There is widespread use of poplar in pulp and paper, match splints, pencil and plywood industries, in northern India. The practice of closer spacing geometry with compact block in poplar cultivation does not permit intercropping from the third year onwards, which discourages small landholders.
This global overview by Testbiotech documents several case studies showing how genetically engineered plants such as maize, rice, cotton, oilseed rape, bentgrass and poplar trees are spreading uncontrollably.
The performance of three wheat varieties and three paddy varieties were assessed under five-year old Populus deltoides plantation at different distances from tree base and control.
Poplar plantations and nurseries mainly grown on farm land in North India create thick patches of green cover which attract wild animals, birds and rodents for hideout, shelter and food. Many of the visiting wildlife also cause serious damage to poplar both in field plantations and nurseries. The main wild animals and birds causing damage have been identified as blue bull, monkeys, rats, rabbits, crows, parrots etc.
Commercial and non-commercial plants face a variety of environmental stressors that often cannot be controlled. In this study, transgenic hybrid poplar (Populus × euramericana ‘Guariento’) harboring five effector genes (vgb, SacB, JERF36, BtCry3A and OC-I) were subjected to drought, salinity, waterlogging and insect stressors in greenhouse or laboratory conditions. Field trials were also conducted to investigate long-term effects of transgenic trees on insects and salt tolerance in the transformants.
Poplar (Populus deltoides) has gained considerable importance in agroforestry plantations of western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir due to its deciduous nature, fast growth, short rotation and high industrial requirement.
Soil organic carbon was estimated in four land uses viz. forests, plantations, agroforestry and horticulture in Haridwar district. Over all 425 soil samples were collected from different land uses at various locations.
The release of genetically engineered trees into the open environment is an internationally disputed issue. Using genetically engineered poplars as an example, the following report gives clear evidence that it is not possible to adequately control the risks associated with the release of such trees, either in terms of space or time.
