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The evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds has emerged as one of the most serious threats to sustainable food production systems, which necessitates the evaluation of herbicides to determine their efficacy. The first herbicide resistance case in the Iberian Peninsula was reported about 50 years ago, wherein Panicum dichotomiflorum was found to be resistant (R) to atrazine in Spanish maize fields. Since then, herbicide resistance has evolved in 33 weed species, representing a total of 77 single-herbicide-resistance cases in this geographic area: 66 in Spain and 11 in Portugal. Changes in agricultural practices, namely the adoption of non-tillage systems and the increased use of herbicides, led to the selection of weed biotypes resistant to a wide range of herbicides. Nowadays the most important crops in Spain and Portugal (maize, winter cereals, rice, citrus, fruits, and olive orchards) are affected, with biotypes resistant to several mechanisms of action (MoAs), namely: ALS inhibitors (20 species), ACCase inhibitors (8 species), PS II inhibitors (18 species), and synthetic auxin herbicides (3 species). More recently, the fast increase in cases of resistance to the EPSPS-inhibiting herbicide glyphosate has been remarkable, with 11 species already having evolved resistance in the last 10 years in the Iberian Peninsula. The diversity of resistance mechanisms, both target-site and non-target-site, are responsible for the resistance to different MoAs, involving point mutations in the target site and enhanced rates of herbicide detoxification, respectively. More serious are the 13 cases reported with multiple-herbicide resistance, with three cases of resistance to three–four MoAs, and one case of resistance to five MoAs. Future research perspectives should further study the relationship between management strategies and the occurrence of TSR and NTSR resistance, to improve their design, develop monitoring and diagnostic tools for herbicide resistance, and deepen the study of NTSR resistance

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the nematicidal effect of different glucosinolates and other secondary metabolites extracted from several plant species on the plant-parasitic nematodes Pratylenchus penetrans and Meloidogyne chitwoodi . Glucosinolate extracts from 16 species of genera Brassica , seven Lolium species and one species of Lupinus were used to investigate their nematicidal effect in vitro . From the tested extracts, the one obtained from Brassica juncea (oriental) showed the most promising results, controlling both nematode species. Lupinus sp. also showed positive results when tested against P. penetrans.

Asexual Epichloë spp. fungal endophytes have been extensively studied for their functional secondary metabolite production. Historically, research mostly focused on understanding toxicity of endophyte-derived compounds on grazing livestock. However, endophyte-derived compounds also provide protection against invertebrate pests, disease, and other environmental stresses, which is important for ensuring yield and persistence of pastures. A preliminary screen of 30 strains using an in vitro dual culture bioassay identified 18 endophyte strains with antifungal activity. The novel strains NEA12, NEA21, and NEA23 were selected for further investigation as they are also known to produce alkaloids associated with protection against insect pests. Antifungal activity of selected endophyte strains was confirmed against three grass pathogens, Ceratobasidium sp., Dreschlera sp., and Fusarium sp., using independent isolates in an in vitro bioassay. NEA21 and NEA23 showed potent activity against Ceratobasidium sp. and NEA12 showed moderate inhibition against all three pathogens. Crude extracts from liquid cultures of NEA12 and NEA23 also inhibited growth of the phytopathogens Ceratobasidium sp. and Fusarium sp. and provided evidence that the compounds of interest are stable, constitutively expressed, and secreted. Comparative analysis of the in vitro and in planta metabolome of NEA12 and NEA23 using LCMS profile data revealed individual metabolites unique to each strain that are present in vitro and in planta. These compounds are the best candidates for the differential bioactivity observed for each strain. Novel endophyte strains show promise for endophyte-mediated control of phytopathogens impacting Lolium spp. pasture production and animal welfare.

The evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds has emerged as one of the most serious threats to sustainable food production systems, which necessitates the evaluation of herbicides to determine their efficacy. The first herbicide resistance case in the Iberian Peninsula was reported about 50 years ago, wherein Panicum dichotomiflorum was found to be resistant (R) to atrazine in Spanish maize fields. Since then, herbicide resistance has evolved in 33 weed species, representing a total of 77 single-herbicide-resistance cases in this geographic area: 66 in Spain and 11 in Portugal. Changes in agricultural practices, namely the adoption of non-tillage systems and the increased use of herbicides, led to the selection of weed biotypes resistant to a wide range of herbicides. Nowadays the most important crops in Spain and Portugal (maize, winter cereals, rice, citrus, fruits, and olive orchards) are affected, with biotypes resistant to several mechanisms of action (MoAs), namely: ALS inhibitors (20 species), ACCase inhibitors (8 species), PS II inhibitors (18 species), and synthetic auxin herbicides (3 species). More recently, the fast increase in cases of resistance to the EPSPS-inhibiting herbicide glyphosate has been remarkable, with 11 species already having evolved resistance in the last 10 years in the Iberian Peninsula. The diversity of resistance mechanisms, both target-site and non-target-site, are responsible for the resistance to different MoAs, involving point mutations in the target site and enhanced rates of herbicide detoxification, respectively. More serious are the 13 cases reported with multiple-herbicide resistance, with three cases of resistance to three–four MoAs, and one case of resistance to five MoAs. Future research perspectives should further study the relationship between management strategies and the occurrence of TSR and NTSR resistance, to improve their design, develop monitoring and diagnostic tools for herbicide resistance, and deepen the study of NTSR resistance. Joel Torra acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (grant Ramon y Cajal RYC2018-023866-I).

This research aimed to evaluate the dry matter yield, structural composition and nutritive characteristics of diploid and tetraploid annual ryegrass cultivars on different phenological development to haymaking on lowland soils. The experimental design was developed based on randomized blocks with split plots, four cultivars of annual ryegrass (BRS Ponteio and FEPAGRO São Gabriel, diploid; INIA Escorpio and KLM 138, tetraploid), and three phenological crop phases (vegetative, pre-blossoming and blossoming). Were evaluated, dry matter yield, leaf:stem ratio, leaf weight ratio, tiller population density, specific leaf area, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. All data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey-Kramer test (p< 0,05). Highest forage mass is obtained with harvest in blossoming stage. Tetraploid cultivars present better leaf proportion and higher content of crude protein during vegetative stage. The decrease the in concentration of protein with the change of phenological stage is less evident on diploid cultivars. The vegetative stage enables harvest forage with high nutritional value, with lower production of biomass. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o rendimento de matéria seca, composição estrutural e características nutritivas de cultivares de azevém anual, diploides e tetraploides em diferentes estádios fenológicos, parafenação, em solos de várzea. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas divididas, com quatro cultivares de azevém anual (BRS Ponteio e FEPAGRO São Gabriel, diploides; INIA Escorpio e KLM 138, tetraploides) e três estádios fenológicos (vegetativo, pré-florescimento e florescimento). Foram avaliadas: rendimento de matéria seca, relação folha/colmo, razão de peso foliar, densidade populacional de perfilhos, área foliar específica, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste Tukey-Kramer (p

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the nematicidal effect of different glucosinolates and other secondary metabolites extracted from several plant species on the plant-parasitic nematodes Pratylenchus penetrans and Meloidogyne chitwoodi. Glucosinolate extracts from 16 species of genera Brassica, seven Lolium species and one species of Lupinus were used to investigate their nematicidal effect in vitro. From the tested extracts, the one obtained from Brassica juncea (oriental) showed the most promising results, controlling both nematode species. Lupinus sp. also showed positive results when tested against P. penetrans. RESUMEN El propósito de este estudio in vitro fue evaluar el efecto nematicida de diferentes glucosinolatos y otros metabolitos secundarios extraídos de varias especies de plantas, sobre los nemátodos Pratylenchus penetrans y Meloidogyne chitwoodi que afectan negativamente diversas plantas. Extractos de glucosinolatos provenientes de 16 especies del género Brassica, siete especies de Lolium y una especie de Lupinus fueron usados para investigar su efecto nematicida in vitro. De los extractos probados, el que proviene de Brassica juncea (oriental) mostró los resultados más promisorios para el control de las dos especies de nemátodos en estudio. Lupinus sp. también mostró resultados positivos para el control de P. penetrans.

Asexual Epichlo&euml, spp. fungal endophytes have been extensively studied for their functional secondary metabolite production. Historically, research mostly focused on understanding toxicity of endophyte-derived compounds on grazing livestock. However, endophyte-derived compounds also provide protection against invertebrate pests, disease, and other environmental stresses, which is important for ensuring yield and persistence of pastures. A preliminary screen of 30 strains using an in vitro dual culture bioassay identified 18 endophyte strains with antifungal activity. The novel strains NEA12, NEA21, and NEA23 were selected for further investigation as they are also known to produce alkaloids associated with protection against insect pests. Antifungal activity of selected endophyte strains was confirmed against three grass pathogens, Ceratobasidium sp., Dreschlera sp., and Fusarium sp., using independent isolates in an in vitro bioassay. NEA21 and NEA23 showed potent activity against Ceratobasidium sp. and NEA12 showed moderate inhibition against all three pathogens. Crude extracts from liquid cultures of NEA12 and NEA23 also inhibited growth of the phytopathogens Ceratobasidium sp. and Fusarium sp. and provided evidence that the compounds of interest are stable, constitutively expressed, and secreted. Comparative analysis of the in vitro and in planta metabolome of NEA12 and NEA23 using LCMS profile data revealed individual metabolites unique to each strain that are present in vitro and in planta. These compounds are the best candidates for the differential bioactivity observed for each strain. Novel endophyte strains show promise for endophyte-mediated control of phytopathogens impacting Lolium spp. pasture production and animal welfare.

RESUMO - Populacoes de azevem resistente aos inibidores da enzima ALS tem aumentado rapidamente nos campos cultivados. Para o manejo da resistencia, sao necessarios estudos de heranca da resistencia, os quais permitem entender a evolucao da resistencia, a estrutura genetica da populacao e a dinâmica de adaptacao dos biotipos resistentes. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar o tipo de heranca, o numero de genes envolvidos e o grau de resistencia dos biotipos de azevem, homozigotos e heterozigotos, resistentes ao iodosulfuron. A partir da selecao dos biotipos homozigoto resistente (R) e homozigoto suscetivel (S), foram realizados cruzamentos (R x S) para obtencao de plantas F1, e estas, cruzadas para obtencao da F2, e realizaram-se retrocruzamentos entre plantas F1 e os respectivos genitores masculinos e femininos resistentes (RCr) e sensiveis (RCs). As sementes F1, F2, RCr, RCs e dos genitores foram semeadas em bandejas e avaliadas, com aplicacao do iodosulfuron, quanto a sua suscetibilidade ou resistencia. Plantas F1 e dos genitores foram tratadas com doses crescentes do herbicida. A avaliacao de controle dessas plantas pelo iodosulfuron foi feito por meio de notas (0 a 100), referentes aos sintomas de intoxicacao e pela massa da materia seca da parte aerea acumulada. Os genitores masculino ou feminino transmitiram a caracteristica para a prole, sendo esta 100% resistente, indicando gene de resistencia dominante. A geracao F2 apresentou segregacao 3:1 resistente/suscetivel, confirmando a caracteristica de dominância. O teste de dominância das plantas F1 evidenciou que as plantas homozigotas resistentes e as heterozigotas apresentam grau de resistencia semelhante. Conclui-se que a resistencia do azevem ao iodosulfuron e codificada por gene dominante nuclear com dominância completa. Palavras-chave: Lolium spp., genetica, herbicida.

Multiple mechanisms of resistance to glyphosate are exhibited by populations of Lolium spp. worldwide. Association of resistance with growth and reproductive fitness is an important predictor for long-term success of glyphosate-resistant (R) versus glyphosate-susceptible (S) biotypes. Numerous studies were conducted on R- and S-biotypes of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) to characterize the underlying mechanism(s) of glyphosate resistance and associate this with growth and reproductive fitness. L. perenne expressed both altered uptake and translocation as well as a genetic change at 106-Pro to –Ser, This pattern for two resistance mechanisms is unique. L. multiflorum also exhibited altered uptake and translocation as well as duplication of EPSPS gene copies. Reduced plant biomass and height for R- versus S-biotypes of both species was evident over two growing seasons. This resulted in S- versus R- L. multiflorum producing up to 47 and 38% more seeds in 2014 and 2015, respectively. S- L. perenne produced up to 20 and 30% more seeds in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Both non-target site and target-site mechanisms of glyphosate resistance can render Lolium spp. at a competitive disadvantage. This has long-term implications for the success of glyphosate-resistant plants in the absence of selection pressure.

Multiple mechanisms of resistance to glyphosate are exhibited by populations of Lolium spp. worldwide. Association of resistance with growth and reproductive fitness is an important predictor for long-term success of glyphosate-resistant (R) versus glyphosate-susceptible (S) biotypes. Numerous studies were conducted on R- and S-biotypes of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) to characterize the underlying mechanism(s) of glyphosate resistance and associate this with growth and reproductive fitness. L. perenne expressed both altered uptake and translocation as well as a genetic change at 106-Pro to –Ser, This pattern for two resistance mechanisms is unique. L. multiflorum also exhibited altered uptake and translocation as well as duplication of EPSPS gene copies. Reduced plant biomass and height for R-versus S-biotypes of both species was evident over two growing seasons. This resulted in S- versus R- L. multiflorum producing up to 47 and 38% more seeds in 2014 and 2015, respectively. S- L. perenne produced up to 20 and 30% more seeds in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Both non-target site and target-site mechanisms of glyphosate resistance can render Lolium spp. at a competitive disadvantage. This has long-term implications for the success of glyphosate-resistant plants in the absence of selection pressure.

Populações de azevém resistente aos inibidores da enzima ALS têm aumentado rapidamente nos campos cultivados. Para o manejo da resistência, são necessários estudos de herança da resistência, os quais permitem entender a evolução da resistência, a estrutura genética da população e a dinâmica de adaptação dos biótipos resistentes. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar o tipo de herança, o número de genes envolvidos e o grau de resistência dos biótipos de azevém, homozigotos e heterozigotos, resistentes ao iodosulfuron. A partir da seleção dos biótipos homozigoto resistente (R) e homozigoto suscetível (S), foram realizados cruzamentos (R x S) para obtenção de plantas F1, e estas, cruzadas para obtenção da F2, e realizaram-se retrocruzamentos entre plantas F1 e os respectivos genitores masculinos e femininos resistentes (RCr) e sensíveis (RCs). As sementes F1, F2, RCr, RCs e dos genitores foram semeadas em bandejas e avaliadas, com aplicação do iodosulfuron, quanto à sua suscetibilidade ou resistência. Plantas F1 e dos genitores foram tratadas com doses crescentes do herbicida. A avaliação de controle dessas plantas pelo iodosulfuron foi feito por meio de notas (0 a 100), referentes aos sintomas de intoxicação e pela massa da matéria seca da parte aérea acumulada. Os genitores masculino ou feminino transmitiram a característica para a prole, sendo esta 100% resistente, indicando gene de resistência dominante. A geração F2 apresentou segregação 3:1 resistente/suscetível, confirmando a característica de dominância. O teste de dominância das plantas F1 evidenciou que as plantas homozigotas resistentes e as heterozigotas apresentam grau de resistência semelhante. Conclui-se que a resistência do azevém ao iodosulfuron é codificada por gene dominante nuclear com dominância completa. Ryegrass populations resistant to ALS enzyme inhibitors have increased rapidly in cultivated fields. For resistance management, are necessary resistance inheritance studies, which allow us to understand the evolution of resistance, the genetic structure of the population and the dynamic adaptation of resistant biotypes. This study aimed to identify the type of inheritance, the number of genes involved and the degree of resistance of ryegrass biotypes, homozygous and heterozygous resistant iodosulfuron. From the selection of resistant biotypes homozygous (R) and susceptible homozygous (S), crosses were performed (R x S) to obtain the F1 and these crossed to obtain F2, and backcross were held between F1 plants and their parents male and female resistant (RCr) and sensitive (Rcs). The F1 seed, F2, RCr, RCs and parents were sown in trays and evaluated, with application of iodosulfuron, as to their susceptibility or resistance. F1 plants and parents were treated with increasing doses of the herbicide. The control of these plants by iodosulfuron was made by way of notes (0 to 100), referring to the symptoms of intoxication and dry matter accumulated shoot. The male or female parents passed on the trait to offspring, which is 100% resistant, indicating dominant gene resistance. The F2 generation presented segregation 3:1 resistant/susceptible, confirming the dominance of feature. The F1 plants dominance test showed that the resistant homozygous plants and heterozygous present similar resistance level. We conclude that the ryegrass resistance to iodosulfuron is encoded by nuclear dominant gene with complete dominance.

Production of energy crops is promoted as a means to mitigate global warming by decreasing dependency on fossil energy. However, agricultural production of bioenergy can have various environmental effects depending on the crop and production system. In a field trial initiated in 2008, nitrate concentration in soil water was measured below winter wheat, grass-clover and willow during three growing seasons. Crop water balances were modelled to estimate the amount of nitrate leached per hectare. Additionally, dry matter yields and nitrogen (N) yields were measured, and N balances and energy balances were calculated.In willow, nitrate concentrations were up to approx. 20 mg L−1 nitrate-N during the establishment year but declined subsequently to less than 5 mg L−1 nitrate-N, resulting in an annual N leaching loss of 18, 3 and 0.3 kg ha−1 year−1 N in the first three years after planting, respectively. A similar trend was observed in grass-clover where concentrations stabilized at 2 to 4 mg L−1 nitrate-N from the beginning of the second growing season, corresponding to leaching of approximately 5 kg ha−1 year−1 N. In winter wheat, an annual N leaching loss of 36 to 68 kg ha−1 year−1 was observed. For comparison, nitrate leaching was also measured in an old willow crop established in 1996 from which N leaching ranged from 6 to 27 kg ha−1 year−1. Dry matter yields ranged between 5.9 and 14.8 Mg year−1 with lowest yield in the newly established willow and the highest yield harvested in grass-clover. Grass-clover gave the highest net energy yield of 244 GJ ha−1 year−1 whereas old willow, winter wheat and first rotation willow gave net energy yields of 235, 180 and 105 GJ ha−1 year−1. The study showed that perennial crops can provide high energy yields and significantly reduce N losses compared to annual crops. Production of energy crops is promoted as a means to mitigate global warming by decreasing dependency on fossil energy. However, agricultural production of bioenergy can have various environmental effects depending on the crop and production system. In a field trial initiated in 2008, nitrate concentration in soil water was measured below winter wheat, grass-clover and willow during three growing seasons. Crop water balances were modelled to estimate the amount of nitrate leached per hectare. In addition, dry matter yields and nitrogen (N) yields were measured, and N balances and energy balances were calculated. In willow, nitrate concentrations were up to approximately 20 mg l−1 nitrate-N during the establishment year, but declined subsequently to

Descrevem-se os dados epidemiológicos, sinais clínicos e lesões da intoxicação espontânea e experimental por nitrato e nitrito em bovinos alimentados com pastagens de Avena sativa (aveia) e/ou Lolium spp (azevém). A enfermidade ocorre em diferentes regiões do Estado de Santa Catarina, quando as pastagens tem crescimento exuberante, após receberem quantidades excessivas de adubo químico e/ou orgânico, principalmente quando ocorrem condições climáticas de seca e posteriormente chuva. Os animais em contato com essas pastagens desenvolvem rapidamente mucosas de coloração marrom, taquipnéia, andar cambaleante, micção frequente, timpanismo, decúbito lateral e morte em poucos minutos, ou recuperação algumas horas após. Na necropsia de quatro animais que adoeceram espontaneamente, as principais alterações encontradas foram a coloração marrom das mucosas, a cor escura do sangue (cor de chocolate) e a coloração vermelho intensa da musculatura esquelética e do miocárdio esquerdo. A reprodução experimental da doença foi realizada em sete bovinos, com pastagens de quatro propriedades onde ocorreu adoença. Aveia e/ou azevém verdes e sob a forma de feno foram administradas aos bovinos. Destes bovinos quatro morreram, dois adoeceram e se recuperam, um naturalmente e outro com a aplicação de azul de metileno a 1%, na dose de 2mg/kg/peso vivo, e um bovino não apresentou alterações. Os sinais clínicos observados e as lesões nos animais que adoeceram e morreram foram idênticos aos casos naturais. Alterações microscópicas não foram observadas nos casos naturais e experimentais. O teste da difenilamina nas amostras de pastagens onde ocorreram os surtos resultou positivo em todas as propriedades. A análise bromatológica realizada em amostras coletadas de várias propriedades em que ocorreram surtos revelou de 0,30 a 3,36% de nitrato na matéria seca. A enfermidade caracterizou-se principalmente por respiração ofegante, sangue de coloração escura, mucosas de coloração marrom e morte rápida dos bovinos e está relacionada á ingestão de pastagens de aveia e/ou azevém super adubados, que acumularam alto teor de nitrato, após um período de chuvas precedido de seca. Epidemiological data, clinical and pathological findings of the spontaneous andexperimental poisoning by nitrate and nitrite in cattle fed oats (Avena sativa) and/or ryegrass (Lolium spp.), diphenylamine test, and the nitrate content in the samples of the pasture where the outbreaks occurred, are described. The disease occurs in different regions of the State of Santa Catarina, in which pastures have exuberant growth, after receiving excessive amounts of chemical and/or organic fertilizer, mainly when raining occurs after a period of dry wheather. The animals grazing these pastures quickly develop brown mucosa, tachypnea, staggering gait, frequent urination, bloating, lateral recumbency and death in few minutes or hours. At necropsy of four animals that died spontaneously, the main lesions found were brown mucosa, dark color of the blood (chocolate), intense red color of the skeletal muscles and of the left part of the myocardium. The experimental reproduction of the disease was performed in seven cattle, with pastures from four farms where the disease occurred. The animals were fed with fresh oats and ryegrass and/or hay of it. Four animals died, two became ill and recovered, and one was treated with 2mg/kg per body weight of methylene blue 1%, and one cattle did not show changes. Clinical signs and lesions of the diseased animals that died were similar to natural cases. Microscopic changes were not observed in spontaneous and experimental poisoning. The diphenylamine test was positive in all the farms where the outbreaks occurred. The chemical analysis performed on samples of the pastures from several farms, in which outbreaks of the disease occurred, ranged from 0.30to 3.36% of nitrate in the dry matter. The disease is associated with the ingestion of oats and/or ryegrass pastures heavily fertilized, which accumulates high levels of nitrate after a period of rain and is characterized by rapid breathing, dark-colored blood, brown mucous and rapid death.

Background Genetic markers and linkage mapping are basic prerequisites for marker-assisted selection and map-based cloning. In the case of the key grassland species Lolium spp., numerous mapping populations have been developed and characterised for various traits. Although some genetic linkage maps of these populations have been aligned with each other using publicly available DNA markers, the number of common markers among genetic maps is still low, limiting the ability to compare candidate gene and QTL locations across germplasm. Results A set of 204 expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers has been assigned to map positions using eight different ryegrass mapping populations. Marker properties of a subset of 64 EST-SSRs were assessed in six to eight individuals of each mapping population and revealed 83% of the markers to be polymorphic in at least one population and an average number of alleles of 4.88. EST-SSR markers polymorphic in multiple populations served as anchor markers and allowed the construction of the first comprehensive consensus map for ryegrass. The integrated map was complemented with 97 SSRs from previously published linkage maps and finally contained 284 EST-derived and genomic SSR markers. The total map length was 742 centiMorgan (cM), ranging for individual chromosomes from 70 cM of linkage group (LG) 6 to 171 cM of LG 2. Conclusions The consensus linkage map for ryegrass based on eight mapping populations and constructed using a large set of publicly available Lolium EST-SSRs mapped for the first time together with previously mapped SSR markers will allow for consolidating existing mapping and QTL information in ryegrass. Map and markers presented here will prove to be an asset in the development for both molecular breeding of ryegrass as well as comparative genetics and genomics within grass species., BMC Plant Biology, 10, ISSN:1471-2229

Glyphosate is the world's most widely used herbicide, with many registrations in agricultural, urban and semi-natural environments. Glyphosate is an important tool especially for broad-spectrum weed control and inter-row vegetation management in perennial crops like olive and citrus groves, orchards and vineyards. Despite the frequent use in these crops, there are only a few confirmed cases of glyphosate resistant weed populations in Europe. The first reported European case dates back to 2004 and involved four populations of Conyza bonariensis found in southern Spanish olive groves. The glyphosate rates required to control resistant populations were 7 to 10 times higher than those needed to control the susceptible populations. In 2006 a resistant population of C. canadensis was reported in southern Spain while another one was claimed in the Czech Republic in 2007. The resistance in Czech Conyza is currently still under investigation. Recently glyphosate-resistant Lolium rigidum was found in French vineyards (2005 and 2007) and in Spanish citrus groves (2006), while resistant L. multiflorum was identified in Spanish olive groves (2006). New cases of resistant Lolium spp. are reported from Italian vineyards and olive groves. In all these cases Lolium plants were not controlled at recommended glyphosate field rates. Although glyphosate resistant weed populations in Europe are only a few, the sole reliance on glyphosate for weed control especially in perennial crops bears the risk of selecting more resistant populations. Resistance management should be based on principles of Good Agricultural Practices and Integrated Weed Management: - use the right rate at the right time; - apply glyphosate when the plants are more susceptible and the environmental conditions are favourable for its uptake; - integrate herbicides with different mode of action (e.g. a selective or residual herbicide) and mechanical weed control in the weed control program. The new EU legislation on plant protection products is likely to decrease the number of active ingredients and herbicidal mode of actions available for weed control and therefore introduces new challenges for managing weed resistance.