Inhibition of acetolactate synthase in susceptible and resistant biotypes of Stellaria media

Acetolactate synthase (ALS) from one susceptible and two chlorsulfuronresistant biotypes of Stellaria media(L.) Vill. was assayed in the presence of eight known ALS inhibitors. As expected, ALS from the chlorsulfuronresistant biotypes (R1 and R2) showed reduced sensitivity to chlorsulfuron and other sulfonylurea herbicides. The patterns of cross-resistance varied, however, indicating that the alteration in ALS that confers chlorsulfuron resistance does not confer the same level of resistance to other sulfonylurea herbicides. The resistant biotypes were highly cross-resistant to sulfometuron-methyl and DPX-A7H81, but less cross-resistant to triasulfuron. Both R1 and R2 were highly cross-resistant to DTPS (N-[2,6-dichlorophenyl]-5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-iriazolo[1,5a]pyrimidine-2-siilfoiiamide), but only slightly cross-resistant to imazamethahenz, an imidazolinone herbicide. The differences in the patterns of cross-resistance observed presumably reflect differences in the binding affinity of the herbicides for the altered ALS. The data presented suggest, but do not confirm, that R1 and R2 contain the same ALS mutation.     

Combined effects of wheat competition and 2,4-D amine on phenoxy herbicide resistant Raphanus raphanistrum populations

Phenoxy herbicides are integral to the control of Raphanus raphanistrum populations in Australian crop production systems, but the development of phenoxy resistant R. raphanistrum populations poses a major threat to the sustainability of these systems. In dose–response pot studies, phenoxy herbicide resistant R. raphanistrum populations, WARR12 and WARR20, suffered large biomass reductions following treatment with recommended or higher application rates of phenoxy herbicides. This indicates the presence of a weak resistance mechanism where treated plants, although surviving, are affected by these herbicides. Subsequently, the competitive ability of 2,4-D amine treated or untreated WARR12 and WARR20 populations with wheat was assessed using a target-neighbourhood experiment. The combination of wheat competition and 2,4-D amine application resulted in control of the resistant WARR12 population, but not the WARR20 population. Wheat crop competition alone resulted in large (>40%) biomass reductions of WARR12 and WARR20 populations. However, the application of the recommended rate of 2,4-D amine caused a large (>75%) reduction in WARR12 biomass, but had a reduced effect on WARR20 biomass. These studies possibly explain the largely successful control of R. raphanistrum populations being achieved with phenoxy herbicides in cropping systems across the Western Australia wheatbelt. However, the results also indicated that the strategy of combining crop competition with phenoxy herbicides for the control of this weed is likely to be an effective option in the short-term only.     

Sulfonylurea resistance in Stellaria media [L.] Vill.

A sulfonylurea resistant biotype of common chickweed (Stellaria media L. Vill.) was found in a field treated with chlorsulfuron or metsulfuron for eight consecutive years. In pot experiments the biotype was resistant to postemergence treatments with the following acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors: chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, tribenuron, triasulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, flumetsulam and imazapyr. The level of resistance to chlorsulfuron and sulfometuron was higher than to the other sulfonylurea herbicides. Whereas the level of cross resistance to the triazolopyrimidine herbicide, flumetsulam was comparable to that of metsulfuron, that of imazapyr was significantly lower. In contrast to imazapyr the biotype was not resistant to imazethapyr, an other imidazolinone herbicide. ALS in vitro assays revealed that resistance was due to an ALS enzyme that was less sensitive to ALS inhibiting herbicides. Herbicides with different modes of action were equally effective on the susceptible and resistant biotypes.     

Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) cross-resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides

BACKGROUND: Papaver rhoeas (L.) has evolved resistance to tribenuron in winter wheat fields in northern Greece owing to multiple Pro₁₉₇ substitutions. Therefore, the cross‐resistance pattern to other sulfonylurea and non‐sulfonylurea ALS‐inhibiting herbicides of the tribenuron resistant (R) and susceptible (S) corn poppy populations was studied by using whole‐plant trials and in vitro ALS catalytic activity assays. RESULTS: The whole‐plant trials revealed that tribenuron R populations were also cross‐resistant to sulfonylureas mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron, chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron. The whole‐plant resistance factors (RFs) calculated for pyrithiobac, imazamox and florasulam ranged from 12.4 to > 88, from 1.5 to 28.3 and from 5.6 to 25.4, respectively, and were lower than the respective tribenuron RF values (137 to > 2400). The ALS activity assay showed higher resistance of the ALS enzyme to sulfonylurea herbicides (tribenuron > chlorsulfuron) and lower resistance to non‐sulfonylurea ALS‐inhibiting herbicides (pyrithiobac > florasulam ≈ imazamox). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Pro₁₉₇ substitution by Ala, Ser, Arg or Thr in corn poppy results in a less sensitive ALS enzyme to sulfonylurea herbicides than to other ALS‐inhibiting herbicides. The continued use of sulfonylurea herbicides led to cross‐resistance to all ALS‐inhibiting herbicides, making their use impossible in corn poppy resistance management programmes. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cross-resistance profile of mesosulfuron-methyl-resistant Italian ryegrass in the southern United States

Diclofop-resistant Lolium species (ryegrass) is a major weed problem in wheat production worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the resistance pattern of diclofop-resistant ryegrass accessions from the southern United States to mesosulfuron-methyl, a recently commercialized herbicide for ryegrass control in wheat; to determine the cross-resistance pattern of a Lolium multiflorum Lam. (Italian ryegrass) accession, 03-1, to acetolactate synthase (ALS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors; and to determine the resistance mechanism of Italian ryegrass to mesosulfuron-methyl. Seventeen ryegrass accessions from Arkansas and Louisiana, including standard resistant and susceptible accessions, were used in this experiment. Fourteen of the 17 accessions were more resistant (four- to > 308-fold) to diclofop than the standard susceptible biotype. One accession, 03-1, was resistant to mesosulfuron-methyl as well as to other ALS inhibitor herbicides such as chlorsulfuron, imazamox and sulfometuron. Accession 03-1, however, did not show multiple resistance to the ACCase inhibitor herbicides diclofop, fluazifop, clethodim, sethoxydim and pinoxaden, nor to glyphosate. The in vivo ALS activity of the 03-1 biotype was less affected by mesosulfuron-methyl than the susceptible biotype. This indicates that the resistance mechanism of Italian ryegrass to mesosulfuron-methyl is partly due to an alteration in the target enzyme, ALS. It is concluded that diclofop-resistant ryegrass in the southern United States can be generally controlled by mesosulfuron-methyl. However, mesosulfuron-methyl must be used with caution because not all ryegrass populations are susceptible to it. There is a need for more thorough profiling of ryegrass resistance to herbicides.     

Resistance of Raphanus raphanistrum to chlorsulfuron in the Republic of South Africa

Herbicide resistance poses a substantial threat to the agricultural industry throughout the world and during the past decade several reports regarding herbicide resistance have been published. Raphanus raphanistrum L., from two wheat farms located in the winter rainfall region of South Africa, showed indications of resistance to chlorsulfuron. Seeds from these suspected resistant biotypes as well as seeds from a susceptible biotype were collected and transported to the ARC-Small Grain Institute for herbicide resistance studies. Herbicides registered for R. raphanistrum control, i.e. chlorsulfuron, MCPA and bromoxynil, were used in this study. Significant differences in the degree of control were found between the susceptible and two resistant biotypes, when treated with chlorsulfuron. The LD₅₀ values for the resistant biotypes (WR 1 & WR 2) were 45 and 11.3 g a.i. ha^–1, respectively, whereas the LD₅₀ value for the susceptible biotype was 5.6 g a.i. ha^–1. The almost eightfold difference between the susceptible and resistant biotype (WR 1), indicated that resistance has developed to chlorsulfuron. Only twofold resistance was established between the other resistant biotype (WR 2) and the susceptible biotype. Significant differences between herbicide rates were also established with the MCPA and bromoxynil experiments. No significant difference could, however, be found between the susceptible and resistant biotypes when treated with MCPA and bromoxynil, indicating the importance of different modes of action of herbicide as a strategy to prevent herbicide resistance.     

Conyza albida: a new biotype with ALS inhibitor resistance

Summary A biotype of Conyza albida resistant to imazapyr was discovered on a farm in the province of Seville, Spain, on land that had been continuously treated with this herbicide. This is the first reported occurrence of target site resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides in C. albida . In order to characterize this resistant biotype, dose–response experiments, absorption and translocation assays, metabolism studies, ALS activity assays and control with alternative herbicides were performed. Dose–response experiments revealed a marked difference between resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes with a resistance factor [ED₅₀(R)/ED₅₀(S)] of 300. Cross-resistance existed with amidosulfuron, imazethapyr and nicosulfuron. Control of both biotypes using alternative herbicides was good using chlorsulfuron, triasulfuron, diuron, simazine, glyphosate and glufosinate. The rest of the herbicides tested did not provide good control for either biotype. There were no differences in absorption and translocation between the two biotypes, the maximum absorption reached about 15%, and most of the radioactivity taken up remained in the treated leaf. The metabolism pattern was similar and revealed that both biotypes may form polar metabolites with similar retention time (R_f). The effect of several ALS inhibitors on ALS (target site) activity measured in leaf extracts from both biotypes was investigated. Only with imazapyr and imazethapyr did the R biotype show a higher level of resistance than the S biotype [I₅₀ (R)/I₅₀(S) value of 4.0 and 3.7 respectively]. These data suggest that the resistance to imazapyr found in the R biotype of C. albida results primarily from an altered target site.     

我国小麦田禾本科杂草对精噁唑禾草灵的抗药性研究进展

小麦是我国主要的粮食作物, 麦田草害的发生与危害严重影响小麦的产量与品质。我国小麦田的禾本科杂草主要包括日本看麦娘、看麦娘、菵草和多花黑麦草等, 田间杂草防除主要依靠化学除草剂。精噁唑禾草灵自20世纪80年代进入我国市场以来, 长期用于小麦田禾本科杂草防除, 已经报道麦田多种禾本科杂草对精噁唑禾草灵产生了高水平抗药性。为更加科学合理地控制小麦田杂草的发生与危害, 一些学者就麦田禾本科杂草对精噁唑禾草灵的抗药性水平监测和抗性机理进行了系统研究。本文系统总结了我国小麦田抗精噁唑禾草灵杂草的发生种群、抗性水平、靶标酶抗性机理与非靶标抗性机理, 还梳理了抗性杂草的交互抗性与多抗性发生情况, 分析了我国在抗性杂草治理方面的经验以及面临的问题, 为农田杂草防除提供指导。     

Frequency and distribution of herbicide resistance in Raphanus raphanistrum populations randomly collected across the Western Australian wheatbelt

In 2003, a random survey was conducted across the Western Australian wheatbelt to establish the extent and frequency of herbicide resistance in Raphanus raphanistrum populations infesting crop fields. Five hundred cropping fields were visited, with 90 R. raphanistrum populations collected, representative of populations present in crop fields throughout the Western Australian wheatbelt. Collected populations were screened with four herbicides of various modes of action that are commonly used for the control of this weed. The majority of Western Australian R. raphanistrum populations were found to contain plants resistant to the acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicide chlorsulfuron (54%) and auxin analogue herbicide, 2,4‐D amine (60%). This survey also determined that over half (58%) of these populations were multiple resistant across at least two of the four herbicide modes of action used in the screening. Only 17% of R. raphanistrum populations have retained their initial status of susceptibility to all four herbicides. The distribution patterns of the herbicide‐resistant populations identified that there were higher frequencies of resistant and developing resistance populations occurring in the intensively cropped northern regions of the wheatbelt. These results clearly indicate that the reliance on herbicidal weed control in cropping systems based on reduced tillage and stubble retention will lead to higher frequencies of herbicide‐resistant weed populations. Therefore, within intensive crop production systems, there is a need to diversify weed management strategies and not rely entirely on too few herbicide control options.     

Cross-resistance pattern and alternative herbicides for Cyperus difformis resistant to sulfonylurea herbicides in Korea

A Cyperus difformis L accession from Chonnam province, Korea was tested for resistance to the sulfonylurea herbicide, imazosulfuron. The accession was confirmed to be resistant (R) and was cross-resistant to other sulfonylurea herbicides, bensulfuron-methyl, cyclosulfamuron and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, the pyrimidinyl thiobenzoate herbicide, bispyribac-sodium, and the imidazolinone herbicide imazapyr, but not to imazaquin. Multiple resistance was tested using twelve herbicides with target sites other than acetolactate synthase (ALS). The R biotype could be controlled by other herbicides with different modes of action such as butachlor, carfentrazone-ethyl, clomeprop, dithiopyr, esprocarb, mefenacet, oxadiazon, pretilachlor, pyrazolate and thiobencarb, applied to soil at recommended rates. Several sulfonylurea herbicide-based mixtures can control both the R and S biotypes of C difformis, except sulfonylurea plus dimepiperate, molinate or pyriftalid, and pyrazolate plus butachlor. Although mixtures of sulfonylurea herbicides might be more effective, they should be avoided and used only in special cases. In terms of in vitro ALS activity, the R biotype was 1139-, 3583-, 1482-, 416-, 5- and 9-fold more resistant to bensulfuron-methyl, cyclosulfamuron, imazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, bispyribac-sodium and imazapyr, respectively, than the S biotype. The in vivo ALS activity of the R biotype was also less affected by the sulfonylurea herbicides, imazosulfuron and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, than the S biotype. Results of in vitro and in vivo ALS assays indicated that the resistance mechanism of C difformis to ALS inhibitor herbicides was primarily due to an alteration in the target enzyme, ALS. Greenhouse experiments showed delayed flowering and reduced seed production of the R biotype, which could possibly result in reduced fitness. This unusual observation needs to be confirmed in field situations.     

Weeds resistant to chlorsulfuron and atrazine from the north-east grain region of Australia

The resistance of weeds to triazine and sulfonylurea herbicides has been recorded in several countries. The extent of the problem in the north-east grain region of Australia is uncertain. In an initial study, resistance to chlorsulfuron and atrazine in 15 weed species was investigated. The study showed that at least six of them have evolved resistance to one or other of these herbicides. Two collections of Rapistvum rugosum L., three of Sisymbrium orientale L., five of Sonchus oleraceus L., one of Fallopia convolvulus (L.) A. Love and one of Sisymbrium rhellungii O. Schultz were resistant to the recommended rate of chlorsulfuron (15 g a.i. ha^-1). Resistance to chlorsulfuron was not discovered in three collections of Sisymbrium L., two of Brassica tournefortii Gouan. three of Emex australis Steinh. and 11 of Phalaris paradoxa L. Two collections of Urochtoa panicoides Beauv. were resistant, and three collections possibly resistant, to the recommended rate of atrazine(1.8 kg a.i. ha^-1). Resistance to atrazine was not found in 12 collections of Hibiscus urionum L., nine of Salvia reflexa L., two of Parthenium hysterophorus L., two of Amaranthus viridis L. and 14 of Echinochloa colona (L) Link. The resistance status of four weeds ( R. rugosum. F. convolvulus, S. thellungii and U. panicoides was confirmed using a multiple dose-response screen and is the first report of resistance for these species. Herbicide usage records show that resistance has developed after 3-10 years of selection with chlorsulfuron and 2-15 years of selection with atrazine, with no correlation between the frequency of use and the degree of resistance for any of the species where eight or more collections were made.     

psbA mutation (Asn266 to Thr) in Senecio vulgaris L. confers resistance to several PS II-inhibiting herbicides

DNA sequence analysis of the psbA gene encoding the D1 protein of photosystem II (PS II), the target site of PS II-inhibiting herbicides, identified a point mutation (Asn266 to Thr) in a bromoxynil-resistant Senecio vulgaris L. population collected from peppermint fields in Oregon. Although this mutation has been previously reported in Synechocystis, this is the first report of this particular point mutation in a higher plant exhibiting resistance to PS II-inhibiting herbicides. The resistant population displayed high-level resistance to bromoxynil and terbacil (R/S ratio 10.1 and 9.3, respectively) and low-level resistance to metribuzin and hexazinone (R/S ratio 4.2 and 2.6, respectively) when compared with the susceptible population. However, the population was not resistant to the triazine herbicides atrazine and simazine or to the urea herbicide diuron. A chlorophyll fluorescence assay confirmed the resistance levels and patterns of cross-resistance of the whole-plant studies. The resistant S. vulgaris plants produced fewer seeds. Differences in cross-resistance patterns to PS II-inhibiting herbicides and the difference in fitness cost could be exploited in a weed management program.     

Chemical control of herbicide-resistant Lolium rigidum Gaud. in north-eastern Spain

BACKGROUND: Lolium rigidum Gaud. is one of the most common weed species in winter cereals in north‐eastern Spain, with populations that have evolved resistance to herbicides becoming more widespread since the mid‐1990s. Nine trials on commercial fields with herbicide‐resistant L. rigidum were conducted during the cropping seasons 2001–2002 to 2003–2004, testing the efficacy of 20 herbicides and mixtures pre‐ and post‐emergence and as sequential applications. Weed populations chosen had different resistance patterns to chlortoluron, chlorsulfuron, diclofop‐methyl and tralkoxydim, representative of the resistance problems faced by farmers. RESULTS: In pre‐emergence, prosulfocarb mixed with trifluralin, chlortoluron or triasulfuron was effective on six populations. In post‐emergence, iodosulfuron alone or mixed with mesosulfuron gave the best results but did not control three resistant populations. At Ferran 1, none of the herbicide combinations reached 90% efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The diverse efficacy patterns of the different populations demonstrate the need for detailed knowledge of the populations before using herbicides. Moreover, the unexpected insufficient efficacy of the new herbicide iodosulfuron prior to its field use shows the need to combine herbicides with other non‐chemical weed control methods to control resistant L. rigidum in north‐eastern Spain. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sulfonylurea herbicide-resistant Monochoria vaginalis in Korean rice culture

Nine Monochoria vaginalis Pres1 accessions from Chonnam province, Korea were tested for resistance to the sulfonylurea herbicide, imazosulfuron, in whole-plant response bioassay. All accessions were confirmed resistant (R) to imazosulfuron. The GR50 (imazosulfuron concentration that reduced shoot dry weight by 50%) values of R accessions were 1112-3172 (accession #9) times higher than that of the standard susceptible (S) accession. Accession #9 exhibited cross-resistance to other sulfonylurea herbicides, bensulfuron-methyl, cyclosulfamuron and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, but not to the imidazolinone herbicides, imazapyr and imazaquin. The R biotype could be controlled by other herbicides with different modes of action, such as mefenacet and pyrazolate, applied to soil at recommended rates. Foliar-applied herbicides, 2,4-D and bentazone, also controlled both the R and S biotypes. Sulfonylurea-based mixtures, except ethoxysulfuron plus fentrazamide, did not control resistant M. vaginalis. Rice yield was reduced 70% by resistant M. vaginalis that escaped pyrazosulfuron-ethyl plus molinate, compared with hand weeding in direct-seeded rice culture. In contrast, rice yield was reduced 44% by resistant M. vaginalis that survived the pyrazosulfuron-ethyl plus molinate treatment, compared with pyrazolate plus butachlor in transplanted rice culture. In vitro acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity of the R biotype was 183, 35, 130 and 31 times more resistant to imazosulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, cyclosulfamuron and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, respectively, than the S biotype. Imidazolinone herbicides, imazapyr and imazaquin had similar effect on in vitro ALS activity of the R and S biotypes. The in vivo ALS activity of the R biotype was also less affected than the S biotype by the sulfonylurea herbicides imazosulfuron and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl. Results of in vitro and in vivo ALS assays indicate that the resistance mechanism of M. vaginalis to sulfonylurea herbicides may be due, in part, to an alteration in the target enzyme, ALS. Since the level of resistance in the enzyme assay was much lower than that in the whole-plant assay, other mechanisms of resistance, such as herbicide metabolism, may be involved.     

Herbicidal control of Chromolaena odorata in oil palm

A range of herbicides was evaluated for the control of Chromolaena odorata (L.) K & R in oil palm at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research. Glufosinate-ammonium quickly dessicated treated foliage but weed plants soon recovered. Glyphosate-isopropylamine and glyphosate-trimesium produced similar results, both formulations controlling treated vegetation and suppressing regrowth for up to 12 weeks after treatment. Triclopyr and hexazinone + diuron were effective for up to 20 WAT, whereas imazapyr controlled regrowth for up to 36 WAT. Regrowth of the weed from its roots was better suppressed when the foliage was left undisturbed for 4–7 days after herbicide treatment. Repeated annual applications of triclopyr, hexazinone + diuron, the two formulations of glyphosate or imazapyr progressively reduced the biomass of C . odorata in the plots. In particular, imazapyr effectively eliminated the weed after the second application. Taking crop tolerance into consideration, the most promising herbicide treatments were glyphosate at 2.4 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ and low rates (0.5 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ or less) of imazapyr.     

Imidazolinone-tolerant crops: history, current status and future

Imidazolinone herbicides, which include imazapyr, imazapic, imazethapyr, imazamox, imazamethabenz and imazaquin, control weeds by inhibiting the enzyme acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS), also called acetolactate synthase (ALS). AHAS is a critical enzyme for the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids in plants. Several variant AHAS genes conferring imidazolinone tolerance were discovered in plants through mutagenesis and selection, and were used to create imidazolinone-tolerant maize (Zea mays L), wheat (Triticum aestivum L), rice (Oryza sativa L), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L). These crops were developed using conventional breeding methods and commercialized as Clearfield* crops from 1992 to the present. Imidazolinone herbicides control a broad spectrum of grass and broadleaf weeds in imidazolinone-tolerant crops, including weeds that are closely related to the crop itself and some key parasitic weeds. Imidazolinone-tolerant crops may also prevent rotational crop injury and injury caused by interaction between AHAS-inhibiting herbicides and insecticides. A single target-site mutation in the AHAS gene may confer tolerance to AHAS-inhibiting herbicides, so that it is technically possible to develop the imidazolinone-tolerance trait in many crops. Activities are currently directed toward the continued improvement of imidazolinone tolerance and development of new Clearfield* crops. Management of herbicide-resistant weeds and gene flow from crops to weeds are issues that must be considered with the development of any herbicide-resistant crop. Thus extensive stewardship programs have been developed to address these issues for Clearfield* crops.     

Activity of mesotrione on resistant weeds in maize

Mesotrione is a new callistemone herbicide that inhibits the HPPD enzyme (p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase) and introduces a new naturally selective tool into weed-management programmes for use in maize. Mesotrione provides control of the major broad-leaved weeds, and it can be used in integrated weed-management programmes depending on the grower's preferred weed-control strategy. At post-emergence rates of 150 g AI ha-1 or less, mesotrione provides naturally selective control of key species that may show triazine resistance (TR), e.g. Chenopodium album L, Amaranthus species, Solanum nigrum L, as well as species of weed that show resistance to acetolactase synthase (ALS) inhibitors e.g. Xanthium strumarium L, Amaranthus spp and Sonchus spp. The data presented show that resistant and susceptible biotypes of these species with resistance to triazine herbicides, such as atrazine, simazine, terbutylazine and metribuzin, or ALS-inhibitor herbicides, such as imazethepyr, remain susceptible to mesotrione. These results confirm that there is no cross-resistance in biotypes with target site resistance to triazine or ALS-inhibiting herbicides. It is important that herbicide choice and rotation becomes an integral part of planning weed management, so as to minimise the risks of crop losses from weed competition, build-up of weed seed in the soil and the further development of weed resistance across a range of herbicide modes of action.     

Herbicide-resistant crops and weed resistance to herbicides

The adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops has increased dramatically during the last 3 years, and currently over 52 million hectares of GM crops are planted world-wide. Approximately 41 million hectares of GM crops planted are herbicide-resistant crops, which includes an estimated 33.3 million hectares of herbicide-resistant soybean. Herbicide-resistant maize, canola, cotton and soybean accounted for 77% of the GM crop hectares in 2001. However, sugarbeet, wheat, and as many as 14 other crops have transgenic herbicide-resistant cultivars that may be commercially available in the near future. There are many risks associated with the production of GM and herbicide-resistant crops, including problems with grain contamination, segregation and introgression of herbicide-resistant traits, marketplace acceptance and an increased reliance on herbicides for weed control. The latter issue is represented in the occurrence of weed population shifts, the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed populations and herbicide-resistant crops becoming volunteer weeds. Another issue is the ecological impact that simple weed management programs based on herbicide-resistant crops have on weed communities. Asiatic dayflower (Commelina cumminus L) common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L) and wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L) are reported to be increasing in prominence in some agroecosystems due to the simple and significant selection pressure brought to bear by herbicide-resistant crops and the concomitant use of the herbicide. Finally, evolution of herbicide-resistant weed populations attributable to the herbicide-resistant crop/herbicide program has been observed. Examples of herbicide-resistant weeds include populations of horseweed (Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq) resistant to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate). An important question is whether or not these problems represent significant economic issues for future agriculture.     

Transformation a mutant Monochoria vaginalis acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene renders Arabidopsis thaliana resistant to ALS inhibitors

Acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes from Monochoria vaginalis resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes against ALS inhibitors found in Korea revealed a single amino acid substitution of Proline (CCT), at 169th position based on the M. vaginalis ALS sequence numbering, to serine (TCT) in conserved domain A of the gene (equal to the proline 197 in Arabidopsis thaliana ALS gene sequence). A. thaliana plants transformed with the single mutated (Pro₁₆₉ to Ser) M. vaginalis ALS gene (including transit signal peptide) showed cross-resistance patterns to ALS-inhibiting herbicides, like as sulfonylurea-herbicide bensulfuron methyl (R/S factor of 9.5), imidazolinone-herbicide imazapyr (R/S factor of 5.1), and triazolopyrimidine-herbicide flumetsulam (R/S factor of 17.6) when measuring hypocotyls’ length of A. thaliana. The ALS activity from the transgenic A. thaliana plants confirmed the cross-resistance pattern to these herbicides like as R/S factor of 8.3 to bensulfuron methyl, 2.3 to imazapyr, and 13.2 to flumetsulam.     

典型咪唑啉酮类除草剂的微生物降解研究进展

咪唑啉酮类除草剂是中国广泛应用的除草剂,具有杀草谱广、活性高、选择性强等优点,但其在土壤中残留期长,影响后茬作物.本文综述了典型的咪唑啉酮类除草剂甲氧咪草烟、咪唑乙烟酸和甲咪唑烟酸残留对后茬作物的影响,探究了降解部分咪唑啉酮类除草剂(甲氧咪草烟、咪唑乙烟酸和咪唑烟酸)的微生物所属类群及降解途径,分析了影响微生物降解咪唑...