Non-target site resistance to PDS-inhibiting herbicides in a wild radish Raphanus raphanistrum population

The paper “Non-target site resistance to PDS-inhibiting herbicides in a wild radish Raphanus raphanistrum population” is the work of AHRI PhD student Huan Lu. The phytoene desaturase inhibiting herbicide diflufenican has been widely used in Australia (often in a mixture), especially targeted at wild radish Raphanus control. Consequently, resistance to PSD inhibiting herbicides is known and this work documents PDS herbicide resistance in a wild radish population.

Resistance is NOT target site PDS based in this particular population. Huan Lu sequenced the full-length PDS gene and found no resistance-endowing mutations, nor was there any amplification of the PDS gene.

Resistance to diflufenican could be reversed by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor malathion, providing indirect evidence that resistance in this particular population is due to enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism, likely P450 catalysed. Thus, the non-target site enhanced metabolism resistance in this important dicot weed species.