Genetically engineered turf: don't hold your breath

Researchers at O.M. Scott's Company, have been working for over 10 years on genetically engineered bentgrass that can survive repeated applications of RoundUp (glyphosate), a trait that could make the continual battle against poa invasion of greens a thing of the past. And while researchers have been successful technically in producing glyphosate–tolerant or even glyphosate–resistant bentgrass, regulators have repeatedly turned down applications to commercially register the seed because they are worried about escape of the herbicide resistance gene into wild…