A population of oriental mustard from Port Broughton in South Australia was
reported as not being controlled by 2,4-D. Dose response experiments
determined this population was resistant to both 2,4-D and MCPA, requiring
greater than 20 times more herbicide for equivalent control compared to a
known susceptible population (from Roseworthy, South Australia) and a
population resistant only to the acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS)-inhibiting
herbicides (from Tumby Bay, South Australia). The Port Broughton population
was also found to be resistant to three chemical groups that inhibit AHAS;
however, the level of resistance was lower than the known acetolactate
synthase–resistant population from Tumby Bay. Herbicides from other modes of
action were able to control the Port Broughton population. Assays of
isolated AHAS from the Port Broughton population showed high levels of
resistance to the sulfonylurea and sulfonamide herbicide groups, but not to
the imidazolinone herbicides. A single nucleotide change in the AHAS gene
that predicted a Pro to Ser substitution at position 197 in the protein was
identified in the Port Broughton population. This population of oriental
mustard has evolved multiple resistance to AHAS-inhibiting herbicides (AHAS
inhibitors) and auxinic herbicides, through a mutation in AHAS and a second
nontarget-site mechanism. Whether the same mechanism provides resistance to
both AHAS inhibitors and auxinic herbicides remains to be determined.
Multiple resistance to auxinic herbicides and AHAS inhibitors in the Port
Broughton population will make control of this population more
difficult.