Multiple resistance across glufosinate, glyphosate, paraquat and ACCase-inhibiting herbicides in an Eleusine indica population

An Eleusine indica population was previously reported as the first global case of field-evolved glufosinate resistance. This study re-examines glufosinate resistance and investigates multiple resistance to other herbicides in the population. Dose–response experiments with glufosinate showed that the resistant population is 5-fold and 14-fold resistant relative to the susceptible population, based on GR50 and LD50 R/S ratio respectively. The selected glufosinate-resistant subpopulation also displayed a high-level resistance to glyphosate, with the respective GR50 and LD50 R/S ratios being 12- and 144-fold. In addition, the subpopulation also displayed a level of resistance to paraquat and ACCase-inhibiting herbicides fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop-P-methyl and butroxydim. ACCase gene sequencing revealed that the Trp-2027-Cys mutation is likely responsible for resistance to the ACCase inhibitors examined. Here, we confirm glufosinate resistance and importantly, we find very high-level glyphosate resistance, as well as resistance to paraquat and ACCase-inhibiting herbicides. This is the first confirmed report of a weed species that evolved multiple resistance across all the three non-selective global herbicides, glufosinate, glyphosate and paraquat.

Weed Research, online