Relationship between herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum and populations of Anguina funesta, the nematode vector in annual ryegrass toxicity

Abstract

Samples of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) seed tested for herbicide resistance were examined for seed-galls of Anguina funesta, the nematode vector of Clavihacter toxicus the causal bacterium in annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT). Of the 246 samples examined, 63% contained galls, with concentrations up to 1400 galls per 10 g of seed. Higher herbicide resistance was associated with increased concentrations of A. funesta. We conclude that use of selective herbicides for ARGT control may have contributed to the rapid development of herbicide resistance.