Plant will root out landmines (changes color when it comes in contact with explosives)

The Telegraph, London via SMH ^ | February 6, 2004

[dead]

Scientists have created a plant that can locate landmines by changing colour when it comes into contact with explosives, a breakthrough they hope will save thousands of lives.

The plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, or green wall cress, is cheap to produce and can grow from seed in six to eight weeks.

Molecular biologists from the Danish company Aresa modified the plant's genetic structure so its leaves change from green to red when its roots come into contact with nitrogen dioxide, a chemical discharged from explosives when they are buried in soil. The colour change will allow mines or explosive residue to be easily identified. The estimated up to 100 million unexploded landmines in 75 countries kill and injure 26,000 people every year.

Aresa scientists say the seeds could be sown by using a hand-held spreader or by using a crop-spraying plane.

Carsten Meier, one of the scientists who developed the plant, said he was working with the Danish Army and was hoping to conduct field trials in two years.

The Mines Advisory Group said the plants could be unreliable, because some mines were sealed to stop seepage of nitrogen dioxide.

[Eala]

the seeds could be sown by using a hand-held spreader

Right.

[July 4th]

Aresa scientists say the seeds could be sown by using a hand-held spreader

If you're spreading the seeds by hand, doesn't the human doing the spreading become a land-mine detector too?

[ken5050]

I'm announcing the formation of PETOP.....

[Doctor Stochastic]

... grow from seed in six to eight weeks.

Not really suitable for a blitzkrieg type attack. Maybe for later cleanup (like in North Africa.)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Is it better of worse to be replaced by a plant as opposed to a robot or cheap foreign labor? :)

[Hunble]

Do I need to point out the obviouse?

People will change colors when then come in contact with an explosive...

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[dts32041]

Can't be used in most of the 3rd world and Europe because it is a GM (genetically modified) plant.

Can't be imported or used.

Sorry about that.

[Atlantic Friend]

Well, if the plant is prolific enough, maybe you just have to plant the first seeds near the suspected zones and let the thing spread. Look at the way you get weeds in your lawn !

[fooman]

The crop dusting plane idea would work for large areas. Smaller areas could be done with robots.

People like Diana could raise money and do benefit concerts for landmines.

[farmfriend]

Where is the left screaming about the devastation to the environment from this GMO plant they plan on spreading everywhere?

[general_re]

People will change colors when then come in contact with an explosive...

"Bob just turned all pink and misty - he must have found a landmine over there..."

[Squantos]

They were even trying to use different bacteria to "eat" the UXO at one point. Microwaves to cook off the dets, Co2 lasers to burn the UXO till it hit the dets and would detonate etc etc.....Puppy's an electronics to snif out the odor. Then the sensors and detectors for subsurface detection and finally the mechanical means . After all that came me and my Randall 14 or the Mk One Mod Ohhhhh probe clearing it by hand.

As to being replaced with a plant for finding em.....fine. Bring it on ! As to render safe, I'm still gainfully employed forever if I so desire.......:o)

I have some at my Widget Works that could easily be replaced by potted plants though.......no one would notice the change . I'm sure of it !

Stay Safe Slim

[kenth]

Maybe they should stick some kudzu genes in there. Then you could plant it the way you do kudzu, throw the seed as far as you can and run.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Saw some footage at a UXO/Demining conference of a big ol' armored vehicle that would clear AP mines by driving around. Looked like a good time... unless you find an anti-tank surprise.

[RS]

Genetically engineered ?

The EU is not gonna like this one !

[CougarGA7]

They are leaving out some details here.

1. The plant is spread through an area.
2. The plant grows and spreads, choking out the natural fauna of the area.
3. Enviromentalists complain that the plant is destroying the natural environment of the area.
4. ELF goes into the area to weed and destroy the offending plant.
5. ELF personel "take out" the land mines.

[KarlInOhio]

Do you still have to plow the field before seeding?

Plants aren't nearly as much fun as the Moroccan monkey landmine demolition squad.