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If Hybrids Go Wrong: Assessing Potential Environmental Risk From Release Of Herbicide-Resistant Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis)., Carol Auer, Collin Ahens

Plant Science Presentations and Proceedings

Genetically-modified (GM) plants need to be assessed for their benefits and risks before they are released into the environment. At present, GM grasses are being developed to improve sports turf and biofuels crops (e.g. switchgrass). How will genetic engineering of perennial grasses alter the distribution of these grasses in natural areas and managed landscapes? Can we use research data to predict future gene flow, weediness, or invasion? These are some of the important questions in ecological risk assessment of GM perennial grasses. We have initiated five research projects to characterize gene flow and potential ecological risk from herbicide-resistant (HR) creeping …