No abstract

Herbicides that inhibit hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) such as mesotrione are widely used to control a broad spectrum of weeds in agriculture. Amaranthus palmeri is an economically troublesome weed throughout the United States. The first case of evolution of resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides in A. palmeri was documented in Kansas (KS) and later in Nebraska (NE). The objective of this study was to investigate the mechansim of HPPD-inhibitor (mesotrione) resistance in A. palmeri. Dose response analysis revealed that this population (KSR) was 10–18 times more resistant than their sensitive counterparts (MSS or KSS). Absorbtion and translocation analysis of [14C] mesotrione suggested that these mechanisms were not involved in the resistance in A. palmeri. Importantly, mesotrione (>90%) was detoxified markedly faster in the resistant populations (KSR and NER), within 24 hours after treatment (HAT) compared to sensitive plants (MSS, KSS, or NER). However, at 48 HAT all populations metabolized the mesotrione, suggesting additional factors may contribute to this resistance. Further evaluation of mesotrione-resistant A. palmeri did not reveal any specific resistance-conferring mutations nor amplification of HPPD gene, the molecular target of mesotrione. However, the resistant populations showed 4- to 12-fold increase in HPPD gene expression. This increase in HPPD transcript levels was accompanied by increased HPPD protein expression. The significant aspects of this research include: the mesotrione resistance in A. palmeri is conferred primarily by rapid detoxification (non-target-site based) of mesotrione; additionally, increased HPPD gene expression (target-site based) also contributes to the resistance mechanism in the evolution of herbicide resistance in this naturally occurring weed species.

Although triazine resistance in Palmer amaranth was reported more than 20 years ago in the USA, this is the first report elucidating the underlying mechanism of resistance to atrazine. The non-target-site based metabolic resistance to atrazine mediated by GST activity may predispose the Palmer amaranth populations to have resistance to other herbicide families, and the nuclear inheritance of the trait in this dioecious species further exacerbates the propensity for its rapid spread. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

We confirm the first case of evolution of resistance to four herbicide sites of action (PSII, ALS and EPSPS inhibitors and synthetic auxins) in a single kochia population, and target-site-based mechanisms confer resistance to atrazine, glyphosate and chlorsulfuron.

Herbicide efficacy is known to be influenced by temperature, however, underlying mechanism(s) are poorly understood. A marked alteration in mesotrione [a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitor] efficacy on Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) was observed when grown under low- (LT, 25/15°C, day/night temperatures) and high (HT, 40/30°C) temperature compared to optimum (OT, 32.5/22.5°C) temperature. Based on plant height, injury, and mortality, Palmer amaranth was more sensitive to mesotrione at LT and less sensitive at HT compared to OT (ED50 for mortality; 18.5, 52.3, and 63.7 g ai ha-1, respectively). Similar responses were observed for leaf chlorophyll index and photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm). Furthermore, mesotrione translocation and metabolism, and HPPD expression data strongly supported such variation. Relatively more mesotrione was translocated to meristematic regions at LT or OT than at HT. Based on T50 values (time required to metabolize 50% of the 14C mesotrione), plants at HT metabolized mesotrione faster than those at LT or OT (T50; 13, 21, and 16.5 h, respectively). The relative HPPD:CPS (carbamoyl phosphate synthetase) or HPPD:β-tubulin expression in mesotrione-treated plants increased over time in all temperature regimes; however, at 48 HAT, the HPPD:β-tubulin expression was exceedingly higher at HT compared to LT or OT (18.4-, 3.1-, and 3.5-fold relative to untreated plants, respectively). These findings together with an integrated understanding of other interacting key environmental factors will have important implications for a predictable approach for effective weed management.

Reports of kochia control failure with glyphosate in western Kansas increased dramatically in the years following confirmed presence of glyphosate-resistant (GR) populations in 2007. In this study, progeny from 8 of 16 geographically dispersed kochia populations in western Kansas (seed collected in 2010) were confirmed to be resistant to glyphosate by conducting whole-plant dose-response (in greenhouse and/or outdoor environments) and shikimate-accumulation assays. Additionally, the relationship between 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene copy number and glyphosate resistance levels was investigated. A known glyphosate-susceptible (GS) kochia population from Ellis County, Kansas was used for comparison in all studies. Based on the herbicide rate that caused 50% reduction in biomass compared to untreated control (GR50) values, the 8 GR kochia populations were 4 to 11 times more resistant to glyphosate compared to the GS population. The GR50values of kochia populations were 1.58 to 1.85 times higher under an outdoor environment compared to when grown in the greenhouse. Glyphosate-treated leaf discs of the GS kochia plants accumulated consistently higher amounts of shikimate than those of the GR plants. Additionally, the GR plants with higher levels of resistance to glyphosate had higher EPSPS : acetolactate synthase (ALS) relative gene copy number compared to those with low levels of resistance.

Bearded sprangletop is a problematic weed in California rice production. The objective of this research was to determine the response of two bearded sprangletop biotypes (clomazone-susceptible [S] and -resistant [R]) to flooding depth. A study was conducted in 2017 and 2018 at the California Rice Experiment Station in Biggs, CA, to evaluate the flooding tolerance of the two biotypes against 5-, 10-, and 20-cm continuous flooding depths. Plant emergence, plant height, panicles per plant, seed per panicle, 100-seed weight, and seed per plant data were collected. At the 5-cm flood depth, neither biotype was controlled, and the R biotype had 260% more emergence, produced 475% more panicles per plant, and 455% more seed per plant than the S biotype. With a 10-cm flood, only the R biotype survived flooding and produced more panicles per plant and seed per plant than any other flood depth–biotype combination evaluated. There was no emergence of either bearded sprangletop biotype at the 20-cm flood depth. Continuous flooding can still be used as a management tool to control bearded sprangletop; however, the depth of flooding appears to limit emergence of S biotypes at 5 cm and R biotypes at 10 cm, and completely inhibits growth of both biotypes at 20 cm. The results of this study indicate that clomazone-resistant bearded sprangletop is more likely to spread throughout the Sacramento Valley because this biotype can survive clomazone applications and can tolerate a standard 10-cm flood.

Bearded sprangletop is a problematic weed in California rice production and few herbicides provide effective control. As control of bearded sprangletop has declined, grower suspicion of resistance to clomazone has increased, because of the continuous rice cropping system and herbicide dependence in the region. The objectives of this research were to confirm clomazone resistance in bearded sprangletop populations and determine the level of resistance. Seed from 21 suspected clomazone-resistant populations was collected from the California rice growing region. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine population sensitivity to clomazone. Clomazone was applied into the water to emerging seedlings. Plant ht and control of bearded sprangletop were recorded weekly for 3 wk, plants were then harvested, and dry weight was measured. Of the populations tested, 17 were susceptible and four (5%) were resistant to clomazone. A dose-response assay was conducted using eight doses ranging from an eighth of the full rate to 12 times the full rate. The three most resistant populations had resistant-to susceptible ratios of 1.25×, 2×, and 5× the labeled rate of clomazone. The use of clomazone in California rice production is beneficial; however, it should be used at the appropriate timing and as part of an herbicide program to prevent further development of clomazone resistance.