The NIH Guidelines has specific requirements involving recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid molecules involving plants. This information can be found in Appendix P.
Appendix P specifies physical and biological containment conditions and practices suitable to the greenhouse conduct of experiments involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-containing plants, plant-associated microorganisms, and small animals. Laboratory work is described in Appendix G Physical Containment although the containment requirements may be superseded by Appendix P depending upon the research.
The plants covered in Appendix P include but are not limited to mosses, liverworts, macroscopic algae, and vascular plants including terrestrial crops, forest, and ornamental species.
Plant-associated microorganisms include viroids, virusoids, viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, certain small algae, and microorganisms that have a benign or beneficial association with plants, such as certain Rhizobium species and microorganisms known to cause plant diseases. Appendix P applies to microorganisms which are being modified with the objective of fostering an association with plants.
Plant-associated small animals include those arthropods that: (i) are in obligate association with plants, (ii) are plant pests, (iii) are plant pollinators, or (iv) transmit plant disease agents, as well as other small animals such as nematodes for which tests of biological properties necessitate the use of plants. Microorganisms associated with such small animals (e.g., pathogens or symbionts) are included.
Field release of any of the above may require additional federal approvals by the USDA, EPA or FDA.