GLOBAL VIEW ▶▶▶


A genetically engineered fungi may help reduce reliance on insecticides for future pest control, but would the public accept such technology? GM fungus could help cut pesticide use


BY MATT MCKINTOSH, CANADA CORRESPONDENT


targeted reproduction process is one of the reasons entomopathogenic fungi are already applied as a crop protection product in some parts of the world.


A 46


group of Canadian researchers at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, believe a genetically engineered fungus could help


farmers cut their pesticide use. Entomopathogenic fungi exist in soils all


over the world and some time ago, it was discovered they have a symbiotic relationship with plants. By growing on roots, the fungi help plants


access more soil-based nitrogen in exchange for carbon. The fungi’s spores also kill harmful pests by consuming their bodies, then using them as a propagation vector. As horror film-esque as it sounds, that


Genetic tweaking However, instead of applying the fungus on an as-needed basis, researchers at Queen’s think a little genetic tweaking could help farmers keep useful fungi active in their soil year after year. If this naturally occurring fungus already


exists as a growth promoter and a pest deterrent, can it be altered for more targeted, prolonged use? What if it could withstand drought or


overly wet conditions? Could these fungi be engineered to be even more selective in their insect-targeting reproduction, or made to suit for different soil types? The potential benefits to farmers, one could argue, are diverse indeed.


▶ FUTURE FARMING | 9 November 2017


Perhaps an obvious by-product of successful genetically engineered fungi would be a reduced reliance on insecticide. Given the right commercial circumstances,


that could be good news for farmers’ chequebooks – not to mention an environmental boon for integrated pest management strategies. The question is: where would the public


stand? The fungi might help promote plant growth and reduce the need for insecticide, but is that enough to negate GM fears? Such concerns are a way off, though, with


the researchers still in the process of mapping the fungi’s gene expression profile. Still, the idea of protecting and promoting


crops using sustainable fungi is intriguing. And with ever-increasing pressure to move away from a “better living through chemistry” mentality, a genetically engineered fungus might be a valuable thing to consider.


DESIGN PICS INC/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60