Glyphosate-resistant Cultivars Research Articles

Time-Series Monitoring of Transgenic Maize Seedlings Phenotyping Exhibiting Glyphosate Tolerance

Glyphosate is a widely used nonselective herbicide. Probing the glyphosate tolerance mechanism is necessary for the screening and development of resistant cultivars. In this study, a hyperspectral image was used to develop a more robust leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) prediction model based on different datasets to finally analyze the response of LCC to glyphosate-stress. Chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) was used to dynamically monitor the photosynthetic physiological response of transgenic glyphosate-resistant and wild glyphosate-sensitive maize seedlings and applying chemometrics methods to extract time-series features to screen resistant cultivars. Six days after glyphosate treatment, glyphosate-sensitive seedlings exhibited significant changes in leaf reflection and photosynthetic activity. By updating source domain and transfer component analysis, LCC prediction model performance was improved effectively (the coefficient of determination value increased from 0.65 to 0.84). Based on the predicted LCC and ChlF data, glyphosate-sensitive plants are too fragile to protect themselves from glyphosate stress, while glyphosate-resistant plants were able to maintain normal photosynthetic physiological activity. JIP-test parameters, φE0, VJ, ψE0, and M0, were used to indicate the degree of plant damage caused by glyphosate. This study constructed a transferable model for LCC monitoring to finally evaluate glyphosate tolerance in a time-series manner and verified the feasibility of ChlF in screening glyphosate-resistant cultivars.

Combination of spectral index and transfer learning strategy for glyphosate-resistant cultivar identification.

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used non-selective herbicides, and the creation of glyphosate-resistant cultivars solves the problem of limited spraying area. Therefore, it is of great significance to quickly identify resistant cultivars without destruction during the development of superior cultivars. This work took maize seedlings as the experimental object, and the spectral indices of leaves were calculated to construct a model with good robustness that could be used in different experiments. Compared with no transfer strategies, transferability of support vector machine learning model was improved by randomly selecting 14% of source domain from target domain to train and applying transfer component analysis algorithm, the accuracy on target domain reached 83% (increased by 71%), recall increased from 10 to 100%, and F1-score increased from 0.17 to 0.86. The overall results showed that both transfer component analysis algorithm and updating source domain could improve the transferability of model among experiments, and these two transfer strategies could complement each other’s advantages to achieve the best classification performance. Therefore, this work is beneficial to timely understanding of the physiological status of plants, identifying glyphosate resistant cultivars, and ultimately provides theoretical basis and technical support for new cultivar creation and high-throughput selection.

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean and corn in Brazil: past, present, and future

Glyphosate-Resistant Crops (GR crops) have caused considerable changes in weed management worldwide. In Brazil, GR cultivars of soybean and corn were officially introduced in the 2005/06 and 2011/12 crops, respectively. This technology has radically changed the weed management system, having an enormous impact on national agriculture. The objective of this review was to analyze the general aspects that led to the adoption of this technology in Brazil and present its future consequences and challenges. The adoption of GR soybean [...]

CONTROL OF GLYPHOSATE-RESISTANT VOLUNTEER MAIZE USING ACCase INHIBITING HERBICIDES

ABSTRACT Controlling volunteer plants was aggravated due to the emergence of genetically modified glyphosate-resistant cultivars, requiring new technical recommendations. This work was developed with the objective of evaluating alternatives for chemical control of glyphosate-resistant maize infesting soybean crops, using ACCase inhibiting herbicides. Two experiments were carried out, one in Santa Cruz das Palmeiras (SP) and other in Não-Me-Toque (RS), Brazil. Volunteer maize plants were simulated with seeds of the DKB 390 YGRR2 hybrids, distributed between rows of soybean crops, at the density of 6 plants m-2. Combinations of the herbicides clethodim (65 and 84 g ha-1), sethoxydim (138 and 165 g ha-1), and haloxyfop (36 and 45 g ha-1) were applied at two phenological stages of the soybean crop [three (3T) and six (6T) trifoliate leaves], corresponding to the V4/V5 and V7/V8 stages of the volunteer maize, respectively, resulting in 14 treatments. A treatment without herbicide application and a treatment with manual weeding were included as check plots. Applying graminicides on maize plants at V4/V5 stage resulted in more consistent results and general efficacy. Soybean yield was lower when applying herbicide only on maize plants at V7/V8, in both locations. Therefore, management practices for glyphosate-resistant volunteer maize should be adopted early, on maize plants at the V4/V5 stage, mainly when the maize plants are from lost grains in the harvesting process. The use of the herbicides clethodim and haloxyfop results in consistent control efficacy of volunteer maize plants.

Glyphosate effects on symbiotic nitrogen fixation in glyphosate-resistant soybean

Most soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars grown in the U.S. are Roundup Ready®, genetically modified for resistance to the herbicide glyphosate. The objectives of this study were to examine the impacts of glyphosate applications on symbiotic N2 fixation in glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean and to evaluate the responses of rhizobial isolates and nifH gene abundance in the rhizosphere soil to glyphosate. In two repeated greenhouse experiments, GR soybean received foliar applications of glyphosate once or twice during the study period; the untreated GR and near-isogenic conventional cultivar served as controls. Plants were harvested twice, two days after each glyphosate application. In addition to plant growth parameters, the nitrogenase activity of root nodules and the abundance of the nifH gene in the rhizosphere were determined using the acetylene reduction assay and quantitative PCR, respectively. Glyphosate-treated GR soybean had lower chlorophyll content, root mass, nodule mass, total plant N, and nitrogenase activity than the untreated conventional cultivar, especially for the second harvest. Without glyphosate application, few differences were observed between the two cultivars. Glyphosate inhibited the growth of rhizobia isolated from root nodules; however, the nifH gene abundance in the rhizosphere was not different among the treatments. Glyphosate appeared to exert stress to the GR soybean cultivar used in this study. Further research is needed to verify the greenhouse experiment findings and possible yield effects under field conditions.

제초제 저항성작물에서 잡초관리기술 동향 및 전망

This paper reviews current status of weed control practices in herbicide-resistant crops to examine weed management strategies in cope with cropping herbicide-resistant crops in the near future. Herbicide-resistant crops were rapidly adopted weed management technologies due to broad-spectrum weed control without crop injury. Transgenic glyphosate-resistant cultivars in soybean, corn, canola, and cotton were adopted to manage weeds at lower cost in a simplified weed management system. Dual stack crops with glyphosate and glufosinate resistance were developed to control glyphosate resistant weeds in corn, soybean and cotton. New multiple herbicide-resistant crops with resistance to glyphosate and glufosinate, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, synthetic auxin herbicides, 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors or acetyl Coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors will expended the utility of existing herbicide technologies to manage the evolution of resistant weeds. However, herbicide resistant crops alone cannot solve weed problems and thus studies on diverse weed managements using an array of alternating herbicides of mode of action, mechanical, and cultural practices are needed for integrated weed management systems in the future.

Influence of Soybean (Glycine max) Population and Herbicide Program on Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Control, Soybean Yield, and Economic Return

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats) has become one of the most prominent and difficult weeds to control in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in North Carolina. A survey was conducted in North Carolina during fall 2010 to estimate the magnitude of this problem. Palmer amaranth was present in 39% of 2,512 fields representing 0.24% of soybean ha in North Carolina. In recent years, growers have reduced soybean seeding rates in an effort to decrease production costs associated with technology fees. However, given the increase in prevalence of Palmer amaranth and the difficultly in controlling this weed due to herbicide resistance, growers may need to reconsider reductions in seeding rates. Therefore, research was conducted during 2010 and 2011 to determine if Palmer amaranth control, soybean yield, and economic return were affected by soybean plant population, preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides, and herbicide resistant traits (glufosinate-resistant and glyphosate-resistant cultivars). Applying PRE or POST herbicides and increasing soybean population increased Palmer amaranth control, soybean yield, and economic return when compared with POST herbicides only or when lower soybean populations were present. Efficacy of glufosinate and glyphosate did not vary in most instances, most likely because these herbicides were applied timely, and the frequency of glyphosate resistance did not exceed 10% in these fields.

Acúmulo de nutrientes e matéria seca na parte aérea de dois cultivares de soja RR sob efeito de formulações de glyphosate

O estudo da seletividade e dos efeitos secundários dos herbicidas nas culturas agrícolas é de extrema importância para o sucesso da agricultura. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito de formulações de glyphosate sobre o acúmulo de nutrientes e produção de matéria seca na parte aérea de dois cultivares de soja resistente ao glyphosate (RR). O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com seis repetições. Os tratamentos resultaram do arranjo fatorial entre formulações de glyphosate (Roundup Original®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup Transorb®, Roundup WG®, Roundup Ultra® e Zapp Qi®), mais uma testemunha e cultivares de soja RR (CD 225 RR e V Max RR). As aplicações dos herbicidas ocorreram quando as plantas se apresentavam no estádio V3, na dosagem de 960 g e.a. ha-1. O acúmulo de macronutrientes e micronutrientes e a produção de matéria seca na parte aérea das plantas sempre foram maiores no cultivar V Max RR em relação ao CD 225 RR. As formulações Roundup Ready® e Roundup Ultra® não proporcionaram redução no acúmulo de nutrientes e na produção de matéria seca na parte aérea dos cultivares. Por sua vez, Roundup Transorb®, Roundup Original® e Roundup WG® prejudicaram a nutrição dos cultivares e a produção de matéria seca. Conclui-se que o acúmulo de nutrientes e a produção de matéria seca na parte aérea de plantas de soja são alterados em função da aplicação de glyphosate, mesmo para cultivares RR.

Changes in the Prevalence of Weed Species in the Major Agronomic Crops of the Southern United States: 1994/1995 to 2008/2009

Changes in the weed flora of cropping systems reflect the impacts of factors that create safe sites for weed establishment and facilitate the influx and losses to and from the soil seedbank. This analysis of the annual surveys of the Southern Weed Science Society documents changes in the weed flora of the 14 contiguous southern states since the advent of transgenic, herbicide-resistant crops. In 1994 and 2009, the top five weeds in corn were morningglories, Texas millet, broadleaf signalgrass, johnsongrass, and sicklepod; in this same period Palmer amaranth, smartweeds, and goosegrass had the greatest increases in importance in corn. In cotton, morningglories and nutsedges were among the top five most troublesome weeds in 1995 and 2009. Palmer amaranth, pigweeds, and Florida pusley were also among the five most troublesome species in 2009; the weeds with the largest increases in importance in cotton were common ragweed and two species with tolerance to glyphosate, Benghal dayflower and Florida pusley. In soybean, morningglories, nutsedges, and sicklepod were among the top five weed species in 1995 and 2009. Two species with glyphosate resistance, Palmer amaranth and horseweed, were the second and fourth most troublesome weeds of soybean in 2009. In wheat, the top four weeds in 2008 were the same as those in 1994 and included Italian ryegrass, wild garlic, wild radish, and henbit. Crop production in the southern region is a mosaic of various crop rotations, soil types, and types of tillage. During the interval between the surveys, the predominant change in weed management practices in the region and the nation was the onset and rapid dominance of the use of glyphosate in herbicide-resistant cultivars of corn, cotton, and soybean. Because of the correspondence between the effects of glyphosate on the respective weed species and the observed changes in the weed flora of the crops, it is likely the very broad use of glyphosate was a key component shaping the changes in weed flora. Only eight of the top 15 most troublesome weeds of cotton and soybean, the crops with the greatest use of glyphosate, were the same in 1995 and 2009. In contrast, in corn and wheat where adoption of glyphosate-resistant cultivars lags or is absent, 12 of the 15 most troublesome weeds were the same in 1994 and 2008. These findings show on a regional scale that weeds adapt to recurrent selection from herbicides, currently the predominant weed management tool. Future research should seek methods to hinder the rapid spread of herbicide-tolerant and evolution of herbicide-resistant weed species. As new tools are developed, research should focus on ways to preserve the efficacy of those tools through improved stewardship.

Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth: A threat to conservation tillage

Conservation tillage reduces the physical movement of soil to the minimum required for crop establishment and production. When consistently practiced as a soil and crop management system, it greatly reduces soil erosion and is recognized for the potential to improve soil quality and water conservation and plant available water. Adoption of conservation tillage increased dramatically with the advent of transgenic, glyphosate-resistant crops that permitted in-season, over-the-top use of glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl] glycine), a broad-spectrum herbicide with very low mammalian toxicity and minimal potential for off-site movement in soil or water. Glyphosate-resistant crops are currently grown on approximately 70 million ha (173 million ac) worldwide. The United States has the most hectares (45 million ha [99 million ac]) of transgenic, glyphosate-resistant cultivars and the greatest number of hectares (46 million ha [114 million ac]) in conservation tillage. The practice of conservation tillage is now threatened by the emergence and rapid spread of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (<i>Amaranthus palmeri</i> [S.] Wats.), one of several amaranths commonly called pigweeds. First identified in Georgia, it now has been reported in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Another closely related dioecious amaranth, or pigweed, common waterhemp (<i>Amaranthus rudis</i> Sauer), has also developed resistance to glyphosate in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri. Hundreds of thousands of conservation tillage hectares, some currently under USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation program contracts, are at risk of being converted to higher-intensity tillage systems due to the inability to control these glyphosate-resistant <i>Amaranthus</i> species in conservation tillage systems using traditional technologies. The decline of conservation tillage is inevitable without the development and rapid adoption of integrated, effective weed control strategies. Traditional and alternative weed control strategies, such as the utilization of crop and herbicide rotation and integration of high residue cereal cover crops, are necessary in order to sustain conservation tillage practices.

Growth and root lignification of susceptible and glyphosate-resistant soybean

Glyphosate resistance is conferred to soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) by incorporating a gene encoding a glyphosate-insensitive enzyme (CP4-EPSP synthase) that acts in the shikimate/chorismate pathway, an important metabolic route in the lignification process. The aim of this work was to investigate the root growth and lignin contents of susceptible (CD 201 and OC 14) and glyphosate-resistant (CD 214RR and CD 213RR) soybean cultivars. To this end, three-day-old seedlings were cultivated in half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution (pH 6.0) in a growth chamber (25°C, 12-h photoperiod, irradiance of 280 &micro;mol m-2 s-1) for 24 to 96 hours. The results revealed that glyphosate-resistant (CD 213RR and CD 214RR) cultivars showed high root growth when compared to the conventional (OC-14 and CD 201) cultivars. CD 213RR showed high root lignin content and reduced root weight compared to the conventional (OC 14) cultivar, although CD 214RR and CD 201 did not follow the same trend. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that (1) the different form of EPSP synthase encoded in RR soybean may interfere in phenylpropanoid pathway and further in lignin biosynthesis, and (2) other genetic characteristics inherent to each cultivar may affect roots lignin content in soybean seedlings since lignification in CD 214 RR was not affected of similar manner than cultivar CD 213 RR.

Glyphosate and glyphosate-resistant crop interactions with rhizosphere microorganisms

Current crop production relies heavily on transgenic, glyphosate-resistant (GR) cultivars. Widespread cultivation of transgenic crops has received considerable attention. Impacts of glyphosate on rhizosphere microorganisms and activities are reviewed based on published and new data from long-term field projects documenting effects of glyphosate applied to GR soybean and maize. Field studies conducted in Missouri, U.S.A. during 1997–2007 assessed effects of glyphosate applied to GR soybean and maize on root colonization and soil populations of Fusarium and selected rhizosphere bacteria. Frequency of root-colonizing Fusarium increased significantly after glyphosate application during growing seasons in each year at all sites. Roots of GR soybean and maize treated with glyphosate were heavily colonized by Fusarium compared to non-GR or GR cultivars not treated with glyphosate. Microbial groups and functions affected by glyphosate included Mn transformation and plant availability; phytopathogen–antagonistic bacterial interactions; and reduction in nodulation. Root-exuded glyphosate may serve as a nutrient source for fungi and stimulate propagule germination. The specific microbial indicator groups and processes were sensitive to impacts of GR crops and are part of an evolving framework in developing polyphasic microbial analyses for complete assessment of GR technology that is more reliable than single techniques or general microbial assays.

Glyphosate reduces shoot concentrations of mineral nutrients in glyphosate-resistant soybeans

Although glyphosate-resistant (GR) technology is used in most countries producing soybeans (Glycine max L.), there are no particular fertilize recommendations for use of this technology, and not much has been reported on the influence of glyphosate on GR soybean nutrient status. An evaluation of different cultivar maturity groups on different soil types, revealed a significant decrease in macro and micronutrients in leaf tissues, and in photosynthetic parameters (chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, transpiration and stomatal conductance) with glyphosate use (single or sequential application). Irrespective of glyphosate applications, concentrations of shoot macro- and micronutrients were found lower in the near-isogenic GR-cultivars compared to their respective non-GR parental lines Shoot and root dry biomass were reduced by glyphosate with all GR cultivars evaluated in both soils. The lower biomass in GR soybeans compared to their isogenic normal lines probably represents additive effects from the decreased photosynthetic parameters as well as lower availability of nutrients in tissues of the glyphosate treated plants.

Using a Grower Survey to Assess the Benefits and Challenges of Glyphosate-Resistant Cropping Systems for Weed Management in U.S. Corn, Cotton, and Soybean

Over 175 growers in each of six states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, and North Carolina) were surveyed by telephone to assess their perceptions of the benefits of utilizing the glyphosate-resistant (GR) crop trait in corn, cotton, and soybean. The survey was also used to determine the weed management challenges growers were facing after using this trait for a minimum of 4 yr. This survey allowed the development of baseline information on how weed management and crop production practices have changed since the introduction of the trait. It provided useful information on common weed management issues that should be addressed through applied research and extension efforts. The survey also allowed an assessment of the perceived levels of concern among growers about glyphosate resistance in weeds and whether they believed they had experienced glyphosate resistance on their farms. Across the six states surveyed, producers reported 38, 97, and 96% of their corn, cotton, and soybean hectarage planted in a GR cultivar. The most widely adopted GR cropping system was a GR soybean/non-GR crop rotation system; second most common was a GR soybean/GR corn crop rotation system. The non-GR crop component varied widely, with the most common crops being non-GR corn or rice. A large range in farm size for the respondents was observed, with North Carolina having the smallest farms in all three crops. A large majority of corn and soybean growers reported using some type of crop rotation system, whereas very few cotton growers rotated out of cotton. Overall, rotations were much more common in Midwestern states than in Southern states. This is important information as weed scientists assist growers in developing and using best management practices to minimize the development of glyphosate resistance.

Influence of glyphosate, crop volunteer and root pathogens on glyphosate‐resistant wheat under controlled environmental conditions

The herbicide glyphosate has a synergistic effect on root disease because of increased susceptibility from reduced plant defenses resulting from the blockage of the shikimic acid pathway. Could glyphosate-resistant (GR) wheat cultivars and glyphosate application in-crop increase the risk of damage from soil-borne pathogens? Growth chamber experiments were conducted with two GR wheat lines and their corresponding glyphosate-sensitive (GS) parents and four pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn R. oryzae Ryker & Gooch, Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) v. Arx & J. Olivier var. tritici J. Walker and Pythium ultimum Trow). Treatments consisted of different herbicide timings and planting of crop volunteer to mimic management practices in the field. GR cultivars were not inherently more susceptible to root pathogens than GS cultivars, and application of glyphosate did not increase root disease. When crop volunteer was grown in close proximity to GR cultivars, the timing of glyphosate application had a profound effect. In general, the longer the crop volunteer was left before killing with glyphosate, the greater was the competitive effect on the planted crop. Both R. solani and G. graminis var. tritici reduced plant height, number of tillers and root length of the GR cultivars in the presence of crop volunteer with glyphosate application. To minimize the damaging effects of these pathogens, producers should apply glyphosate at least 2-3 weeks before planting GR wheat, as currently advised for GS cereals.

Biochemical responses of glyphosate resistant and susceptible soybean plants exposed to glyphosate

Glyphosate is a wide spectrum, non-selective, post-emergence herbicide. It acts on the shikimic acid pathway inhibiting 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), thus obstructing the synthesis of tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine and other secondary products, leading to plant death. Transgenic glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.)] expressing an glyphosate-insensitive EPSPS enzyme has provided new opportunities for weed control in soybean production. The effect of glyphosate application on chlorophyll level, lipid peroxidation, catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GOPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, soluble amino acid levels and protein profile, in leaves and roots, was examined in two conventional (non-GR) and two transgenic (GR) soybean. Glyphosate treatment had no significant impact on lipid peroxidation, whilst the chlorophyll content decreased in only one non-GR cultivar. However, there was a significant increase in the levels of soluble amino acid in roots and leaves, more so in non-GR than in GR soybean cultivars. Root CAT activity increased in non-GR cultivars and was not altered in GR cultivars. In leaves, CAT activity was inhibited in one non-GR and one GR cultivar. GOPX activity increased in one GR cultivar and in both non-GR cultivars. Root APX activity increased in one GR cultivar. The soluble protein profiles as assessed by 1-D gel electrophoresis of selected non-GR and GR soybean lines were unaffected by glyphosate treatment. Neither was formation of new isoenzymes of SOD and CAT observed when these lines were treated by glyphosate. The slight oxidative stress generated by glyphosate has no relevance to plant mortality. The potential antioxidant action of soluble amino acids may be responsible for the lack of lipid peroxidation observed. CAT activity in the roots and soluble amino acids in the leaves can be used as indicators of glyphosate resistance.

Mycotoxin occurrence and Aspergillus flavus soil propagules in a corn and cotton glyphosate-resistant cropping systems

The effects of cotton–corn rotation and glyphosate use on levels of soil-borne Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in corn and cotton seed were determined during 2002–2005 in Stoneville, Mississippi (USA). There were four rotation systems (continuous cotton, continuous corn, cotton–corn and corn–cotton) for both glyphosate-resistant (GR) and non-GR cultivars–herbicide system arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Aspergillus flavus populations in surface (5-cm depth) soil, sampled before planting (March/April), mid-season (June) and after harvest (September), ranged from 1.47 to 2.99 log (10) cfu g−1 soil in the four rotation systems. Propagules of A. flavus were higher in the continuous corn system compared to the continuous cotton system on three sample dates, and cotton rotated with corn decreased A. flavus propagules in three of nine sample dates. Propagules of A. flavus were significantly greater in plots with GR cultivars compared to non-GR cultivars in three samples. In cotton seed, aflatoxin and fumonisin levels were similar (≤4 µg kg−1 and non-detectable, respectively) regardless of rotation and glyphosate. In corn grain, aflatoxin was above the regulatory level (≥20 µg kg−1) only in GR cultivar in 2004 and 2005. Fumonisin was higher in non-GR cultivar (4 mg kg−1) regardless of rotation in 2004; however, in 2002, 2003 and 2005, aflatoxin and fumonisin levels were similar regardless of rotation and glyphosate. These results indicate the potential for increased aflatoxin and fumonisin levels (1 of 4 years) in corn; however, climatic conditions encountered during this study did not allow for mycotoxin production. In laboratory incubation studies, fairly high concentrations of glyphosate were required to inhibit A. flavus growth; however no short-term effect of soil treatment with glyphosate on A. flavus populations were observed. These data suggest that altered populations of A. flavus or higher aflatoxin concentrations in corn grain were due to indirect effects of the GR cropping system.

Evolution of Glyphosate-Resistant Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) in Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean

In Argentinean crop fields, weed control is mainly achieved by intense use of glyphosate as a nonselective and/or selective herbicide. Glyphosate use is very high as more than 95% of the 16 million ha soybean crop consists of glyphosate-resistant cultivars, always treated with this herbicide. From initial success, inconsistent glyphosate control of Johnsongrass, an invading C4 perennial grass of soybean crops, has become evident to producers from northern Argentina over the last 3 yr. Prior to this, glyphosate provided good control. This study evaluated the nature of these recurrent glyphosate failures in Johnsongrass. Experiments conducted with Johnsongrass plants obtained from seed and rhizome phytomers collected from fields with intense glyphosate use history showed that these populations showed differential survival and biomass productivity when glyphosate treated than Johnsongrass plants obtained from similar propagules collected from field sites with no history of glyphosate use. This empirical evidence establishes that the Johnsongrass survival in glyphosate-treated transgenic soybean fields from northern Argentina is due to evolved glyphosate resistance.

Consultant Perspectives on Weed Management Needs in Arkansas Cotton

Certified Crop Advisors of Arkansas and members of the Arkansas Crop Consultants Association were surveyed in Fall 2006 through direct mail to assess current weed management practices and needs in cotton from both a research and educational perspective. Consultants reported scouting 162,300 of the possible 473,700 ha of cotton grown in Arkansas. Collectively, glyphosate-resistant and enhanced glyphosate-resistant cultivars were reported grown on 98% of the cotton hectares. Ninety-five percent of the consultants believe the planting of enhanced glyphosate-resistant cultivars will increase over the next 5 yr. All consultants indicated a “moderate” to “high” level of concern with herbicide-resistant weeds in cotton, and 79% of the consultants suspect herbicide resistance in the fields they scout, predominately glyphosate-resistant horseweed. Horseweed, Palmer amaranth, and morningglories were the three most problematic weeds in cotton. A continued focus on resistant weed management was the most frequent research and educational request by consultants.Nomenclature: Horseweed, Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. ERICA, morningglories, Ipomoea spp, Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats AMAPA, cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L

Effect of tillage systems and herbicide treatments on weed abundance and diversity in a glyphosate resistant crop rotation

The effect of exclusive application of glyphosate and glyphosate in combination with residual herbicides on weed species density and composition in summer crops was studied over 2 years. Field experiments consisted of three rotations including soybean and maize glyphosate-resistant cultivars in two tillage systems. Regardless of the tillage system, both glyphosate application alone and in combination with residual herbicides had a pronounced impact on the reduction in density and richness of summer herbaceous annual weeds, but the effect was greater with glyphosate in combination with residual herbicides.