Microsatellite variability of sulfonylurea‐resistant and susceptible populations of Schoenoplectus juncoides (Cyperaceae) in Kinki,Japan

Schoenoplectus juncoides is one of the most harmful weeds found in East Asian paddy fields. Recent emergence of biotypes that are resistant to the herbicide sulfonylurea (SU) has made weed control difficult. To examine the effect of the evolution of this herbicide resistance on genetic diversity within local populations, we investigated microsatellite variability within and among paddy field populations of S. juncoides in Kinki, Japan. In vivo assay of acetolactate synthase activity and root elongation assay in the presence of SU revealed that of 21 populations, five were sulfonylurea‐susceptible (SU‐S) and eight were completely sulfonylurea‐resistant (SU‐R). The remaining eight populations were a mixture of SU‐S and SU‐R individuals. The average gene diversity for SU‐R populations (H_S = 0.168) was lower than those for SU‐S (H_S = 0.256) and mixed (H_S = 0.209) populations, but the difference was not significant. This indicates that positive selection for SU‐R phenotype did not cause a genome‐wide reduction in genetic diversity. Genetic differentiation among S. juncoides populations was higher than that observed for most weed species studied previously. Although populations in neighbouring paddy fields showed a high level of differentiation, Bayesian clustering analyses suggested that some level of gene flow occurs among them and that the genetic exchange or colonisation between neighbouring populations could contribute to the geographical expansion of the resistant allele.     

Genetic diversity and population genetic differentiation in the endangered annual weed,Bidens cernua (Compositae), and two common congeners in Japan

In this study, we examined the genetic diversity in three populations of the critically endangered annual, Bidens cernua, in Japan by using inter‐simple sequence repeat markers and compared our data with those from two common congeners: Bidens radiata var. pinnatifida and Bidens tripartita. In contrast to our expectations, the degree of genetic diversity at the species level was higher in B. cernua than in B. radiata var. pinnatifida or B. tripartita. At the population level, the degree of genetic diversity was highest in B. cernua. These results may be ascribed to the mating system and method of seedbank formation in B. cernua. An analysis of molecular variance revealed relatively high genetic differentiation among the populations of all three species. We concluded that the distribution width could not be an index of genetic variability in Bidens examined in this study.     

Genetic diversity of herbicide-resistant and -susceptible Avena fatua populations in North Dakota and Minnesota

Genetic diversity within and among 20 herbicide-resistant (HR) and 16 herbicide-susceptible (HS) Avena fatua multi-field populations was determined using 82 polymorphic loci resulting from two intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers and one long-primer random amplified polymorphic DNA (LP-RAPD) primer. Collections from the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota, sampled in 1964 and 2000, represented A. fatua populations before and after intensive exposure to herbicides. A 1995 collection from south-west North Dakota represented A. fatua exposed to low herbicide selection. Despite differences in years of herbicide exposure among collections, both HR and HS populations from every collection maintained nearly similar levels of ISSR and RAPD diversity. Genetic differentiation among populations (G_ST) varied from 11% to 13% among HR populations and from 9% to 16% among HS populations, indicating that 84–91% of total variation remained within HS or within HR populations. Minimal difference in gene diversity between HR and HS is consistent with multiple origins of resistance, where HR A. fatua most likely evolved from diverse founding individuals.     

Simple sequence repeat analysis of genetic diversity among Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase inhibitor‐resistant and ‐susceptible Echinochloa crus‐galli and E. oryzicola populations in Korea

Echinochloa species are amongst the most problematic weeds in rice fields of Korea. The steady reliance on the Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase) and acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicides for control of these weeds has led to resistance to these herbicides. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity among populations of ACCase inhibitor‐resistant and ‐susceptible Echinochloa crus‐galli and E. oryzicola in Korea, to better understand their population structure and possible origins of resistance. Seven simple sequence repeat markers were applied to assess the genetic diversity between resistant and susceptible E. crus‐galli and E. oryzicola from 12 populations in Korea. Genetic diversity was slightly higher in the resistant group. The Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetic algorithm (UPGMA) dendrogram generated two distinct clades. One clade consisted of Echinochloa spp. from three populations, i.e. Anmyeondo, Gimje 4 and Gongju, which are resistant and differentiated from the susceptible populations, and the other clade contained the rest of the populations. Structure modelling supported two clades of UPGMA clustering. Based on these data, we can infer that some resistant populations are greatly differentiated, whereas other resistant biotypes are still building up resistance in rice fields in Korea. Resistance traits will be fixed and continue to spread over time without proper control measures.     

Rapid diagnosis of sulfonylurea‐resistant Schoenoplectus juncoides [Roxb.] Palla using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and isogene‐specific direct sequencing

Rapid diagnostic methods to detect known mutations in acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes that confer sulfonylurea (SU) resistance to Schoenoplectus juncoides were developed in this study. By using 11 SU‐resistant accessions (nine accessions with a Pro₁₉₇ substitution in ALS1 or ALS2, one accession with an Asp₃₇₆Glu substitution in ALS2 and one accession with a Trp₅₇₄Leu substitution in ALS2), polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) analysis for DNA fragments that were amplified simultaneously from genomic ALS1 and ALS2 and PCR–RFLP analysis for DNA fragments that were amplified from either of the genomic ALS1 or ALS2 were carried out. In each of the two PCR–RFLP analyses, a common PCR product was digested separately with the restriction enzymes, BspLI, MboI and MunI, in order to detect Pro₁₉₇ substitutions, an Asp₃₇₆Glu substitution and a Trp₅₇₄Leu substitution, respectively. In each of the lanes where the detection of SU‐resistant substitutions was aimed, a specific band to suggest the existence of the said substitutions was observed in theoretically assumable ways. Separately, a direct sequencing method also was established, which was able to selectively sequence ALS1 or ALS2 from common templates containing both ALS1 and ALS2 by the isogene‐selective primers that were designed to anneal either of the ALS genes. It is expected that these methods could be used for the genetic analysis of SU‐resistant S. juncoides by providing rapid and accurate diagnosis.     

Genetic diversity of sulfonylurea-resistant and -susceptible Monochoria vaginalis populations in Japan

Monochoria vaginalis is one of the most serious weeds of rice fields in Asia. The species is predominantly selfing. To reveal the potential for multiple mutational events, outcrossing and gene flow in the sulfonylurea‐resistant (SU‐R) M. vaginalis populations, we investigated (i) if each SU‐R population was a single SU‐R biotype or a mixture of several SU‐R biotypes using restriction analysis or direct sequencing of acetolacatate synthase (ALS) genes and (ii) genetic diversity of SU‐R and ‐susceptible (S) populations using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Nineteen or 20 individuals were sampled from four SU‐R and five SU‐S populations respectively. Amino acid substitutions conferring resistance in the SU‐R populations were Pro₁₉₇Ser in the ALS1 or ALS3, or Asp₃₇₆Glu in the ALS1 and each SU‐R population was composed of a single SU‐R biotype. In cluster analysis each SU‐R individual formed a cluster, whereas the individuals from a SU‐S population belonged to different clusters. Some SU‐R populations showed polymorphic AFLP loci. The results indicated that these SU‐R biotypes emerged from a single mutational event and any gene flow of SU‐R genes from adjacent populations did not occur. A low level of outcrossing and recombinations of SU‐R genes occurred within some SU‐R populations of M. vaginalis.     

An assessment of genetic diversity within and between populations of Phalaris minor using ISSR markers

Intra- and inter-sample similarities for four populations of the annual grass weed Phalaris minor from Haryana state, India, were examined using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) DNA markers. Levels of polymorphism within and between populations were low in comparison with values reported from other grassy weed species. Analysis of inter-population similarities allowed a partial differentiation of the four populations and of pairs of populations classified by cropping system. Analysis of the intra-population similarity data showed a weak but consistent and statistically significant negative correlation between the molecular similarity of seedlings and the physical distance between their mother plants over distances up to 40 m (the maximum separation tested) in all four populations. The consistency of the observed relationship between molecular similarity and physical separation, and the differences in cultivation practices at the four sites, suggested that the relationship may be a result of localized out-crossing, rather than an effect of localized seed rain. The results of the analyses are discussed in relation to the potential for evolution of multiple traits in the weed in response to changes in the wheat production system in the region.     

Varied occurrence of diverse sulfonylurea‐resistant biotypes of Schoenoplectus juncoides [Roxb.] Palla in Japan,as classified by an acetolactate synthase gene mutation

Suspected sulfonylurea (SU)‐resistant Schoenoplectus juncoides plants were collected from rice paddy fields at 24 sites in Japan in order to discover the occurrence pattern of target‐site substitutions on a nationwide scale and at a local field scale. A genetic analysis of the two acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes, ALS1 and ALS2, of the collected plants confirmed that a single‐nucleotide mutation at the Pro₁₉₇, Asp₃₇₆ or Trp₅₇₄ site of either ALS1 or ALS2 existed in each suspected SU‐resistant plant. On a nationwide scale, it was shown that the ALS1 mutations and the ALS2 mutations occurred at a similar frequency, that the P197S and the P197L substitutions were found most frequently among all the substitutions, and that the W574L substitutions (known as global resistance to any ALS‐inhibiting herbicide) were found at a relatively low frequency but in a geographically wide range. In the local field‐scale survey, which was conducted at two sites in Hyogo Prefecture, it was shown that the substitutions were less diverse, compared to on a nationwide scale, probably because the investigation involved a limited number of local fields, and that several substitutions and a susceptible biotype were found in single fields suggesting that a number of collections is required in order to understand the local SU‐resistant status of S. juncoides. In addition, this study reported new findings, that of the P197R, P197T and D376E substitutions in S. juncoides. This set of diverse substitutions in a weed species can be used for further research purposes.     

西南地区稻瘟病菌群体遗传多样性分析

为明确西南地区稻瘟病菌Magnaporthe grisea(Hebert)Barr群体遗传结构及其多样性水平,选用13对SSR引物对来自18个县(市)的221个稻瘟病菌单孢菌株进行PCR扩增,利用最长距离法和生物学软件进行聚类分析和群体遗传多样性分析。结果显示,13对SSR引物均能扩增出一条大小相同且清晰的条带,多态位点百分率高达100%。221个菌株在0.16相异水平上可划分为13个遗传宗谱,宗谱SCL01含205个菌株,占总菌株数的92.76%,为优势宗谱;宗谱SCL02~SCL013为劣势宗谱,差异极大。在群体水平上,菌源丰富的8个区域稻瘟病菌群体的Nei’s基因多样性指数为0.2133,Shannon信息指数为0.3588,具有丰富的遗传多样性,且群体间差异较大;这8个种群基于UPGMA法大都聚为一类,种群遗传谱系与地理区域分布呈一定相关性,群体遗传多样性均值为0.2518,存在一定的遗传分化,且群体内多样性大于群体间,总遗传变异的59.37%存在于群体内。总体上,西南地区稻瘟病菌群体结构既有明显的优势宗谱,又存在许多复杂多变的特异性小宗谱,具有丰富的遗传多样性,与地理分布关系较为密切。     

Genetic analysis of Phytophthora sojae populations in Fujian, China

Phytophthora sojae is a destructive soilborne pathogen causing seedling damping‐off and root rot of soybean (Glycine max). The goal of this study was to determine the genetic structure of P. sojae populations in Fujian, China. Nine microsatellite markers were used to investigate the genetic variation in 19 P. sojae populations, sampled from Fujian Province and northeastern China (Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces) between 2002 and 2013. Overall, a low genetic diversity, Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium, and an index (an index of association) that was significantly different from zero were detected in populations; these results were consistent with self‐fertilization and clonal modes of reproduction for this pathogen. However, using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo approach, principal component analysis and neighbour joining (NJ) algorithm, the Fujian P. sojae populations clustered into three distinct groups, one of which included most isolates of the northeast populations. What is more, significant estimates of pairwise fixation indices (F_ST) were detected between most populations, especially in different clusters. It is hypothesized that the cropping system used, the limited dispersal ability, and human‐mediated gene flow may account for the observed genetic structure of P. sojae populations in Fujian, China. In addition, a high virulence frequency of the pathogen on different cultivars carrying known major R genes for resistance, and a rapid increase in virulence frequency, indicated that these major R genes should not be used to manage seedling damping‐off and root rot diseases of soybean (Glycine max).     

Population genetics of Phytophthora infestans in Denmark reveals dominantly clonal populations and specific alleles linked to metalaxyl‐M resistance

Control of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans relies heavily on chemicals. The fungicide metalaxyl‐M (Mefenoxam) has played an important role in controlling the disease, but insensitivity to the fungicide in certain isolates is now of major concern. A genetic basis for resistance to metalaxyl suggests the possibility for linking resistance phenotypes to specific population genetic markers, but in order to do this, the population genetic structure and mode of reproduction in a population must first be well described. The dynamics of metalaxyl‐M resistance in the Danish population of P. infestans was characterized over the course of the 2013 growing season, as was the population genetic structure, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) genotypes and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐based mitochondrial haplotyping of over 80 isolates. Both mating types A1 and A2 were present in most fields, but tests for recombination showed that clonal reproduction dominates in Danish populations. Genotype was not linked to haplotype and no differentiation was observed at the haplotype level, but rather between fields. Resistance phenotypes were linked to specific SSR alleles, demonstrating the potential for a more precise SNP‐based marker system for predicting resistance to metalaxyl‐M.     

Competitive ability of ALS‐inhibitor herbicide‐resistant Fimbristylis miliacea

Fimbristylis miliacea, a weed in rice, has evolved resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. This study aimed to investigate the competitive abilities of ALS‐resistant (R) and ALS‐susceptible (S) F. miliacea with rice. A replacement series experiment was conducted in the glasshouse at the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. The proportions of rice to F. miliacea were 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100, with 1060 plants m^?2. The experimental units were arranged in a completely randomised design with four replications. A follow‐up study was conducted at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA, in a split‐plot design with four replications. The main plot was species mixture (rice × R, rice × S, R × S). The subplot was competition partitioning (below‐ and above‐ground, below‐ground only, above‐ground only and no interspecific competition). Leaf area, plant height and shoot dry mass were recorded. Rice was more competitive than the R or S F. miliacea. In equal proportions of rice and F. miliacea, regardless of ecotype, the relative leaf area, height and dry mass of rice were greater than that of F. miliacea. The ALS‐resistant ecotype was less competitive with rice than the S ecotype. Intraspecific competition among rice plants was stronger than rice competition with F. miliacea. Competition for below‐ground resources was the most critical aspect of interference among rice and F. miliacea. In production fields, high infestation levels of F. miliacea results in significant yield losses; thus, resistance to ALS inhibitors needs to be curtailed.     

Herbicide‐resistant weeds in the Philippines: Status and resistance mechanisms

Two major weeds in rice in the Philippines, Sphenochlea zeylanica Gaertn. and Echinochloa crus‐galli (L.) Beauv., are controlled with chemical and cultural methods. In the 1980s, after >10 years of continuous use of 2,4‐D, S. zeylanica evolved resistance to the chemical in those rice fields that had been treated with 2,4‐D once or twice every cropping season. In the 1990s, E. crus‐galli evolved resistance to butachlor and propanil in rice monocrop areas where both herbicides were used continuously for 7–9 years. Rice farmers continue to use 2,4‐D, butachlor and propanil extensively and are often unaware of herbicide resistance or the potential for cross‐resistance, its causes or its implications. In order to control herbicide‐resistant E. crus‐galli, farmers are shifting to locally available herbicides with different modes of action, such as bispyribac, an acetolactate synthase inhibitor, and cyhalofop, an acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase inhibitor. Follow‐up manual weeding or rotary weeding after herbicide spraying, a common farmers’ practice, removes the susceptible and resistant biotypes and could help to delay or prevent the evolution of resistance. Although the resistance mechanisms of both weeds are not determined yet, they could be related to enhanced degradation that is similar to the mechanisms that are shown by the resistant biotypes in other countries.     

Phytophthora infestans populations in central,eastern and southern African countries consist of two major clonal lineages

Limited knowledge is available on Phytophthora infestans populations in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Therefore, and in response to recent severe late blight epidemics, P. infestans isolates from potato, tomato and Petunia × hybrida from eight SSA countries were characterized. Isolates were characterized with ‘old’ markers, including mating type (176 isolates), mitochondrial DNA haplotype (mtDNA) (281 isolates), glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase (Gpi) (70 isolates), restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with probe RG‐57 (49 isolates), and by metalaxyl sensitivity (64 isolates). Most isolates belonged to the US‐1 genotype or its variants (US‐1.10 and US‐1.11). The exceptions were genotype KE‐1 isolates (A1 mating type, mtDNA haplotype Ia, Gpi 90/100 and unique RG‐57 genotype), identified in two fields in Kenya, which are related to genotypes previously identified in Rwanda (RW‐1 and RW‐2), Ecuador and Europe. Metalaxyl‐resistant P. infestans isolates from potato were present in all the countries except Malawi, whereas all the isolates from tomato were sensitive. Genotyping of 176 isolates with seven simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, including locus D13 that was difficult to score, revealed 79 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) in SSA. When this locus was excluded, 35 MLGs were identified. Genetic differentiation estimates between regional populations from SAA were significant when locus D13 was either excluded (P = 0·05) or included (P = 0·007), but population differentiation was only low to moderate (F_ST = 0·044 and 0·053, respectively).     

Pathogenic and molecular diversity in highly virulent populations of the parasitic weed Orobanche cumana (sunflower broomrape) from Europe

The parasitic weed Orobanche cumana (sunflower broomrape) constrains sunflower production in eastern and southern Europe and in the Middle East. Although genetic resistance is the most effective control method, new parasite races evolve overcoming sunflower resistance. In this work, highly virulent populations of O. cumana were analysed for pathogenicity and genetic diversity. The virulence of 11 populations from Hungary, Romania, Spain and Turkey was assessed and compared after infection of sunflower inbred lines to differentiate races of the parasite under glasshouse conditions. Molecular diversity among and within 27 parasite populations was studied by RAPD‐PCR, UPGMA and amova analyses. Highly virulent race F was identified in Hungary, Spain and Turkey. The most virulent race (G) was also found in Turkey. The molecular analysis among highly virulent populations of O. cumana identified four molecular clusters, respectively, grouping populations from Central Spain, Hungary, South Spain and Turkey. The genetic homogeneity within parasite populations was confirmed, since no molecular divergences were found within them. This work constitutes the first geographical study of O. cumana together with pathogenicity and molecular traits inherent to each geographical group, and provides useful information for possible phylogenetic analyses of O. cumana. In addition, molecular markers associated with geographical origin could be developed and used as diagnostic tools to track new broomrape introductions into areas free of virulent races where they might represent a threat to sunflower production.     

西双版纳自然保护区球孢白僵菌的遗传多样性

为了解西双版纳自然保护区球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana的遗传多样性,采用SSR分子标记技术对西双版纳自然保护区的240株球孢白僵菌的遗传结构、基因流、菌株分化以及遗传变异相关性进行了测定和分析。结果表明,9条引物扩增240株球孢白僵菌菌株多态位点数为77个,多态位点比率为97.40%。采集的240株球孢白僵菌的总体等位基因数、有效等位基因数、Nei’s基因多样性指数和Shannon信息多样性指数分别为1.97、1.31、0.18和0.29。从寄主居群来看,鞘翅目昆虫球孢白僵菌群体遗传多样性最高,螳螂目最低,其Nei’s基因多样性指数和Shannon信息多样性指数分别为0.20和0.30、0和0;总遗传变异的29.27%存在于寄主居群间。从生境水平来看,五十五生境中球孢白僵菌群体遗传多样性最高,丫口寨生境中最低,其Nei’s基因多样性指数和Shannon信息多样性指数最高分别为0.19和0.31、0.06和0.09;总遗传变异的14.92%存在于生境居群间。从季节水平来看,球孢白僵菌秋季居群的遗传多样性最高,夏季最低,其Nei’s基因多样性指数和Shannon信息多样性指数分别为0.20和0.32、0.17和0.26;总遗传变异的3.45%存在于季节居群间。表明西双版纳自然保护区球孢白僵菌在寄主昆虫、生境分布和季节间存在明显的遗传多样性,与寄主昆虫类群的关系密切。     

Genetic diversity and structure of Hemileia vastatrix populations on Coffea spp.

Coffee leaf rust is the most limiting disease for coffee cultivation in Brazil. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about the genetic diversity of Hemileia vastatrix, the rust causal agent. In this work, the DNA from 112 monopustule isolates from different geographic locations and coffee genotypes were analysed by amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). The objectives were to assess the influence of the host and geographic origin on the diversity and population differentiation in H. vastatrix. The fungal population showed a low level of genotypic diversity. Gene diversity (h) was 0·027 and the hypothesis of random mating in the total population was rejected, but evidence for recombination was found for two subpopulations (São Paulo and Paraná). The analysis of molecular variance revealed that 90% of the genetic distribution of the pathogen occurs among isolates within the subpopulation (states or host of origin). There was no correlation between geographic and genetic distance (r = ?0·024, P = 0·74), which together with the high number of migrants and the low degree of differentiation in populations of H. vastatrix, is consistent with the fact that the inoculum is probably easily dispersed by wind over long distances, allowing dispersal of the pathogen among coffee growing areas in Brazil. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the durability of resistant sources to coffee rust. The recommendation for the breeding programmes is thus to incorporate multigenic resistance as a control strategy.     

Genetic diversity and pathogenicity of Monilinia polystroma – the new pathogen of cherries

Brown rot caused by fungi belonging to the genus Monilinia is one of the major limiting factors of sour and sweet cherry production. Up to now, three species, M. fructigena, M. laxa and M. fructicola, have been identified as causal agents of brown rot on cherries worldwide. From 2010 to 2013, during the monitoring of cherry orchards in different areas of Poland, a fourth species, M. polystroma, was isolated from brown rot symptoms on sour and sweet cherry fruits. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time M. polystroma has been reported as the causal agent of brown rot on cherries. The genetic diversity of M. polystroma isolates from cherries and other hosts was analysed using PCR MP, ISSR and RAPD techniques and showed its clear distinctness from other Monilinia spp. tested. The cluster analysis of fingerprinting data revealed a high similarity of M. polystroma isolates from Poland and their close relationship with the reference strain from Japan, indicating that this species is a recently introduced pathogen. The highest genetic distance between the examined isolates and the highest number of different genotypes was observed in an ISSR assay. Detailed genetic diversity characteristics revealed that M. polystroma isolates from cherries did not create a distinct group but were intermingled with M. polystroma isolates from other hosts. The results of the pathogenicity test conducted on different fruit species indicated a lack of host specificity for M. polystroma isolates.     

Genetic diversity of giant reed ( A rundo donax) in Australia

The perennial grass, Arundo donax, has shown potential as a promising biomass crop. However, it has become invasive in a number of areas and declared a noxious weed in some jurisdictions, making proposals to grow A. donax for commercial use in Australia controversial. Evidence of asexual reproduction and the presence of a single genetic clone in Australia was investigated, as such characteristics would indicate a limited risk of escape and invasion. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers, the genetic diversity of 218 A. donax samples from across Australia was examined. The samples were found to separate into two distinct genetic groups, or clades. There was only a small amount of genetic diversity within a clade (0.9 and 1.5%). However, there was a larger difference between the clades of 19.8%, suggesting the presence of two distinct A. donax genotypes in Australia. The low level of genetic variation in Australian A. donax that was found in this study indicates that spread is essentially by vegetative means and suggests that if grown in areas where it is separated from natural water dispersal events, A. donax poses a low risk of becoming invasive.     

Resistance levels of sulfonylurea‐resistant Schoenoplectus juncoides (Roxb.) Palla with various Pro197 mutations in acetolactate synthase to imazosulfuron,bensulfuron‐methyl,metsulfuron‐methyl and imazaquin‐ammonium

An investigation, using herbicidal pot tests in a greenhouse condition, was conducted to determine the whole‐plant dose–response relationships to several acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides of sulfonylurea (SU)‐resistant Schoenoplectus juncoides with various Pro₁₉₇ mutations in ALS that was collected from Japanese rice paddy fields. All the tested SU‐resistant accessions with a Pro₁₉₇ mutation were highly resistant to two commonly used SU herbicides (imazosulfuron and bensulfuron‐methyl), but were much less resistant to another SU herbicide, metsulfuron‐methyl, and were substantially not resistant to imazaquin‐ammonium. These cross‐resistance patterns have been known previously in fragments of S. juncoides and other weed species and were comprehensively confirmed in this study with a whole set of Pro₁₉₇ mutations. The analyses of resistance levels, based on ED₉₀ values, newly showed that different accessions with a common amino acid substitution in ALS1 showed similar responses to these herbicides (confirmed with four amino acid substitutions), that the rankings of resistance levels that were conferred by various Pro₁₉₇ mutations in ALS1 differed among the SU herbicides and that the resistance levels of the ALS2‐mutated accessions were higher than, lower than or similar to those of the corresponding ALS1‐mutated accessions, depending on the compared pair, but the deviation patterns were generally similar among the SU herbicides in each compared pair. The final finding might suggest that the abundance of ALS2 is not as stable as that of ALS1. In addition, as a result of these new findings, together with expected further research, a suggested possibility is that substituting amino acids at Pro₁₉₇ generally could be estimated by plotting each accession's ED₉₀ values of imazosulfuron and bensulfuron‐methyl in a two‐dimensional graph.