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Benchmark study on glyphosate‐resistant crop systems in the United States. Part 2: Perspectives
Author(s) -
Owen Micheal DK,
Young Bryan G,
Shaw David R,
Wilson Robert G,
Jordan David L,
Dixon Philip M,
Weller Stephen C
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.2159
Subject(s) - benchmark (surveying) , agriculture , sustainability , glyphosate , weed , scale (ratio) , microbiology and biotechnology , business , agricultural science , environmental resource management , agronomy , biology , ecology , geography , economics , cartography , geodesy
A six‐state, 5 year field project was initiated in 2006 to study weed management methods that foster the sustainability of genetically engineered (GE) glyphosate‐resistant (GR) crop systems. The benchmark study field‐scale experiments were initiated following a survey, conducted in the winter of 2005–2006, of farmer opinions on weed management practices and their views on GR weeds and management tactics. The main survey findings supported the premise that growers were generally less aware of the significance of evolved herbicide resistance and did not have a high recognition of the strong selection pressure from herbicides on the evolution of herbicide‐resistant (HR) weeds. The results of the benchmark study survey indicated that there are educational challenges to implement sustainable GR‐based crop systems and helped guide the development of the field‐scale benchmark study. Paramount is the need to develop consistent and clearly articulated science‐based management recommendations that enable farmers to reduce the potential for HR weeds. This paper provides background perspectives about the use of GR crops, the impact of these crops and an overview of different opinions about the use of GR crops on agriculture and society, as well as defining how the benchmark study will address these issues. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry