Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, two aggressive weeds that threaten the food supply in North America, are increasingly hard to kill with commercially available herbicides.
Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, two aggressive weeds that threaten the food supply in North America, are increasingly hard to kill with commercially available herbicides. A novel approach known as genetic control could one day reduce the need for these chemicals. Now, scientists are one step closer.
In a study published today in Weed Science, researchers from the University of Illinois identified genetic signatures that distinguish male waterhemp and Palmer amaranth plants from females. The discovery is a crucial part of developing a genetic control system for the damaging weeds.
The researchers’ goal is to one day introduce genetically modified male plants into a population to mate with wild females. Modified male plants would contain a gene drive, a segment of DNA coding for maleness, which would be passed on to all its offspring, and their offspring, and so on. Ultimately, all plants in a given population would become male, reproduction would cease, and populations would crash.
It’s a controversial strategy, but Pat Tranel, the U of I scientist leading the project, says they’re still in the very early stages.
Read more at University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
Image: Identification of gene regions controlling maleness in waterhemp and Palmer amaranth may one day lead to novel genetic control methods for the troublesome weeds, according to a new study from the University of Illinois. (Credit: Lauren D. Quinn, University of Illinois)
