Multiple Pro197ALS Substitutions Endow Resistance to ALS Inhibitors within and among Mayweed Chamomile Populations

Abstract

Mayweed chamomile seeds were collected from six different fields across the Pacific Northwest. All populations (each collection site was considered a population) were suspected to have some level of acetolactate synthase (ALS) resistance. Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to determine if these populations were resistant to three different classes of ALS inhibitors: sulfonylureas (SU), imidazolinones (IMI), and triazolopyrimidines (TP). A whole-plant dose–response andin vitroALS activity studies confirmed cross-resistance to thifensulfuron + tribenuron/chlorsulfuron (SU), imazethapyr (IMI), and cloransulam (TP); however, resistance varied by herbicide class and population. TwoALSisoforms of theALSgene (ALS1andALS2) were identified in mayweed chamomile; however, only mutations inALS1were responsible for resistance. No mutations were found inALS2. Sequence analysis of the partialALSgene identified four point mutations at position 197 (Pro197to Leu, Gln, Thr, or Ser) in the resistant populations. This study demonstrates genotypic variation associated with cross-resistance to ALS inhibitors within and between populations.