Seed Banks May Slow Gene Drives for Weed Control

Led by Dr. Isabel Kim and Leqi Tian, researchers from Cornell University found that seed banks could significantly affect the success of gene drives designed to control weeds. In a new study published in Nature Plants, the research team modeled how gene drives would behave in plant populations and identified key challenges.

The team found that underground seed banks can reintroduce non-modified plants into the population. This process may slow or even prevent the spread of engineered traits. Using simulations based on plant reproduction and seed survival, the researchers showed that gene drives like CAIN and ClvR could still spread, but would require more time and possibly larger initial releases.

Despite these challenges, seed banks may also act as a natural safety mechanism. The study suggests that dormant seeds could limit unintended spread, helping gene drives fade out over time. The findings provide a foundation for designing safer and more effective gene drives in plants.

For more information, read the article from Cornell University.