Publications

An overall finding of this study of auxinic herbicide resistance, at least in Raphanus R populations, is that conclusions on mechanisms cannot be made from studying just a few R populations. There are very clear differences between and within resistant populations. This research is ongoing in an attempt to reveal the important mechanisms that can endow resistance to 2,4-D and dicamba in plants.

In this research, it was first established that Tridax, a global tropical weed species, evolved glyphosate resistance in the Ord River irrigation area in north-western Western Australia. This is the first report of glyphosate resistance in Tridax. The mechanism of glyphosate resistance was studied. Various possible resistance mechanisms were NOT responsible for resistance (EPSPS gene amplification, different glyphosate uptake or translocation). In this glyphosate-resistant Tridax population, the glyphosate resistance mechanism is a mutation in the EPSPS gene causing substitution at amino acid 102 (Thr-102-Ser).

Earlier papers by Gaines et al 2012 Weed Technology and Goh et al 2016 Pest Management Science, documented a glyphosate resistance Echinochloa population from the irrigated north-west Ord River irrigation region of Western Australia. AHRI PhD student Sou Sheng Goh studied this population for his PhD research. Among other studies, Goh completed excellent work to identify the mechanistic basis of glyphosate resistance in this Echinochloa population. Goh examined for but did not find EPSPS resistance gene mutations and/or EPSPS gene amplification. Thus Goh established that glyphosate resistance in this particular resistant biotype is NON-target site based.

This study shows that the resistance mechanism endowing pyroxasulfone resistance in this Lolium rigidum population is enhanced rates of pyroxasulfone metabolism. This enhanced rate of pyroxasulfone metabolism is associated with over-expression of two glutathione transferases. Thus, the resistance mechanism in this Lolium population of enhanced rates of pyroxasulfone metabolism suggests GST-catalysed increased rates of glutathione conjugation. More work is required for definitive evidence of specific responsible GSTs.

In an Australian Research Council funded Linkage project with Nufarm as the industry partner, AHRI researcher Danica Goggin combined a transcriptomic and biochemical approach to investigate the diversity of 2,4-D resistance mechanisms in 11 resistant populations of wild radish. All of these wild radish populations had a relatively high level of resistance to 2,4-D and dicamba, although there were differences between populations in the level of resistance.

In this modeling work, Gayle Somerville evaluated the value of HWSC in minimising the rate of herbicide resistance evolution. The modeling clearly showed the benefit of HWSC in minimising resistance evolution. There is a real benefit in having the diversity tactic of the non-chemical HWSC in minimising the rate of resistance evolution. HWSC reduces weed numbers over time and helps achieve greater sustainability and longevity of important herbicide resources.