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  • From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>, Market Farming <marketfarming@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] Fwd: [SANET-MG] soil health and soil genetic engineering
  • Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:35:46 -0500


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [SANET-MG] soil health and soil genetic engineering
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:18:53 -0500
From: joe cummins <jcummins@UWO.CA>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

I am interjecting comments on the rhizosphere genetic engineering into
the ongoing discussion of soil health. In 2003 I commented on the growing application of a seed treatment containing a bacterium involved in nitrogen fixation on alfalfa and other legume crops. The host microorganism used to produce RMBPC-2 was S. meliloti strain PC. Genes to enhance nitrogen fixation and nutrient utilization were added to the host strain. In addition, antibiotic resistance marker genes, which are used to isolate strain RMBPC-2 from other bacteria in the laboratory and in the environment, were also added to the host strain to create strain RMBPC-2. I was concerned over the wide dispersal of the GM bacterium containing antibiotic resistance genes along with the inadequately tested nitrogen fixation genes.(1). EPA reports that the GM seed treatments are still widely in use(2).

Along with the nitrogen fixation a wide array of genetic modifications to modify the root ecologyare being produced at the present time. A 2009 review of rhizosphere genetic engineering of microbes and crop plants to create conditions leading to enhanced yield and plant health. Such modifications are claimed to be for sustainable agriculture(3). Examples of such modifications include microbes producing auxin to promote crop yield (4) andthe use of Pseudomonas containing a scorpion neurotoxinto control insect and fungus pests(5). Such neurotoxins in the soil ecosystem make me nervous.

In conclusion , genetic engineering has invaded the rhizosphere and we
should all be aware before it is too late. The term sustainable
agriculture is being used to promote such genetic modifications of the
rhizosphere.

References:

1.cummins,j.GM Microbes Invade North America science in society
2003,18,34 http://www.i-sis.org.uk/full/GMMINAFull.php
2.US EPA Commercialization of Sinorhizobium (Rhizobium) Meliloti RMBPC-2 2010 http://www.epa.gov/biotech_rule/pubs/factdft6.htm.Peter R. Ryan, Yves Dessaux, Linda S. Thomashow and David M. Weller

3.Rhizosphere engineering and management for sustainable agriculture
Plant and Soil 2009 Volume 321, Numbers 1-2, 363-383, DOI:
10.1007/s11104-009-0001-6

4.Baudoin E, Lerner A, Mirza MS, El Zemrany H, Prigent-Combaret C,
Jurkevich E, Spaepen S, Vanderleyden J, Nazaret S, Okon Y, Moënne-Loccoz Y.
Effects of Azospirillum brasilense with genetically modified auxin
biosynthesis gene ipdC upon the diversity of the indigenous microbiota
of the wheat rhizosphere. Res Microbiol. 2010 Apr;161(3):219-26. Epub
2010 Feb 4.

5.Lu W, Zhang W, Bai Y, Fu Y, Chen J, Geng X, Wang Y, Xiao M.A
genetically engineered Pseudomonas fluorescens strain possesses the dual activity against phytopathogenic fungi and insects. J Microbiol
Biotechnol. 2010 Feb;20(2):281-6.





  • [permaculture] Fwd: [SANET-MG] soil health and soil genetic engineering, Lawrence F. London, Jr., 12/22/2010

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