Maize Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 60-69 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 60 Research Report Open Access The Impact of Genetic Engineering on Maize Herbicide Tolerance Jiayi Wu, Qian Li Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: qian.li@@cuixi.org Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.2 doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0007 Received: 24 Jan., 2024 Accepted: 01 Mar., 2024 Published: 10 Mar., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wu and Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wu J.Y., and Li Q., 2024, The impact of genetic engineering on maize herbicide tolerance, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 15(2): 60-69 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0007) Abstract The adoption of genetically engineered maize for herbicide tolerance has significantly impacted agricultural practices, particularly in weed management. This study examines the development, implementation, and consequences of herbicide-tolerant maize varieties. The introduction of transgenic maize expressing genes such as dicamba monooxygenase (DMO) and CP4-EPSPShas enabled higher tolerance levels to herbicides like dicamba and glyphosate, respectively, leading to improved weed control and reduced crop injury. However, the widespread use of these genetically modified (GM) crops has also led to the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds, necessitating the development of dual herbicide-tolerant varieties and new herbicide tolerance traits. Meta-analyses and field studies indicate that while GM crops have reduced overall pesticide use and increased crop yields and farmer profits, the long-term sustainability of these benefits is challenged by evolving weed resistance. This study synthesizes findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the agronomic, economic, and environmental impacts of herbicide-tolerant maize, highlighting both the advantages and the ongoing challenges in this field. Keywords Genetic engineering; Herbicide tolerance; Maize (Zeamays); Weed resistance; Transgenic crops 1 Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple crop with significant economic and nutritional importance worldwide. However, weed interference is a major biotic stress that can dramatically reduce maize yields. Effective weed management is crucial for maintaining favorable growing conditions and ensuring high crop productivity. Traditional weed control methods often rely on the application of herbicides, which can be labor-intensive and environmentally challenging. The development of herbicide-tolerant maize varieties through genetic engineering has emerged as a promising solution to enhance weed control efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of herbicide use (Perry et al., 2016; Larue et al., 2019). Herbicide-tolerant crops allow farmers to use specific herbicides that the crops can withstand, thereby effectively controlling weeds without damaging the crop itself. This technology has led to significant changes in agricultural practices, including reduced tillage, which helps in soil conservation and moisture retention. However, the widespread adoption of herbicide-tolerant crops has also raised concerns about the potential for increased herbicide use and the development of herbicide-resistant weed populations (Perry et al., 2016). Genetic engineering involves the manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology to introduce, enhance, or modify specific traits. In agriculture, genetic engineering has been used to develop crops with improved resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, as well as enhanced nutritional profiles. The introduction of herbicide tolerance traits in crops is one of the most successful applications of genetic engineering in agriculture (Fu et al., 2021). Several techniques are employed in the genetic engineering of crops, including the use of recombinant DNA technology to insert specific genes into the plant genome. For instance, the development of glyphosate-tolerant maize involves the insertion of the CP4-EPSPS gene, which confers resistance to the herbicide glyphosate. Similarly, the bar gene is used to develop glufosinate-tolerant maize. These genes are often introduced into the plant genome using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or biolistic (gene gun) methods (Fu et al., 2021; Bonny, 2016; Bao et al., 2022).
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