grasses has a high probability of causing the development of herbicide-resistant grassy weeds as well as the fertilization of related agrostis species. This could have disastrous effects on the turfgrass seed industry because of the contamination of genetically engineered seed with non-engineered grasses as well as the lack of control of herbicide-resistant grassy weeds in all crops including the row crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans. If this trial is allowed to proceed, the damage it could cause is considerable, and this damage will give the anti-biotech forces major ammunition in their fight against all genetically engineered crops."

This letter states the fears I have on this project.

Genetic modification of crop plants for the production of not only food and fiber, but also energy, pharmaceuticals, and structural products is the future of agriculture. However, the Willamette Valley is prevented by statute from participating in genetically modified bentgrass, even if the transgenic bentgrass is male sterile. Male sterility is obviously not understood despite testimony presented at two hearings and countless other presentations.

To attempt once more to get an understanding of the two programs, I hereby make a comparison between a mule (male sterile) and a stallion horse (open pollinating). Mules can do everything the stallion can do, except reproduce. Conversely, the stallion horse will breed all like horses, spreading his genes wherever he can find a willing mate. This "stallion" cannot be fenced in.

This is the situation in Jefferson County with its history of bentgrass production, which assures volunteer bentgrass plants exist throughout the area. These volunteers, plus the native bentgrasses will be receptive, and become resistant to Roundup and therefore be very difficult to kill. It is easy to predict large problems for the production area: The export market will be lost, the turfgrass seed production for Turf-Seed will be plowed, and all grass seed produced will be suspect and at least require a costly genetic test.

This experiment will benefit a few (400 to 500 acres of production), while risking that production area's markets for turfgrass seed, and jeopardize the future of genetically modified grasses.

All things considered, Pure Seed Testing is emphasizing its program to produce naturally glyphosate tolerant varieties of turfgrass. Those on the market today are Aurora Gold hard fescue, Pure Gold and Tomahawk RT tall fescue. These varieties offer all the advantages of genetic modification by using genes already present in turfgrasses, without the problems of open pollinated genetic modification.

Pure Seed Testing along with HybriGene, Inc. is working on genetically modified turfgrasses for the future. The emphasis will be on trait improvements not only for herbicide resistance, but disease resistance leading to a reduced use of fungicides, insect and pest resistance, drought and stress tolerance and growth habit. All these traits will be incorporated with male sterility to ensure good gene stewardship and eliminate the possibility of pollen escapement into surrounding crops.

Bill L. Rose is president of four companies, Turf-Seed Inc., Roselawn Seed, and Tee-2-Green Corp. located near Hubbard, Ore., and biotech company HybriGene Inc., based in Rhode Island