A yellow nutsedge biotype (Res) from an Arkansas rice field
has evolved resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides.
The Res biotype previously exhibited cross-resistance to
ALS inhibitors from four chemical families (imidazolinone, pyrimidinyl
benzoate, sulfonylurea, and triazolopyrimidine). Experiments were conducted
to evaluate alternative herbicides (i.e., glyphosate, bentazon, propanil,
quinclorac, and 2,4-D) currently labeled in Arkansas rice–soybean production
systems. Based on the percentage of aboveground dry weight reduction,
control of the yellow nutsedge biotypes with the labeled rate of bentazon,
propanil, quinclorac, and 2,4-D was < 44%. Glyphosate (867 g ae
ha−1) resulted in 68 and > 94% control of the
Res and susceptible yellow nutsedge biotypes,
respectively, at 28 d after treatment. Dose-response studies were conducted
to estimate the efficacy of glyphosate on the Res biotype,
three susceptible yellow nutsedge biotypes, and purple nutsedge. Based on
the dry weights, the Res biotype was ≥ 5- and ≥ 1.3-fold
less responsive to glyphosate compared to the susceptible biotypes and
purple nutsedge, respectively. Differences in absorption and translocation
of radiolabeled glyphosate were observed among the yellow nutsedge biotypes
and purple nutsedge. The susceptible biotype had less
14C-glyphosate radioactivity in the tissues above the treated
leaf and greater radioactivity in tissues below the treated leaf compared to
the Res biotype and purple nutsedge. Reduced translocation
of glyphosate in tissues below the treated leaf of the Res
biotype could be a reason for the lower glyphosate efficacy in the
Res biotype. No amino acid substitution that would
correspond to glyphosate resistance was found in the
5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene of the
Res biotype. However, an amino acid (serine) addition
was detected in the EPSPS gene of the Res biotype; albeit,
it is not believed that this addition contributes to lower efficacy of
glyphosate in this biotype.