First report of target-site resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides in Bromus tectorum L.

Background

The prevalent and repeated use of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides for Bromus tectorum L. control in fine fescue (Festuca L. spp) grown for seed has selected ACCase-resistant B. tectorum populations. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the response of nine B. tectorum populations to the ACCase inhibitors clethodim, sethoxydim, fluazifop-P-butyl, and quizalofop-P-ethyl and the acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor sulfosulfuron and (2) characterize the resistance mechanisms.

Results

Bromus tectorum populations were confirmed to be resistant to the ACCase-inhibiting herbicides tested. The levels of resistance varied among the populations for clethodim (resistance ratio, RR = 5.1–14.5), sethoxydim (RR = 18.7–44.7), fluazifop-P-butyl (RR = 3.1–40.3), and quizalofop-P-ethyl (RR = 14.5–36). Molecular investigations revealed that the mutations Ile2041Thr and Gly2096Ala were the molecular basis of resistance to the ACCase-inhibiting herbicides. The Gly2096Ala mutation resulted in cross-resistance to the aryloxyphenoxypropionate (APP) herbicides fluazifop-P-butyl and quizalofop-P-ethyl, and the cyclohexanedione (CHD) herbicides clethodim, and sethoxydim, whereas Ile2041Thr mutation resulted in resistance only to the two APP herbicides. All B. tectorum populations were susceptible to sulfosulfuron (RR = 0.3–1.7).

Conclusions

This is the first report of target-site mutations conferring resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides in B. tectorum. The results of this study suggest multiple evolutionary origins of resistance and contribute to understanding the patterns of cross-resistance to ACCase inhibitors associated with different mutations in B. tectorum. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Lipophilicity of aminopyridazinone regioisomers

Ten pairs of pyridazinone regioisomers were prepared, and their lipophilicity was described by the logarithm of the octanol/water partition coefficient (log P) determined experimentally and calculated with prediction methods. The 4- and 5-(substituted amino)-3(2H)-pyridazinone regioisomers were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of one of the chloro atoms of 4,5-dichloro-2-methyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone or its 6-nitro derivative. Structures of new compounds were proven by spectroscopic methods. The experimental log P values were obtained by a shake flask method in octanol and a S?rensen buffer (pH 7.4) solvent system. A consequent difference was found in the lipophilicity of regioisomers. For each isomer pair, the log P value of the 4-isomer was significantly (average by 0.75 log unit) higher than that of the 5-isomer. Some quantum chemical calculations as well as X-ray analysis of two pairs of regioisomers were also carried out to gain insight into the structural differences of regioisomers. The log P values were calculated by the fragmental approach KOWWIN and a QSPR analysis (3DNET). The a priori KOWWIN gave poor agreement, but with the programs KOWWIN with EVA (experimental value adjusted) and 3DNET, the results were generally in agreement with experiment.     

Erarbeitung eines Testverfahrens zur Bestimmung der Protektiv- und Kurativleistung von Fungiziden bei der Bek?mpfung des Erregers der Stemphylium-Laubkrankheit Stemphylium botryosum in der Spargelkultur (Asparagus officinalis L.)

The foilage of Asparagus officinalis L. has a large contact surface for different leaf diseases, which can lead to profits cuts, especially by the causal pathogen of Stemphylium leaf spot, Stemphylium botryosum. The maintaining healthy of the foliage is an important precondition to achieve an optimal harvest in the following year. Therefore, it is necessary to describe the efficacy of currently approved plant protection products against S. botryosum in order to optimize the fungicide applications. In the context of greenhouse trials with asparagus seedlings a method should be developed to evaluate the preventive and curative efficacy of fungicides. At the beginning, stable, repeatable and homogeneous infections of S. botryosum needed to be achieved. Ad hoc the factors plant age (weeks after sowing date), inoculum (density of conidia per ml and concentration of malt), infection conditions (period of high relative humidity) and day of rating, as well as their influence on the occurrence of the symptoms, were investigated. With the exception of the factor plant age, the other factors had a significant effect on the infection. For the trials to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides, the analysed factors were defined. The age of the seedlings was six weeks after sowing, the inoculum was composed of 1,00?×?10⁵ conidia per ml combined with an 0,5% malt concentration, as infection condition the ??tunnel system?? with periodically high relative humidity was chosen. 13 days past infection was the optimal day of rating. To apply the seedlings with the fungicides, the registered application rate was reduced to 1/5. The trials to evaluate fungicides were conducted with the fungicides Signum^®, Rovral^® WG and two different testing agencies. At four consecutive application days, the plants were covered with fungicides. In the following, the infestation degree of stems in percent was evaluated. Additionally, the used S. botryosum-Isolates were biomolecularly investigated and the QoI- and SDHI resistance state determined.     

Adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf thin cell layers in apple

The present investigation was conducted to study organogenesis of a conventionally easy-to-regenerate (‘Royal Gala’) and a difficult-to-regenerate (‘Freedom’) apple cultivar using leaf transverse thin cell layers (tTCLs). The position of the leaf source, explant type and light regime applied to tTCLs were investigated as was their influence on the organogenic outcome. Light during the onset of regeneration delayed morphogenesis or, in ‘Freedom’, completely inhibited organogenesis on leaf tTCLs. Genotype and initial position of the leaf also influenced percentage regeneration and number of regenerated shoots per explant. This study demonstrates the successful application of leaf tTCLs for adventitious shoot regeneration in apple, even though further studies are needed to increase the number of shoots more than control explants. Shoot regeneration from apple leaf tTCLs serves as an alternative protocol for studying fundamental and applied aspects of regeneration.     

Interaction between the three frequently co‐occurring Fusarium mycotoxins in rats

To test the complex, acute biochemical effects of combined, naturally co‐occurring fusariotoxins, a 5‐day rat study was performed. Mycotoxin treatment was invented by intraperitoneal injection: FB₁ (F): 9 µg/animal/day (approx. 30 µg/kg bw/day), DON (D): 16.5 µg/animal/day (approx. 55 µg/kg bw/day) and ZEN (Z): 12.75 µg/animal/day (approx. 42.5 µg/kg bw/day). The binary groups (FB₁ and DON [FD], FB₁ and ZEN [FZ] and DON and ZEN [DZ]) as well as the ternary (FB₁, DON and ZEN [FDZ]) group were dosed at the same combined level as the individual mycotoxins. Body weight, feed intake and mortality were not affected by any of the treatments. FB₁ and DON in combination (FD) increased the plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity synergistically (compared to the individual FB₁ and DON). In the liver, both the total glutathione (GSH) and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were increased (p < 0.05) by the binary FB₁ and ZEN (FZ) and the DON and ZEN (DZ) groups as well as the ternary FB₁, DON and ZEA group (FDZ) compared to the control. The GSH level of the ternary group was significantly increased compared to the FB₁ group, whereas the GPx activity of the ternary group was significantly increased compared to all three the individual mycotoxin groups. The Bliss independence method revealed synergism between DON and ZEN (DZ), as well as FB₁ and DON (FD) on liver GPx activity. None of the toxins alone or in combination exerted strong genotoxicity on lymphocytes, neither on the gross histopathological characteristics. However, even at these low levels acute exposure of more than one of these mycotoxins (FB₁, DON and ZEN) affected metabolic and detoxification changes.     

Local extinctions of the wetland specialist Swertia perennis L. (Gentianaceae) in Switzerland: a revisitation study based on herbarium records

We studied population extinction of the locally abundant fen plant Swertia perennis in Switzerland and used up to 127-year old herbarium records to relocate 63 sites that had once hosted this species. We recorded current site characteristics and related them to the absence or abundance of populations. Fifty-four sites (86%) were still traditionally used (extensively mown or grazed). Fifteen populations (24%) had gone extinct. Extinction was more likely at lower altitude, in the peripheral distribution range of S. perennis (58% peripheral, 9% central populations extinct), on the smallest fens (75% extinct on fens <400 m²) and on fens with intensified land use. However, even on traditionally managed wetlands 18.5% of the populations had gone extinct. Moreover, 40% of all remaining populations were smaller than 250 flowering plants. We conclude that both intensified agricultural practice and habitat fragmentation contributed to local extinction of S. perennis. Small populations, especially, may not be able to persist in the long term.     

Elemental composition and phosphorus availability in hydrochars from seaweed and organic waste digestate

By hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of organic matter, hydrochars are produced which may be applied to soil for carbon sequestration. From substrates of wild seaweed and organic waste digestate, we measured the distribution of solids (hydrochars) and liquids after HTL at 150 and 200°C, 50?bar for 1?h. The output of liquids and solids was recorded. Elemental analysis was conducted for essential plant nutrients, potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and silicon in the hydrochars. Sequential extraction of phosphorous (P) was conducted to assess the P availability for plants. About 20% of the initial dry matter dissolved during HTL of digestate, and 55% for seaweed. More dry matter was dissolved by increased temperature. Except from arsenic in seaweed chars, the concentrations of PTEs were below quality compost thresholds. About 85% of P was recovered in chars for digestate. For seaweed, the recovery was 97% at 150°C, decreasing to 84% at 200°C. The solubility of P in chars decreased by HTL, and more with higher temperature. Reduced P availability, especially by higher temperature, is negative for the immediate fertilization effect. However, for soil sequestration of carbon, reduced P availability in hydrochars may expand the area where application may occur without negative environmental effects of eutrophication of water bodies.     

In-vitro study on the effect of pesticides on neuronal activity

Experiments have been conducted to examine the effect of chronic administration of bromoxynil, fluroxipir and bensultap on the in-vitro seizure susceptibility (induced by 4-aminopyridine) and excitability of neocortical slices of rat brain. The treatment regimes were (A) administration of spray solution in place of drinking water for seven days, and (B) feeding wheat which had been sprayed at growth stage Feekes 9–10 and consumed four to six weeks after spraying. The latency of appearance of the first seizure was significantly increased by fluroxipir (B) bensultap (B) and bromoxynil (A&B). Fluroxipir (A&B) decreased the frequency of seizure, and fluroxipir (A) and bensultap (B) doubled the duration of seizures. Excitability following electrical stimulation of the corpus callosum was not significantly changed by any treatments. The changes in brain activity were not related to the residue levels of the pesticides in the rat brains. Our results suggest that these chemicals may alter the functional properties of neuronal network activity and neurotransmission in rat neocortex after environmental exposure.     

LOW-FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF BEAGLE BRAIN WITH A DEDICATED RECEIVER COIL

A specially designed radio frequency receiver coil was used in a low-field-strength (0.1 T) magnetic resonance imager to improve the image quality of the Beagle brain. The aim was to obtain better distinction of anatomic details with a better signal-to-noise ratio in shorter imaging time. The spin-echo (TR/TE = 1200/100; TR is the repetition time and TE is the echo time in ms) brain images of three Beagles indicate that the new receiver coil can fulfill these goals.