Sensitivity of Echinochloa crus‐galli populations to maize herbicides: a comparison between cropping systems

Echinochloa crus‐galli is an important maize weed with significant variation in herbicide sensitivity. This differential response may reflect differences in selection pressure caused by years of cropping system‐related herbicide usage. The herbicide sensitivity of E. crus‐galli populations from three divergent cropping systems was evaluated in dose–response pot experiments. Populations were collected from sandy fields with (i) a long‐term organic cropping system, (ii) a conventional cropping system with maize in the crop rotation or (iii) a conventional cropping system with long‐term monocropping of maize. Each cropping system was represented by six E. crus‐galli populations. The effectiveness of three foliar‐applied maize herbicides (nicosulfuron, cycloxydim and topramezone) and two soil‐applied maize herbicides (S‐metolachlor and dimethenamid‐P) was tested at three doses and two runs. Foliar‐applied herbicides were applied at the three true leaves stage. Soil‐applied herbicides were applied immediately after sowing. The foliage dry weight per pot was determined 4 weeks after treatment. Plant responses were expressed as biomass reduction. Herbicide sensitivity was consistently lowest for populations from maize monocropping systems. Compared with populations from organic cropping systems, populations from monocropping systems showed 6.9%, 9.8% and 29.3% lower sensitivity to cycloxydim, topramezone and nicosulfuron respectively. Populations from the conventional crop rotation system showed intermediate sensitivity levels, which did not significantly differ from sensitivity levels of populations from the other cropping systems. Sensitivity to dimethenamid‐P and S‐metolachlor was not affected by cropping system. Environmental conditions influenced herbicidal response . This study indicated that integrated weed management may be necessary to preserve herbicide efficacy over the long term.     

Morphological and genetic variability of local Echinochloa accessions and the link with herbicide sensitivity

Echinochloa crus‐galli and Echinochloa muricata are common weeds in Belgian maize fields. Both species are morphologically difficult to distinguish and exhibit high morphological variability. Their response to herbicides varies from field to field. This study investigated whether the considerable morphological polymorphism found among Belgian Echinochloa accessions has a genetic background and whether it is consistently associated with differences in sensitivity to maize herbicides. For this purpose, accessions of E. crus‐galli and E. muricata were compared for morphological and genetic resemblance and tested for herbicide sensitivity. All accessions were planted in the field to examine the morphological traits. A cluster analysis was conducted to assess them for morphological diversity. DNA of leaf material was used for amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis to cluster the accessions genetically. Dose–response pot experiments were conducted in the glasshouse to assess the effectiveness of an acetolactate synthase (nicosulfuron), acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (cycloxydim) and 4‐hydroxyphenyl phosphate dioxygenase (topramezone) inhibiting herbicide. The genetic and morphological clusters were compared with the effective doses obtained from the dose–response bioassays. Morphological variation significantly correlated with genetic variation, but the relation with herbicide sensitivity was weak. Spikelet size and biomass characteristics are reliable discriminating characteristics for (sub)species classification. Intraspecies identification does not seem essential for optimisation of chemical control of E. crus‐galli and E. muricata in the field.     

Foliar absorption and translocation of nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron in five annual weed species

Ambrosia artemisüfolia L. (common ragweed) and Digitaria ischaemum Schreb. (smooth crabgrass) are not controlled by nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron at the highest recommended application rates, whereas Panicum miliaceum L. (wild proso millet), Amaranthus retroflexus L. (redroot pigweed) and Avena fatua L. (wild oat) are susceptible. The foliar absorption and translocation of ¹⁴C-nicosulfuron and ¹⁴C-rimsulf uron were studied in these weed species up to 48 h after treatment (HAT). Differences in herbicide uptake and translocation were not correlated with the species susceptibility. By 48 HAT, more than 50% of both herbicides remained on the treated leaf surface. Foliar absorption of rimsulfuron was greater than that of nicosulfuron in A. retroflexus, P. miliaceum and A. artemisüfolia. Most of the absorbed herbicide remained in the treated leaf of each weed species. Export of ¹⁴C–nicosulfuron ranged from 28 to 54% of that absorbed, in contrast to 15 to 39% for ¹⁴C–rimsulfuron. The absorption and translocation rates of both herbicides were highest within the initial 6 HAT, and decreased thereafter. Both herbicides showed approximately the same distribution pattern within each weed species.     

高粱田主要杂草对HPPD抑制剂类除草剂喹草酮的抗性

为明确高粱田主要杂草对HPPD抑制剂类除草剂喹草酮的抗性,采用整株生物测定法测定马唐Digitaria sanguinalis、稗Echinochloa crusgalli、狗尾草Setaria viridis、野稷Panicum miliaceum、反枝苋Amaranthus retroflexus和藜Chenbopodium alum六种主要杂草的敏感种群对喹草酮的敏感基线,同时测定全国不同生态区高粱田中这6种杂草对喹草酮的抗性水平。结果显示,喹草酮对野稷、稗、反枝苋和藜的防除效果较好,GR₅₀介于12.76～32.72 g (a.i.)/hm²之间,GR₉₀介于68.04～193.54 g (a.i.)/hm²之间,对马唐的防除效果略低,GR₅₀介于44.23～56.19 g (a.i.)/hm²之间,GR₉₀介于472.26～849.24g(a.i.)/hm²之间。采自全国不同生态区高粱田的马唐、稗、狗尾...     

UV-B radiation increases paraquat tolerance of two broad-leaved and two grass weeds in relation to changes in herbicide absorption and photosynthesis

Depletion of the protective ozone layer in the atmosphere leads to increasing UV‐B radiation on the earth's surface with potential effects on the response of plants to different stresses. Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Digitaria sanguinalis and Chloris virgata are common weeds encountered in most arable fields in China. The effectiveness of herbicides used in controlling these weeds needs to be evaluated with increased UV‐B radiation. Seedlings of these four weeds were therefore grown under ambient and elevated UV‐B radiation to compare the efficacy of paraquat, a commonly used contact herbicide. Irrespective of species sensitivity to radiation, the elevated UV‐B radiation decreased the effectiveness of paraquat. Net photosynthesis rate was adversely affected except for D. sanguinalis, while the chlorophyll content was significantly reduced in A. retroflexus and C. virgata. UV‐B treatment increased the leaf surface wax and decreased the absorption of ¹⁴C‐paraquat in A. theophrasti, D. sanguinalis and C. virgata. These results suggest that the response of weeds to paraquat or the use of the herbicide may be affected by increased UV‐B radiation, to the extent that larger doses may be required to achieve desired effects. This may have damaging consequences for the environment.     

Multiple herbicide‐resistant Lolium rigidum (annual ryegrass) now dominates across the Western Australian grain belt

Lolium rigidum (annual or rigid ryegrass) is a widespread annual weed in cropping systems of southern Australia, and herbicide resistance in L. rigidum is a common problem in this region. In 2010, a random survey was conducted across the grain belt of Western Australia to determine the frequency of herbicide‐resistant L. rigidum populations and to compare this with the results of previous surveys in 1998 and 2003. During the survey, 466 cropping fields were visited, with a total of 362 L. rigidum populations collected. Screening of these populations with the herbicides commonly used for control of L. rigidum revealed that resistance to the ACCase‐ and ALS‐inhibiting herbicides was common, with 96% of populations having plants resistant to the ACCase herbicide diclofop‐methyl and 98% having plants resistant to the ALS herbicide sulfometuron. Resistance to another ACCase herbicide, clethodim, is increasing, with 65% of populations now containing resistant plants. Resistance to other herbicide modes of action was significantly lower, with 27% of populations containing plants with resistance to the pre‐emergent herbicide trifluralin, and glyphosate, atrazine and paraquat providing good control of most of the populations screened in this survey. Ninety five per cent of L. rigidum populations contained plants with resistance to at least two herbicide modes of action. These results demonstrate that resistance levels have increased dramatically for the ACCase‐ and ALS‐inhibiting herbicides since the last survey in 2003 (>95% vs. 70–90%); therefore, the use of a wide range of integrated weed management options are required to sustain these cropping systems in the future.     

Differential sensitivity of Atriplex patula and Chenopodium album to sugar beet herbicides: a possible cause for the upsurge of A. patula in sugar beet fields

In the last decade, the prevalence of Atriplex patula as a weed in the Belgian sugar beet area has increased. Possible reasons for its expansion in sugar beet fields, besides a poor implementation of the low‐dose phenmedipham/activator/soil‐acting herbicide (FAR) system, might be low sensitivity or evolved resistance to one or more herbicides used in sugar beet. Dose – response pot bioassays were conducted in the glasshouse to evaluate the effectiveness of five foliar‐applied sugar beet herbicides (metamitron, phenmedipham, desmedipham, ethofumesate and triallate) and three pre‐plant‐incorporated herbicides (metamitron, lenacil, dimethenamid‐P) for controlling five Belgian A. patula populations. Local metamitron‐susceptible and metamitron‐resistant populations of Chenopodium album were used as reference populations. Effective dosages and resistance indices were calculated. DNA sequence analysis of the photosystem II psbA gene was performed on putative resistant A. patula populations. Overall, A. patula exhibited large intraspecific variation in herbicide sensitivity. In general, A. patula populations were less susceptible to phenmedipham, desmedipham, ethofumesate and triallate relative to C. album populations. Two A. patula populations bear the leucine‐218 to valine mutation on the chloroplast psbA gene conferring low level to high level cross‐resistance to the photosystem II inhibitors phenmedipham, desmedipham, metamitron and lenacil. In order to avoid insufficient A. patula control and further spread, seedlings should preferentially be treated with FAR mixtures containing higher‐than‐standard doses of metamitron and phenmedipham/desmedipham and no later than the cotyledon stage.     

Integrated management of Bromus diandrus in dryland cereal fields under no‐till

As herbicides have limited effect in controlling Bromus diandrus in no‐till dryland cereal fields, the integration of chemical and cultural methods needs to be investigated. A field study was carried out in Lleida (Spain) during 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, in a no‐till winter cereal field integrating delayed crop sowing with herbicides in a barley–wheat–wheat rotation. Three crop sowing dates were considered: D1, mid‐October; D2, mid‐November; and D3, early December, and the herbicides mesosulfuron‐methyl plus iodosulfuron‐methyl‐sodium were applied in wheat. Weed density, cumulative emergence and fecundity were estimated for each sowing date. In all three seasons, a significant reduction in the cumulative emergence of B. diandrus as compared to D1 was observed in D2 (82.0, 97.5 and 98.1%) and D3 (80.8, 98.7 and 97.2%). In addition, a significant decrease in weed density and seed rain was observed across all sowing dates and seasons. The herbicide used in wheat was more effective under delayed sowing, due to lower weed density and presence of less developed weed seedlings. After three seasons, the populations of B. diandrus were completely depleted in D2 and D3. This study demonstrates the possibility of eliminating brome infestations in dryland cereal fields in no‐till systems through the integration of cultural and chemical strategies.     

Multiple resistance of Papaver rhoeas L. to 2,4‐D and acetolactate synthase inhibitors in four European countries

The issue of cross‐ or multiple resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors and the auxinic herbicide 2,4‐D was investigated in Papaver rhoeas L., a common and troublesome weed in winter cereals, in a broad‐scale study across four European countries. A combination of herbicide sensitivity bioassays and molecular assays targeting mutations involved in resistance was conducted on 27 populations of P. rhoeas originating from Greece (9), Italy (5), France (10) and Spain (3). Plants resistant to the field rate of 2,4‐D were observed in 25 of the 27 populations assayed, in frequencies ranging from 5% to 85%. Plants resistant to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides (sulfonylureas) were present in 24 of the 27 populations, in frequencies ranging from 4% to 100%. Plants resistant to 2,4‐D co‐occurred with plants resistant to sulfonylureas in 23 populations. In four of these, the probability of presence of plants with cross‐ or multiple resistance to 2,4‐D and sulfonylureas was higher than 0.5. ALS genotyping of plants from the field populations or of their progenies, identified ALS alleles carrying a mutation at codon Pro197 or Trp574 in 2,4‐D‐sensitive and in 2,4‐D‐resistant plants. The latter case confirmed multiple resistance to 2,4‐D and ALS inhibitors at the level of individual plants in all four countries investigated. This study is the first to identify individual plants with multiple resistance in P. rhoeas, an attribute rarely assessed in other weed species, but one with significant implications in designing chemical control strategies.     

Differences in growth and herbicide sensitivity among Cyperus esculentus clones found in Belgian maize fields

Cyperus esculentus is an invasive troublesome neophyte in many arable crops in Belgium. Applied weed control varies from field to field. One of the possible reasons for this variability might be a differential vegetative and reproductive behaviour among Belgian C. esculentus clones. In this study, growth characteristics and herbicide sensitivity of C. esculentus clones collected in Belgian maize (Zea mays) fields were evaluated. In a morphology Experiment, 25 clones were screened for growth characteristics and ability to set viable seeds under outdoor conditions. Dose – response experiments were conducted in the glasshouse to evaluate the effectiveness of two foliar‐applied herbicides (bentazon and glyphosate) and two pre‐sowing soil‐incorporated herbicides (S‐metolachlor and dimethenamid‐P) for controlling 14 C. esculentus clones. Response variables were aboveground dry biomass, tuber number, tuber dry biomass and individual tuber dry weight. Clones exhibited large differences in shoot number (up to 3.1‐fold), tuber dry biomass (up to 4.7‐fold), tuber number (up to 3.4‐fold), individual tuber dry weight (up to 4.8‐fold), inflorescence number and capacity to set viable seeds. Large interclonal differences in herbicide sensitivity (up to 8.3‐ and 4.0‐fold for aboveground dry biomass and tuber dry biomass, respectively) were observed. Contrary to foliar‐applied herbicides, soil‐incorporated herbicides were very effective and provided season‐long C. esculentus control at doses below the recommended maximum field dose. However, low doses stimulated tuber formation. Future C. esculentus management strategies should take into account differential growth characteristics and herbicide sensitivity of C. esculentus clones.     

Establishment of Lolium species resistant to acetolactate synthase‐inhibiting herbicide in and around grain‐importation ports in Japan

Compared with natural seed dispersal, human‐mediated seed dispersal could spread herbicide resistance genes on a much larger scale. Herbicide‐resistant weed seeds have been reported as contaminants in commercial grain. We investigated the contamination of seeds of Lolium species with target‐site mutations conferring resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides in wheat imported from the USA, Canada and Australia into Japan. We also investigated the establishment of ALS‐inhibiting herbicide‐resistant Lolium species in 12 seaports in Japan that are major entry points for international commodities. We found herbicide‐resistant Lolium spp. seeds from all classes of wheat samples. Resistant individuals became established at six of eight ports where more than 50 kt of imported wheat is unloaded every year. The establishment of resistant Lolium spp. individuals was common at major grain landing ports. Monitoring over 3 years at one port revealed that the frequency of resistant individuals did not fluctuate between years. Many resistant individuals were distributed in front of the entrance of a fodder company, but a few resistant individuals were found in areas 2 km away from the port. The results indicate that gene flow is rare through pollen or seed movement from resistant plants to peripheral populations. Further extensive and long‐term monitoring is necessary to perform a comprehensive risk assessment of herbicide‐resistant plants entering Japan through major commercial ports.     

Genetic diversity within and between sulfonylurea‐resistant and susceptible populations of Schoenoplectus juncoides in Japan

To reveal the effects of herbicide selection on genetic diversity in the outcrossing weed species Schoenoplectus juncoides, six sulfonylurea‐resistant (SU‐R) and eight sulfonylurea‐susceptible (SU‐S) populations were analysed using 40 polymorphic inter‐simple sequence repeat loci. The plants were collected from three widely separated regions: the Tohoku, Kanto and Kyushu districts of Japan. Genetic diversity values (Nei's gene diversity, h) within each SU‐S population ranged from h = 0.125 to h = 0.235. The average genetic diversity within the SU‐S populations was H_S = 0.161, and the total genetic diversity was H_T = 0.271. Although the H_S of the SU‐R populations (0.051) was lower than that of the SU‐S populations, the H_T of the SU‐R populations (0.202) was comparable with that of the SU‐S populations. Most of the genetic variation was found within the region for both the SU‐S and SU‐R populations (88% of the genetic variation respectively). Two of the SU‐R populations showed relatively high genetic diversity (h = 0.117 and 0.161), which were comparable with those of the SU‐S populations. In contrast, the genetic diversity within four SU‐R populations was much lower (from h = 0 to 0.018) than in the SU‐S populations. The results suggest that selection by sulfonylurea herbicides has decreased genetic diversity within some SU‐R populations of S. juncoides. The different level of genetic diversity in the SU‐R populations is most likely due to different levels of inbreeding in the populations.     

Resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides in a population of waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) from Illinois, United States

BACKGROUND: A population of waterhemp in a seed maize production field in central Illinois, United States, was not adequately controlled after post‐emergence applications of herbicides that inhibit 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). RESULTS: Progeny from the field population survived following treatment with mesotrione, tembotrione or topramezone applied to the foliage either alone or in combination with atrazine in greenhouse experiments. Dose–response experiments indicated that the level of resistance to the HPPD inhibitor mesotrione is at least tenfold relative to sensitive biotypes. CONCLUSION: These studies confirm that waterhemp has evolved resistance to HPPD‐inhibiting herbicides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Glutathione Transferase Activities and Herbicide Selectivity in Maize and Associated Weed Species

The role of glutathione transferases (GSTs) in the selectivity of the herbicides alachlor, atrazine, fluorodifen and metolachlor, which are detoxified by glutathione conjugation in plants, was determined in seedlings of maize (Zeamays L.) and the associated weed species Abutilon theophrasti Medic., Digitariasanguinalis (L.) Scop. Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv., Panicum miliaceum (L.), Setaria faberi Herrm. and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. The availability of glutathione was also determined in all species and tissue concentrations were found to be in the range 120–160 μm for all species except D. sanguinalis and S. bicolor, which contained half this amount. GST activities toward the herbicides were determined in crude protein extracts from the plants using HPLC to quantify the biosynthesis of the herbicide conjugates. The specific activities of the GSTs toward the substrates were in the order alachlor>fluorodifen> atrazine>metolachlor in all species except A. theophrasti, where fluorodifen was a better substrate than alachlor. In most cases there was a good correlation between GST activities and the selectivity of the herbicides applied pre-emergence. In the case of atrazine, GST activities were also related to the relative rates of herbicide conjugation in vivo. In contrast, there was no simple relationship between glutathione availability and the selectivity of the herbicides. However, with alachlor there was evidence that glutathione availability was limiting GST activity and influencing tolerance.     

Increased foliar activity of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl by surfactants and their synergistic action on wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis)

Surfactants can improve postemergence herbicide efficacy and reduce the amount of herbicide required to obtain weed control. The effect of surfactants on the efficacy of herbicides is complicated and depends on the interaction among the plant, surfactant, and herbicide. The effects of surfactants on the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl on wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) under greenhouse conditions were investigated. In addition, the surface tension of aqueous solutions of the surfactants and surfactants + herbicides was determined. Significantly lower surface tension values were obtained with the aqueous solutions of citofrigate (Citogate plus Frigate) alone and with the herbicides used in this study. The citofrigate surfactant lead to the greatest enhancement of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl efficacy and the effect was species‐dependent. The efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl in the presence of surfactants in controlling wild oat was higher than for wild mustard. The foliar activity of the tested herbicides rose with increasing surfactant concentrations. The tank mixture of clodinafop‐propargyl and tribenuron‐methyl showed a synergistic effect in controlling wild oat and wild mustard. The synergistic effect in controlling wild mustard was greater than for wild oat.     

Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) control under drought stress with 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and glyphosate

Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) is a common and troublesome weed in cropping systems throughout the United States. With the potential for future periods of low rainfall or drought, the need for improved weed control under drought stress is necessary. Drought stress typically reduces herbicide efficacy by reducing the foliar uptake of herbicides and their translocation. The objectives of this research were to determine the efficacy of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) and glyphosate, applied alone or when tank‐mixed, on waterhemp under varying levels of drought stress, the effect of the timing of drought stress in relation to herbicide application and the absorption and translocation of each herbicide in drought‐stressed waterhemp. At reduced herbicide rates, 2,4‐D had a greater level of control of waterhemp under drought stress, compared to glyphosate. The level of herbicide efficacy was lower when the amount of water that was applied to the plants was reduced. The level of waterhemp control was greatest when drought stress occurred before the herbicide application and when the plants were watered to saturation after the application, compared to when drought stress occurred after the herbicide application or restricted watering levels occurred throughout the entire study. Glyphosate absorption and translocation were reduced in the drought‐stressed plants, but 2,4‐D absorption and translocation were not altered. The absence of a reduction in 2,4‐D translocation in the drought‐stressed weeds has not been previously reported. Applying herbicides prior to a rainfall event could increase the weed control level, even if the weed is stressed. Determining how and why 2,4‐D absorption and translocation levels, compared to those of glyphosate, are unaffected by drought stress in waterhemp can aid in improving the control of drought‐stressed weeds with other postemergence herbicides.     

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.     

Mechanisms of resistance to acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase‐inhibiting herbicides in a Hordeum leporinum population

A failure of acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicides to control a population of Hordeum leporinum Link (barleygrass) occurred following eight applications of these herbicides in both crops and pastures. This population was 7.6‐fold resistant to fluazifop‐P‐butyl compared with standard susceptible populations. The population was between 3.6‐ and 3.8‐fold resistant to other ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides, except butroxydim to which it was susceptible. ACCase extracted from resistant plants and assayed in the presence of herbicides in vitro was susceptible to fluazifop acid and other aryloxyphenoxypropanoate herbicides, but was 4‐fold less sensitive to sethoxydim compared with ACCase from susceptible plants. Resistant plants metabolised fluazifop acid about 1.3‐fold more rapidly compared with susceptible plants; however, sethoxydim was metabolised equally in both populations. Resistance to fluazifop‐P‐butyl and other aryloxyphenoxypropanoate herbicides may be the result of increased herbicide detoxification, whereas resistance to sethoxydim appears to be due to a modified target enzyme. Herbicide resistance in this population is unusual in that different mechanisms appear to confer resistance to the aryloxyphenoxypropanoate and cyclohexanedione herbicides. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Distribution of herbicide‐resistant acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase alleles in Lolium rigidum across grain cropping areas of South Australia

Resistance to the acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicides in Lolium rigidum is widespread in grain cropping areas of South Australia. To better understand the occurrence and spread of resistance to these herbicides and how it has changed with time, the carboxyl transferase (CT) domain of the ACCase gene from resistant L. rigidum plants, collected from both random surveys of the mid‐north of Southern Australia over 10 years as well as stratified surveys in individual fields, was sequenced and target site mutations characterised. Amino acid substitutions occurring as a consequence of these target site mutations, at seven positions in the ACCase gene previously correlated with herbicide resistance, were identified in c. 80% of resistant individuals, indicating target site mutation is a common mechanism of resistance in L. rigidum to this herbicide mode of action. Individuals containing multiple amino acid substitutions (two, and in two cases, three substitutions) were also found. Substitutions at position 2041 occurred at the highest frequency in all years of the large area survey, while substitutions at position 2078 were most common in the single farm analysis. This study has shown that target site mutations leading to amino acid substitutions in ACCase of L. rigidum are widespread across South Australia and that these mutations have likely evolved independently in different locations. The results indicate that seed movement, both within and between fields, may contribute to the spread of resistance in a single field. However, over a large area, the independent appearance and selection of target site mutations conferring resistance through herbicide use is the most important factor.     

Intraregional and inter‐regional variability of herbicide sensitivity in common arable weed populations

The question on intraregional versus inter‐regional variability in herbicide sensitivity for weed populations is of major importance, both in extrapolation of model parameters and in herbicide zonal approval procedures. We hypothesised that inter‐regional variability in herbicide sensitivity for field populations would be the same as intraregional variability for regions with similar climatic conditions. Seeds of field weed populations were collected in a Danish, German and Polish region. Herbicide sensitivity was tested in dose–response experiments in the glasshouse with flufenacet and iodosulfuron (Apera spica‐venti), florasulam and tribenuron (Tripleurospermum inodorum), diflufenican, diflufenican + flurtamone and pendimethalin (Viola arvensis). ED₅₀ values and variance components of the ED₅₀ values were estimated to describe the influence of region, year and population. The regions accounted for a maximum of 26% of the variance and always less than the variance accounted for by individual populations. Sensitivity indices (SI₅₀) were calculated as the ratio between ED₅₀ of the test population and a reference population. There was considerable intraregional variability in SI₅₀ values and SI₅₀ values from a single region did not consistently differ from other regions. The large intraregional variability in herbicide sensitivity between populations, with no evidence of resistance, is of interest both for zonal evaluation of herbicides and resistance research. For practical weed management, we conclude that dose–response functions can be transferred between the study regions, for example for the common use in decision support systems with proper insurance for the control of less sensitive populations.