New approach to the management of genetically modified herbicide tolerant sugar beet

The total area planted with genetically modified (GM) crops has grown by more than 10% every year since their commercialization in 1996. Sixteen countries worldwide currently grow GM crops commercially in 60 millions hectares. 66% of the global area of GM crops can be found in the US. Nine developing countries also have commercial GM crops and Argentina dominates with over 80% of the growing area. Over 99% of the GM crops grown are varieties of maize, soybeans, cotton and oil seed rape. Over 99% of these GM varieties are herbicide tolerant and/or insect resistant. Whilst GM crops and food have been particularly controversial in Europe and there are negative public attitudes towards GM food, their take-up in other parts of the world has been rising rapidly. However, there are growing research interests in the risk assessment of GM crop production and the new approaches to the management of genetically modified herbicide tolerant (GMHT) crop. Weed control in GM sugar beet tolerant to the broad-spectrum herbicide, glyphosate, can be delayed much later (8-10 leaf stage) than with conventional herbicide programs without loss of yield. The weeds and associated insects provide vital food and habitats for the farmland birds and other wildlife. Using GMHT sugar beet gives great flexibility of control of wide range of annual and perennial weeds. In the UK this could save growers 150 pounds/ha in growing costs. It makes management a lot easier and can help to reduce herbicide inputs in the rotation. Using GMHT can increase beet yields compared to conventional systems (by 5% in the UK and 15% in the USA). The main problems are for weed beet, they would be easy to control, but if they get the HT gene, they will then be more difficult. Another problem is that GMHT will result in fewer weeds in beet crops and less seed and food for wildlife. In conclusion, my prediction is that the use of GMHT sugar beet in Iran will be happening in the future. Thus, it is necessary to study the risk assessment of GMHT sugar beet production under control conditions and the results of this research has to be submitted to the politicians of agricultural sector.