Molecular characterization and inheritance of resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides in Lolium rigidum

The molecular basis and mode of inheritance of resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides were investigated in a biotype of Lolium rigidum Gaud that has been discovered in Israel. Dose-response experiments at the whole-plant level have revealed that the resistant biotype was more resistant (6.3- to 40-fold) than the susceptible wild-type to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides. A 276-bp genomic DNA encoding the carboxyltransferase domain within the chloroplastic ACCase from resistant and susceptible biotypes were amplified by PCR and analyzed. Sequence comparison revealed that a single isoleucine-to-leucine substitution differentiated ACCases from susceptible and resistant biotypes (corresponds to residue 1769 of wheat ACCase, Acc No AF029895). A PCR amplification of specific alleles (PASA) method was developed to detect the allele composition leading to isoleucine-leucine mutation. ACCase extracted from homozygote resistant, heterozygote and homozygote susceptible plants showed IC50 values of 25.8, 5.6 and 0.6 microM, respectively, suggesting that alteration in the ACCase is governed by a co-dominant gene. The inheritance studies confirmed that the resistance of L rigidum to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides is governed by a single, nuclear and co-dominant gene.     

'Universal' primers for PCR-sequencing of grass chloroplastic acetyl-CoA carboxylase domains involved in resistance to herbicides

Primers were designed to amplify two regions involved in sensitivity to herbicides inhibiting the plastidic acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) from grasses (Poaceae). The first primer pair amplified a 551-bp amplicon containing a variable Ile/Leu codon at position 1781 in Alopecurus myosuroides sequence. The second primer pair amplified a 406-bp amplicon containing four variable codons (Trp/Cys, Ile/Asn, Asp/Gly, Gly/Ala) at positions 2027, 2041, 2078 and 2096, respectively, in A. myosuroides sequence. Both primer pairs amplified the targeted fragments from genes encoding plastidic ACCases, but not from the very similar genes encoding cytosolic ACCases. Clear DNA sequences were obtained from fresh or dried plant material from the field, and from 29 various grass species. Sequences revealed that the gene encoding plastidic ACCase in Poa annua and Festuca rubra contained a Leu₁₇₈₁ codon, in agreement with both species being inherently tolerant to herbicides inhibiting ACCase. Sequencing confirmed the hybrid origin of P. annua. Compared with ACCase enzyme assay, polymerase chain reaction is faster, can be performed from a single plant and suppresses the need for radioactive experiments. It can be completed with basic molecular biology laboratory equipment. It is the tool of choice for diagnosing resistance caused by alteration(s) of the plastidic ACCase.