Glyphosate is the most utilized herbicide worldwide and have been used since
the 1970s. Introduction of transgenic glyphosate resistant crop plants
allowed over-the-top application of the herbicide without crop damage.
Glyphosate herbicide resistance in transgenic plants is developed by
overexpressing the EPSPS gene. However, a new strategy for developing
glyphosate resistance is being studied. This new strategy is based on the
ability of the plant to degrade glyphosate.

Transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were developed, all expressing a
glycine oxidase (GO), a gene from Bacillus subtilis capable of degrading
glyphosate. Transgenic plants were then evaluated for glyphosate resistance.
Two GO-expressing lines showed moderate resistance to the herbicide.
Optimization of expression of this GO variant may allow attainment of
sufficient field resistance to glyphosate herbicides, thus providing a
resistance based on herbicide degradation.

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