Growth and Seed Return of Auxin-Type Herbicide Resistant Wild Mustard (Brassica kaber) in Wheat

Abstract

The growth and seed return of auxin herbicide resistant (R) wild mustard was compared to that of a susceptible (S) biotype in wheat in the field. In the absence of herbicide, the S biotype accumulated shoot dry matter more quickly than the R biotype throughout most of the growing season. However, in only one of the two years did the S biotype set substantially more seed than the R biotype (3120 versus 2520 seeds plant−1). The recommended dosage of 2,4-D for wild mustard control (420 g ai ha−1) killed all S plants in both years of the study, and severely inhibited growth and seed return of R plants. Shoot dry matter accumulation and seed return of treated R plants were reduced 75 to 90% compared to the untreated control. However, at a density of 20 plants m−2R seed return was still very high; 9000 and 5700 seeds m−2in 1992 and 1993, respectively. The recommended dosage of dicamba (300 g ha−1) did not inhibit the growth and seed return of either S or R wild mustard to the same extent as 2,4-D. Dicamba at 300 g ha−1reduced S shoot dry matter and seed return 80 to 90%, while R shoot dry matter and seed return was reduced 60 to 65%. The results of this study indicate a very high selection pressure for R wild mustard at recommended dosages of 2,4-D. Despite a high selection pressure, and considering the long history of phenoxy herbicide usage on the Prairies, the relatively rare occurrence of phenoxy herbicide resistant weeds implies that the frequency of resistant individuals is very low. From a mathematical model it was determined that the frequency of R wild mustard in an unselected population may be in the order of 10−30.