Publication Date
1993
Description
The flrst genetically engineered food products frolll hotticultural production systems are now enlering the Market and field trials of genetically engineered crop species are well advanced. We can expect that a range of crop cultivars, in which genetic engineering is n component of the breeding process, will soon go into broad ncre agriculture. Pasture species are nut far behind. Gene transfer systems are in place for a number of temperate and tropical pasture legumes and even for a few species of more dlrficult grasses. Genetic transfer systems are In place for a numoec of temperate and tropical pastvce legumes and even for a few species of the more diffic11lt gfl\ses. Gt"-lle1ic enginee,illg ohjt"-cti\les include pest and pathogen protection and specific nutcitionnl improvements for some of our key pasture species. Virus diseases are prominent in legumes and biotechnology will add considerably to the armoury of resistance strategies. Some progress is being made for more difficult fungnl diseases. Insect pests will also be combated using gene technology. Genetic engineering will aid breeders considerably in nutritional improvement of pasture species; animnl physiologists have long been able co pinpoint o!>jecllves bur the nmure of 1he plallt/animnt interaction has made it difficult for plant breeders to achieve rent progress. lloth gene adcliCion and down•modulation of existing genes will be required to improve nutritional quali1ies. Gene transfers of agronomic management will need to be treated cautiously, For exl\lllple, the deployment or herbicide resistance genes in pasture species must take consideration of the total production system and its component rotations, and the perenninl nnture of many species is another important consideration in the use of genetic engineering. Difficulties aside, there seems little doubt that gene technology will cnhoncc bolh the genetic improvement and agronomic manngement of pasture species.
Citation
Peacock, W J., "Genetic Engineering for Pastures" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 32.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session2/32
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Genetic Engineering for Pastures
The flrst genetically engineered food products frolll hotticultural production systems are now enlering the Market and field trials of genetically engineered crop species are well advanced. We can expect that a range of crop cultivars, in which genetic engineering is n component of the breeding process, will soon go into broad ncre agriculture. Pasture species are nut far behind. Gene transfer systems are in place for a number of temperate and tropical pasture legumes and even for a few species of more dlrficult grasses. Genetic transfer systems are In place for a numoec of temperate and tropical pastvce legumes and even for a few species of the more diffic11lt gfl\ses. Gt"-lle1ic enginee,illg ohjt"-cti\les include pest and pathogen protection and specific nutcitionnl improvements for some of our key pasture species. Virus diseases are prominent in legumes and biotechnology will add considerably to the armoury of resistance strategies. Some progress is being made for more difficult fungnl diseases. Insect pests will also be combated using gene technology. Genetic engineering will aid breeders considerably in nutritional improvement of pasture species; animnl physiologists have long been able co pinpoint o!>jecllves bur the nmure of 1he plallt/animnt interaction has made it difficult for plant breeders to achieve rent progress. lloth gene adcliCion and down•modulation of existing genes will be required to improve nutritional quali1ies. Gene transfers of agronomic management will need to be treated cautiously, For exl\lllple, the deployment or herbicide resistance genes in pasture species must take consideration of the total production system and its component rotations, and the perenninl nnture of many species is another important consideration in the use of genetic engineering. Difficulties aside, there seems little doubt that gene technology will cnhoncc bolh the genetic improvement and agronomic manngement of pasture species.
