Some of our NC State University research on new Turfgrass and Biodiversity | Raleigh Lawn Care

Summary

The Scotts Company is researching a new type of grass, genetically modified creeping bentgrass, for use on golf courses. This modification allows the grass to be resistant to roundup like many of the current genetically modified crops. This will allow for an economical way of controlling weeds in golf course putting greens, reducing the amount of costly pesticide applications and keeping the grass near perfect year-round. However, this does not come without great concern, as many environmentalists and organizations are strongly opposing the use, as well as, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service are also stepping up to urge strong caution. The private organizations are almost always against genetic modifications but the government agencies are most concerned about the grass’ ability to spread uncontrollably, creating a lack of biodiversity. There are just too many unknowns dealing with the modified grass that some groups have even gone so far as to vandalize the test plots. The two public and private organizations stepping up in opposition is something that we don’t always see in regards to new genetically modified organisms; this is why this has become the world’s most controversial grass.

Review

Upon scholarly investigation into the use of crop biotechnology’s affects on biodiversity, I have to say that I agree that the use of genetically modified bentgrass should be allowed into use. Lindum Turf’s managing director said it best, the use of genetically-modified grass seed is an “impasse that should be broken”, as we have developed many grasses that we can use to benefit the environment from reductions in oil consumption (from mowing), to reductions in pesticides (McEwan, 2011). Golf courses have a high level of value on any agricultural and urban lands. From an ecosystem management perspective, golf courses represent a promising measure for restoring and enhancing biodiversity in ecologically simplified landscapes. Additionally, golf courses hold a real potential to be designed and managed to promote critical ecosystem services, like pollination and natural pest control, providing an opportunity for joint collaboration among conservation, restoration and recreational interests (Colding, 2008). Looking specifically at research done on herbicide resistance, similarly to the article, when looking at biodiversity between genetically modified vs. wild type grasses, results in Zoysia grasses showed no difference between the two types. In fact, the results further stated that these modified grasses show no level of negative impact if released outside of the test plots (Bae, 2008). Therefore, we should do our due diligence and release GM turf grasses as they are approved to be safe.

Citations

Bae, T. W. (2008). Environmental risk assessment of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant zoysia japonica. American Scociety of Agronomy, (37), 207-218. Retrieved from https://www.agronomy.org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/publications/citation-manager/jeq/37/1/207

Colding, J. (2008). The role of golf courses in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Ecosystems, 12(2), 191-206. doi: 10.1007/s10021-008-9217-1

McEwan, G. (2011). Turf sector wants softer rules on genetically-modified grass seed. Horticulture Week, 9.

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