Cress.

This is coolbert:

Here is another innovative way that can be used to expedite the demining process.

Is only the pilot stage, but holds promise.

A form of cress, the plant, has been genetically modified [GM] so that it responds to chemicals that are leached from a landmine into the soil [nitrogen dioxide].

The leaves of this cress, growing around where a land mine has been planted, will turn purple [normally are green].

I assume that the idea is to fence off a large area of land to be demined, and then sow the entire area with the GM cress. When the cress is sown, where ever the cress grows above or adjacent to a land mine, the cress leaves turn purple, not green, and you know where the land mine is.

Contrary to what people think, human industry CANNOT create a package, in any form, that will not LEAK.

It may be that the leakage of chemicals [nitrogen dioxide] from a land mine will be minute, but it will still be adequate for the cress to respond. After sowing an area with the cress, waiting a while, the deminers job of locating the mines will be greatly simplified.

Or so the idea goes.

 Like I said, still in the pilot stage. The best comment on demining is by a land mine expert, Bill Reid, who states that, "there is no silver [magic] bullet to demining operations." GM cress will be just one facet of a whole lot of facets.

coolbert.