Search

Amino acid substitutions that confer herbicide-resistance may cause fitness costs in mutant plants at unfavorable levels in contrast to wild-species. The fitness costs in three Lolium rigidum populations (AH3 (Ile-2041-Asn) and BO2 (Ile-1781-Leu) as resistant (R) to clodinafop-propargyl, an ACCase (acetyl-CoAcarboxylase) inhibitor, carrying the mutations 1781 and 2041, respectively, and HF as susceptible (S)) were studied during 2014 and 2016. The germination rates and percentages of the three L. rigidum populations, and competition between them and Triticum aestivum using substitution series experiments were assessed. The BO2 and AH3 populations showed resistance to clodinafop-propargyl due to mutations in their ACCase genes. The germination rate for L. rigidum decreased as the sowing depth increased, with the lowest germination rate being found at 8 cm. AH3 and HF populations presented higher seed germination under water and NaCl salinity stress, but no fitness cost variations were observed among these R populations under optimal growth conditions. Diverse germination responses to light conditions were observed between the S and R L. rigidum populations. The highest germination percentage was observed in the HF population at the two-week lighting + two-week darkness regime. The comparison of relative yield total and relative crowding coefficient showed that T. aestivum was more competitive than L. rigidum. However, among ACCase-resistant L. rigidum populations, AH3 population was the most competitive presenting no fitness costs. This R population was more competitive than the S (HF) one under competitive conditions. These results show that fitness costs in the R L. rigidum populations vary according to the specific mutation at the ACCase gene that confers resistance to clodinafop-propargyl. In conclusion, mutations occurring at the 2041 position in the ACCase gene caused fitness costs, but those occurring at the 1781 position did not generate fitness costs for L. rigidum. Therefore, non-chemical methods should be considered unfavorable for resistant populations of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeated applications of the same herbicide(s), which are characterized by the same mode of action, increase selection pressure, which in turn favours the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds. Glufosinate is a broad-spectrum non-selective herbicide being used for weed control for many years around the world. Rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) is an economically important grass weed in Greece. Recent complaints by growers about control failure of rigid ryegrass with glufosinate require further investigation and have been the basis of this study. The objectives of this study were to confirm the existence of glufosinate-resistant L. rigidum in Greece and evaluate the effect of L. rigidum growth stage on glufosinate efficacy. Twenty populations of rigid ryegrass from Greece were sampled from five regions, and whole plant dose-response studies were conducted for five populations under controlled conditions with eight rates of glufosinate (0.0, 0.098, 0.187, 0.375, 0.75, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 kg a.i. ha-1). Glufosinate resistance was confirmed in three out of five populations with the level of resistance ranging from three-to seven-fold compared with the susceptible populations based on above-ground biomass reduction. Results also revealed that the level of glufosinate-resistance of rigid ryegrass was dependent on the growth stage at which it was applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers is a common and noxious worldwide weed of increasing distribution in many European countries. In the present review, information on the biology, ecology, agricultural, economic and environmental impact of johnsongrass is given, and the current status of this weed in Europe is discussed. Furthermore, special attention is given to the important role of field trials using glyphosate to control weeds in arable and perennial crops in many European countries. Some of the factors which affect control efficacy and should be taken into account are also discussed. Finally, several non-chemical alternative methods (cultural, mechanical, thermal, biological, etc.) for johnsongrass management are also presented. The adoption of integrated weed management (IWM) techniques such as glyphosate use, crop rotation, and deep tillage is strongly recommended to control plant species that originate from both seed and rhizomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]