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.
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