Shikimate accumulation in nine weedy species following glyphosate application

Abstract

SummaryGlyphosate is commonly used in a variety of weed control scenarios and plants respond biochemically by continuing to attempt to push carbon through the shikimate pathway. The result is an accumulation of shikimate in sensitive plants in the days immediately after application. This research determined shikimate accumulation dynamics in nine problematic plant species from 0 to 6 days after treatment (DAT). Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Trifolium repens and Conyza canadensis showed rising concentrations through 6 DAT to >4000 mg L−1. Chenopodium album, Xanthium strumarium and Urochloa platyphylla showed concentrations levelling off to a constant of about 2000 mg L−1. Ambrosia trifida, Amaranthus palmeri and Polygonum pensylvanicum generally showed lower levels of shikimate accumulation and concentrations were decreasing after 3 DAT. No apparent relationships were evident between shikimate accumulation pattern and plant growth rate or speed of glyphosate activity. There also appeared to be no pattern in the shikimate accumulation trends that would allow for an informed decision as to which of these species would be most likely to develop glyphosate resistance. Shikimate concentrations were in agreement between field and glasshouse conditions for C. canadensis, but did not agree with those from A. palmeri.