permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

-------- 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.