Seed dressing with mefenpyr-diethyl as a safener for mesosulfuron-methyl application in wheat: The evaluation and mechanisms.

Libing Yuan,Jian Li,Yaling Geng,Shanshan Song,Guangyuan Ma,Hua Wang,Wenliang Pan,Zhiying Hun,Xiaomin Liu,Vijay Gahlaut

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0256884

Abstract

Mesosulfuron-methyl is always applied by foliar spraying in combination with the safener mefenpyr-diethyl to avoid phytotoxicity on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. However, it was observed that the tolerance of Tausch's goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii Coss.) to mesosulfuron-methyl significantly increased in the presence of mefenpyr-diethyl by performing bioassay. This confirmed phenomenon may lead to overuse of mesosulfuron-methyl and weed resistance evolution in field conditions. Therefore, we tested the effect of wheat seed dressing with mefenpyr-diethyl as a possible alternative and disclosed the underlying mechanisms by herbicide dissipation study, enzymatic analysis and transcriptome profiling. The results suggest that increase of ALS activity, enhancement of metabolic processes, and other stress responses are crucial for the regulation of herbicide detoxification induced by mefenpyr-diethyl. Additionally, transcription factors such as AP2/ERF-ERF, bHLH, NAC, and MYB, and protein kinase such as RLK-Pelle_DLSV might play vital regulatory roles. The current study has important implications for mesosulfuron-methyl application in wheat field to control Tausch's goatgrass and provides a comprehensive understanding of the protective effect of mefenpyr-diethyl.

Highlights

Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii Coss.) is one of the most troublesome weeds in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields in China [1]
The results showed that the highest dose without significant growth inhibition was 2 g per kg seed (S1 Table)
Duhoux et al demonstrated a reduction in the sensitivity of rye-grass (Lolium sp.) to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting herbicides pyroxsulam and iodosulfuron + mesosulfuron induced by safeners cloquintocet-mexyl and mefenpyr-diethyl respectively [12]

Summary

Introduction

Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii Coss.) is one of the most troublesome weeds in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields in China [1]. It could cause 50–80% yield loss in wheat producing regions [2,3]. Most herbicides are poor in selectivity due to the similarity of Tausch’s goatgrass and wheat—Tausch’s goatgrass is the D-genome progenitor of hexaploid wheat and has parallel growth habits with wheat [4]. The sulfonylurea herbicide mesosulfuronmethyl is the most acceptable herbicide for controlling Tausch’s goatgrass in wheat field.

Methods

Results

Conclusion