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Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous species capable to develop on several cultivated and non-cultivated host plants, including weeds. On this basis, we evaluated the survival and development of S. frugiperda on leaves of hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis L.; Asteraceae) and slender amaranth (Amaranthus viridis L.; Amaranthaceae) in laboratory trials. Spodoptera frugiperda neonates were initially fed on leaves of non-Bt maize and then were transferred to hairy fleabane or slender amaranth leaves at different time points. On hairy fleabane leaves, only 12% of larvae in L5 and L6 stages developed into pupae and adults, with similar duration of immature stage of those developed in maize leaves. In contrast, S. frugiperda larvae from L1 to L6 stages developed into pupae on slender amaranth leaves, but only those from the L2 stage onwards originated adults (9–65%). On maize, > 64% of neonates developed to adulthood. Surviving larvae fed on early instars on slender amaranth leaves had up to 10 d longer developmental time of neonate-to-pupa and neonate-to-adult periods compared to those developed on maize. Pupal weights of surviving insects on slender amaranth leaves were also lower (104.9–67.4 mg/pupa) than on maize (207.4 mg/pupa). In summary, our findings indicate that the hairy fleabane is not a suitable host for S. frugiperda, whereas slender amaranth is a viable food source for the survival end development of this species, mainly for advanced instars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conyza bonariensis L. (hairy fleabane) is a significant weed in production systems, especially due to its evolving resistance to various herbicides. In Uruguay, control failures of C. bonariensis have been reported following the use of glyphosate and ALS inhibitors. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of the multiple and cross-resistance of C. bonariensis to glyphosate, chlorimuron, and diclosulam, and to assess the efficacy of alternative herbicides against these resistant biotypes. Seeds were collected from sites where plants had survived herbicide applications during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons. Following initial screenings, biotypes were selected to establish independent dose–response curves for glyphosate, diclosulam, and chlorimuron. For each herbicide, four biotypes of C. bonariensis were tested: one susceptible (S), two putatively moderately resistant (MR) biotypes, and one putatively highly resistant (R) biotype. In each assay, eight herbicide doses were used (1/32; 1/16; 1/8; 1/2; 1; 2; and 4X for S and MR biotypes, and 1/8; 1/2; 1; 2; 4; 8; and 16X for R biotypes) based on the recommended dose (1x) for each herbicide, with four repetitions per treatment. Each assay was completely replicated twice. Resistance was confirmed through testing in two plant generations (G1 and G2). The findings reveal high levels of multiple and cross-resistance in C. bonariensis to glyphosate, diclosulam, and chlorimuron. In general, herbicides with alternative action mechanisms effectively controlled C. bonariensis exhibiting multiple and cross-resistance. This study confirms the first case of C. bonariensis cross-resistance to diclosulam and chlorimuron, and the first occurrence of multiple and cross-resistance to glyphosate, diclosulam, and chlorimuron in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conyza bonariensis L. (hairy fleabane) is a significant weed in production systems, especially due to its evolving resistance to various herbicides. In Uruguay, control failures of C. bonariensis have been reported following the use of glyphosate and ALS inhibitors. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of the multiple and cross-resistance of C. bonariensis to glyphosate, chlorimuron, and diclosulam, and to assess the efficacy of alternative herbicides against these resistant biotypes. Seeds were collected from sites where plants had survived herbicide applications during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons. Following initial screenings, biotypes were selected to establish independent dose–response curves for glyphosate, diclosulam, and chlorimuron. For each herbicide, four biotypes of C. bonariensis were tested: one susceptible (S), two putatively moderately resistant (MR) biotypes, and one putatively highly resistant (R) biotype. In each assay, eight herbicide doses were used (1/32; 1/16; 1/8; 1/2; 1; 2; and 4X for S and MR biotypes, and 1/8; 1/2; 1; 2; 4; 8; and 16X for R biotypes) based on the recommended dose (1x) for each herbicide, with four repetitions per treatment. Each assay was completely replicated twice. Resistance was confirmed through testing in two plant generations (G1 and G2). The findings reveal high levels of multiple and cross-resistance in C. bonariensis to glyphosate, diclosulam, and chlorimuron. In general, herbicides with alternative action mechanisms effectively controlled C. bonariensis exhibiting multiple and cross-resistance. This study confirms the first case of C. bonariensis cross-resistance to diclosulam and chlorimuron, and the first occurrence of multiple and cross-resistance to glyphosate, diclosulam, and chlorimuron in this species.

Conyza spp. are among the most problematic broadleaf weeds in citrus orchards and grape fields in Turkey. Glyphosate is used to control weeds, but Conyza spp. can escape the treatment and grow as a monoculture in these fields. To investigate whether glyphosate-resistant biotypes of Conyza spp. exist in Turkey, seeds of Conyza spp. were collected from 131 citrus fields and 121 vineyards with heavy Conyza infestations in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of the country. Seeds were classified by species, and initial susceptibility screenings were conducted by applying glyphosate potassium salt at 1.323 kg a.i. ha−1 to seedlings at the five- to six-leaf stage. Forty-five biotypes showed less than 80% susceptibility in the screenings and were subsequently used in dose–response experiments. Assays were also conducted to measure shikimic acid accumulation in resistant and susceptible biotypes after glyphosate treatment, and molecular studies were undertaken to investigate the mechanism of resistance. Among 252 populations collected from fields, 32 biotypes showed resistance to glyphosate. Molecular studies showed that target site mechanisms including mutations or expression of the EPSPS gene did not contribute to the mechanism of glyphosate resistance in Conyza biotypes from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Conyza species are important weeds in global agriculture, especially due to their capacity to evolve resistance to multiple herbicide mechanisms of action. We aimed to evaluate the frequency and distribution of resistance to glyphosate and chlorimuron-ethyl in Conyza spp. populations from Brazil. Seed samples were collected from grain production areas across nine Brazilian states over five consecutive years (2014 to 2018). Prior to resistance monitoring trials, dose-response assays were conducted to determine a single dose of glyphosate or chlorimuron-ethyl to discriminate resistant and susceptible populations. Resistance monitoring based on plant responses to the application of discriminatory doses of glyphosate (960 g ha-1) or chlorimuron-ethyl (20 g ha-1). Populations were classified as resistant, moderately resistant, or susceptible to either herbicide. While glyphosate resistance was highly frequent (71.2%) in all the five years, chlorimuron-ethyl resistant populations occurred at 39.8% of the total. The frequency of multiple resistance to both herbicides (35.3%) was proportional to the occurrence of chlorimuron-ethyl resistance (39.6%). Resistance to glyphosate and to chlorimuron-ethyl were found across all states evaluated.

ABSTRACT: The hairy fleabane ( Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq.) is among the most problematic glyphosate-resistant weeds to manage around the world. In weed science, molecular approaches such as RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) have been employed to study molecular responses to glyphosate treatment in Conyza species. Glyphosate treatment leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in plants which could damage the RNA. Degraded RNA is an issue and can compromise further molecular analysis. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether glyphosate treatment interferes negatively on RNA integrity of glyphosate-resistant and -sensitive hairy fleabane biotypes. Two experiments were performed using glyphosate doses from 0 to 11,840 g a.e. ha-1 and evaluated in a time-course until 288 hours after treatment. The total of 86 RNA samples were evaluated. The RNA integrity was evaluated in a Bioanalyzer 2100 equipment according to RNA integrity number (RIN) scores and electrophoresis gel. The RIN scores ranged from 5.1 to 9.0. Glyphosate doses do not reduce the RIN scores in both glyphosate-resistant and -sensitive biotypes of hairy fleabane. Visual and automatic analysis of electrophoresis gel show suitable results for all RNA samples, with well-defined bands at 28S and 18S positions and no degradation. The results of the analysis indicate that glyphosate treatment does not affect the RNA integrity of glyphosate-resistant and -sensitive biotypes of hairy fleabane until 288 and 192 hours after glyphosate treatment, respectively. The RNA integrity analysis provides useful results to evaluate the RNA condition for further analysis. However, the costs were around US$ 14.25 per sample, considering only reagents. These results are useful for planning future time-course experiments in Conyza spp. after glyphosate treatment.

Conyza bonariensis is one of the most problematic weed species throughout the world. It is considered highly noxious due to its interference with human activities, and especially the competition it poses with economically important crops. This research investigated the temperature requirements for seed germination of four populations of C. bonariensis with distinct origin and the influence of daily alternating temperatures. For this, a set of germination tests were performed in growth chambers to explore the effect of constant and alternating temperatures. Seeds of the four populations (from Lleida, Badajoz and Seville, Spain and Bahía Blanca, Argentina) were maintained at constant temperatures ranging from 5 to 35°C. The final germination and cardinal temperatures (base, optimum and maximum) of each population were obtained. We also tested the influence of daily alternating temperatures on final germination. To do so, seeds were exposed to two temperature regimes: 5/15, 10/20, 15/25, 20/30 and 25/35°C night/day temperature (intervals increasing 5°C, with constant oscillation of 10°C) and to 18/22, 16/24, 14/26, 12/28 and 10/30°C night/day temperature (intervals with average of 20°C, but increasing the oscillation in 4°C between intervals). In general, all populations behaved similarly, with the highest germination percentages occurring in the optimum temperature range (between 21.7°C and 22.3°C) for both constant and alternating temperatures. In general, climatic origin affected germination response, where seeds obtained from the coldest origin exhibited the highest germination percentage at the lowest temperature assayed. In addition, we observed that the alternating temperatures can positively affect total germination, especially in oscillations that were further from the average optimum temperature (20°C), with high germination percentage for the oscillations of 15/25, 20/30, 18/22, 16/24, 14/26, 12/28 and 10/30°C in all populations. The cardinal temperatures obtained were significantly different across the populations. These results provide information that will facilitate a better understanding of the behaviour of Conyza and improve current field emergence models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, growers and pest consultants have reported poor control of the weed hairy fleabane in some areas of the Central Valley. Hairy fleabane seeds were collected from Esparto, Fresno and Reedley, Calif., and greenhouse-grown seedlings were treated at several different glyphosate rates and compared with an untreated control. None of the Esparto or Fresno plants survived glyphosate rates greater than 0.78 pounds acid equivalent per acre (lb ae/ac), while some of the plants from Reedley survived even the highest rate of glyphosate tested (12.4 lb ae/ac). The dose required to reduce plant dry weights by 50% (GR50) of the Esparto plants ranged from 0.28 to 0.30 lb ae/ac, whereas the GR50 of the Fresno and Reedley plants ranged from 0.26 to 0.61 and 0.92 to 2.88 lb ae/ac, respectively. This study showed that the hairy fleabane plants from Reedley were much more tolerant of glyphosate than either of the other two biotypes and, based on the GR50, the level of resistance ranged from 3- to 10-fold greater.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and development of a glyphosate-resistant population of Conyza bonariensis in different sowing dates (autumn, winter, and spring) and in two agricultural environments, based on days or thermal units. Five experiments were performed in two agricultural environments in Brazil: two in the municipality of Não-Me-Toque, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul - with sowings in July and September 2011; and three in the municipality of Santa Cruz das Palmeiras, in the state of São Paulo ‒ with sowings in April, July, and September 2011. In each trial, ten evaluations of the phenological development and total dry mass of C.bonariensis were performed, fitting these variables to a unit of time in days or growing degree days. The phenological development of C.bonariensis had the best adjustment at the base temperature of 8.4oC, and was affected by sowing date and agricultural environment. In autumn, with decreasing temperature and photoperiod, plants are still able to accumulate dry mass, but without floral induction. In spring, with increasing temperature and photoperiod, dry mass accumulation is lower, but phenological development is faster, with significant floral induction.

Conyza bonariensis is an invasive weed of increasing importance in subtropical and warm-temperate regions worldwide, both in non-agricultural habitats and in annual and perennial crops, especially under no-till management. To gain insigths on basic life cycle processes determining the demographic success of C. bonariensis, we studied for this species during two seasons seedling emergence patterns, survival to the adult stage and fecundity in a ruderal Mediterranean habitat in which C. bonariensis was a component of the plant community. The influence of emergence date on survival and fecundity was studied using four successive sowing dates, i.e. cohorts, encompassing the favorable season for plant establishment. The mean rate of seedling emergence was 61%. Emergence patterns were characterized by high initial emergence rates, which were highly dependent on rainfall. The mean rate of survival to the adult stage was 33%. Fecundity reached a mean value of 86,066 achenes and presented density-dependent regulation.. Plant survival and fecundity were positively related to cohort earliness and thus earlier cohorts should preferably be targeted for an effective management of C. bonariensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine changes in gas exchange and inhibition of EPSPs, based on the accumulation of shikimic acid in horseweed biotypes resistant and sensitive to glyphosate. Two experiments were conducted in a factorial model. The first one evaluated horseweed biotypes (one resistant and one susceptible to glyphosate), and herbicide rates (0 and 1,080 g a.e. ha ¹) applied on the weed. In the second experiment, the horseweed biotypes (susceptible and resistant to glyphosate) were evaluated in five periods as following: 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days after herbicide application (DAH). The photosynthetic rate, transpiration, carboxylation efficiency, and water efficiency were determined using an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA), and shikimic acid concentration by HPLC. The application of glyphosate damaged the photosynthetic parameters of the susceptible biotype, causing complete inhibition of the photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, carboxylation efficiency and water use efficiency, starting from the 7 DAH. On the other hand, total inhibition of the photosynthetic parameters was not observed for the resistant biotype. Shikimic acid accumulation occurred in both biotypes after glyphosate application but the susceptible biotype had the highest concentrations, indicating greater sensitivity of the enzyme EPSPs. The accumulation of shikimic acid in the resistant biotype indicates that the mechanism of resistance is not related to the total insensitivity of the enzyme EPSPs to glyphosate and/or that other resistance mechanisms may be involved.

Conyza bonariensis (hairy fleabane) is one of the most problematic and widespread glyphosate-resistant weeds in the world. This highly competitive weed species significantly interferes with crop growth and substantially decreases crop yield. Despite its agricultural importance, the molecular mechanisms of glyphosate resistance are still unknown. The present RNA-Seq study was performed with the goal of identifying differentially expressed candidate transcripts (genes) related to metabolism-based non-target site glyphosate resistance in C. bonariensis. The whole-transcriptome was de novo assembled from glyphosate-resistant and -sensitive biotypes of C. bonariensis from Southern Brazil. The RNA was extracted from untreated and glyphosate-treated plants at several timepoints up to 288 h after treatment in both biotypes. The transcriptome assembly produced 90,124 contigs with an average length of 777 bp and N50 of 1118 bp. In response to glyphosate treatment, differential gene expression analysis was performed on glyphosate-resistant and -sensitive biotypes. A total of 9622 genes were differentially expressed as a response to glyphosate treatment in both biotypes, 4297 (44.6%) being up- and 5325 (55.4%) down-regulated. The resistant biotype presented 1770 up- and 2333 down-regulated genes while the sensitive biotype had 2335 and 2800 up- and down-regulated genes, respectively. Among them, 974 up- and 1290 down-regulated genes were co-expressed in both biotypes. In the present work, we identified 41 new candidate target genes from five families related to herbicide transport and metabolism: 19 ABC transporters, 10 CYP450s, one glutathione S-transferase (GST), five glycosyltransferases (GT), and six genes related to antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The candidate genes may participate in metabolic-based glyphosate resistance via oxidation, conjugation, transport, and degradation, plus antioxidation. One or more of these genes might ‘rescue’ resistant plants from irreversible damage after glyphosate treatment. The 41 target genes we report in the present study may inform further functional genomics studies, including gene editing approaches to elucidate glyphosate-resistance mechanisms in C. bonariensis.

Resistance to glyphosate and paraquat has evolved in some populations of Conyza spp. from California, USA. This study evaluated whether herbicide absorption and translocation were involved in the mechanism of resistance to both herbicides. Three lines of each species were used: glyphosate-paraquat-susceptible ( GPS), glyphosate-resistant ( GR) and glyphosate-paraquat-resistant (GPR). Radiolabelled herbicide was applied to a fully expanded leaf, and absorption and movement out of the treated leaf were monitored for up to 24 h for paraquat and 72 h for glyphosate. Plants treated with paraquat were incubated in darkness for the first 16 h and then subjected to light conditions. More glyphosate was absorbed in C. bonariensis (52.9-58.3%) compared with C. canadensis (28.5-37.6%), but no differences in absorption were observed among lines within a species. However, in both species, the GR and GPR lines translocated less glyphosate out of the treated leaf when compared with their respective GPS lines. Paraquat absorption was similar among lines and across species (71.3-77.6%). Only a fraction of paraquat was translocated in the GPR lines (3% or less) when compared with their respective GPS or GR lines (20% or more) in both species. Taken together, these results indicate that reduced translocation is involved in the mechanism of resistance to glyphosate and paraquat in C. bonariensis and C. canadensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conyza bonariensis tornou-se a principal planta daninha da cultura da soja no Sul do Brasil, em decorrência da evolução para resistência ao herbicida glyphosate. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes coberturas de inverno e da associação de manejo de dessecação pré-semeadura da soja, visando ao controle de C. bonariensis resistente ao glyphosate. Um experimento foi conduzido em campo, na safra 2010/2011. Os tratamentos foram conduzidos em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, em que as coberturas de inverno foram alocadas nas parcelas principais: aveia-preta, nabo, ervilhaca, azevém, trigo e pousio. Nas subparcelas, foram alocados os tratamentos de manejo de dessecação pré-semeadura da soja: glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1), glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1) + 2,4-D (1.050 g e.a ha-1), glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1) + 2,4-D (1.050 g e.a ha-1)/paraquat (200 g i.a ha-1) + diuron (100 g i.a ha-1), glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1) + chlorimuron-ethyl (80 g i.a ha-1), glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1) + chlorimuron-ethyl (80 g i.a ha-1)/paraquat (200 g i.a ha-1) + diuron (100 g i.a ha‑1) e roçada. O nabo foi a espécie de cobertura que produziu o maior volume de massa seca durante o inverno, enquanto a ervilhaca foi a que apresentou maior efeito supressor sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento inicial de C. bonariensis. Associações de glyphosate com 2,4-D ou chlorimuron-ethyl, seguidas da aplicação sequencial de paraquat + diuron, causaram maior redução na infestação de C. bonariensis.Conyza bonariensis became the main weed in soybean crop in Southern Brazil, as a consequence of the evolution of resistance to the herbicide glyphosate. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different winter cover crops and the association of burn-down herbicides on the control of glyphosate-resistant C. bonariensis. A field experiment was conducted in the 2010/2011 season. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot scheme, with the winter cover crops lopsided oat, radish, common vetch, Italian ryegrass, wheat, and fallow in the main plots, and in the subplots, the following burn-down treatments: glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1), glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1) + 2,4-D (1.050 g e.a ha-1), glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1) + 2,4-D (1.050 g e.a ha‑1)/paraquat (200 g i.a ha-1) + diuron (100 g i.a ha-1), glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1) + chlorimuron-ethyl (80 g i.a ha-1), glyphosate (720 g e.a ha-1) + chlorimuron-ethyl (80 g i.a ha-1)/paraquat (200 g i.a ha-1) + diuron (100 g i.a ha-1) and mowing. Radish was the cover crop species that produced the highest amount of shoot dry mass during the winter season, while common vetch had the highest suppressive effect on germination and initial development of C. bonariensis. Associations of glyphosate with 2,4-D or chlorimuron-ethyl, followed by the sequential application of paraquat + diuron, caused the highest reductions in C. bonariensis infestation.

Conyza bonariensis is currently a frequent and abundant weed in fruiting tree crops associated with non-tillage in Mediterranean climate areas, such as citrus groves and olive orchards. Because of the mild winters characteristic of this climate, an extended season of seedling emergence, from early autumn to early spring, is often found for this species, this leading to multiple annual cohorts. In this work, a cohort-based stochastic model of C. bonariensis population dynamics was developed and used to simulate the behaviour of the seed bank in Mediterranean fruiting tree crops under ten contrasting management strategies, including single or integrated herbicide and non chemical control measures. The demographic impact of tillage system (ploughing vs. no-till), the use of cover, and timing of herbicide applications was simulated. The model was parameterized with information taken from the literature. In the absence of any control and under no-tillage the modelled seed bank reached an average equilibrium density of 378,092 ± 10,865 seeds m −2 . The most effective management strategy integrated no-till, the use of cover and early and late applications of herbicides, which reduced the equilibrium densities of the seed bank by 78.7%. A sensitivity analysis indicated that C. bonariensis populations in Mediterranean fruiting tree crops are particularly sensitive to small changes in the demographic parameters associated with the earlier cohort and to the efficacy of early herbicide treatments. A diversified, integrated approach including different interventions of chemical and cultural nature appears to be the most successful strategy at the field level for controlling C. bonariensis in Mediterranean fruiting tree crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Distribution of Conyza species is well correlated with human interference. Multiple herbicide resistance is caused by the attempt to overcome resistance to one mode of action by overuse of another. Conyza canadensis (CC) and Conyza bonariensis (CB) are troublesome weeds around the world. Extensive use of herbicides has led to the evolution of numerous Conyza spp. herbicide-resistant populations. Seeds of 91 CC and CB populations were collected across Israel. They were mostly found (86 %) in roadsides and urban habitats, two disturbed habitats that had been dramatically impacted by human activities, thus we classify these species as anthropogenic. Although pyrithiobac-sodium was only used in cotton fields, 90 % of Conyza spp. populations were identified as pyrithiobac-sodium resistant, suggesting possible natural resistance to pyrithiobac-sodium. CC21 and CC17 C. canadensis populations were highly resistant to all tested ALS inhibitors due to a substitution in the ALS gene from Trp to Leu. They were also atrazine resistant due to a substitution in the psbA gene from Ser to Gly. The high level of imazapyr and pyrithiobac-sodium resistance observed in the CC10 population was due to an Ala to Val substitution. However, high resistance to sulfometuron methyl and pyrithiobac-sodium in population CC6 was due to a point mutation at Pro to Ser. All resistant plants of CC21 population showed both psbA (Ser to Gly) and ALS (Trp to Leu) substitutions, leading us to the conclusion that the attempt to overcome resistance to one mode of action by overuse of another will most likely lead to multiple herbicide resistance. Furthermore, we concluded that only individuals that carry both mutations could survive the shift between the two modes of action and overcome the fitness cost associated with the PSII resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conyza spp. have become a major weed around the world, mainly because of weed resistance issues. The objective of this work was to test the hypothesis that the soyabean crop yield is dependent on the density of Conyza bonariensis and on the timing of weed establishment in relation to the crop sowing date. It was also theorised that these variables affect soyabean crop yield components and the economic threshold of C. bonariensis on soyabean. Field experiments were conducted during 2010 and 2011 using a randomised complete block design. In each experiment, several densities (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 192 plants m−2) of C. bonariensis were established in soyabean fields. Conyza bonariensis establishment dates varied considerably between the experiments [81, 38 and 0 days before soyabean sowing ( DBSS)]. Conyza bonariensis plants were first cultivated in a glasshouse and then transplanted to the field at the three-leaf growth stage. At the lower densities, each C. bonariensis plant decreased soyabean yield by 36%, 12% and 1.0%, when established at 81, 38 and 0 DBSS respectively. The economic thresholds based on sensitivity analysis were below 0.5 plant m−2 when C. bonariensis was introduced at 81 and 38 DBSS; in contrast, they were between 2 and 4 plants m−2 when the weed was established at the crop sowing time. The results emphasise the importance of proper C. bonariensis management prior to soyabean sowing and highlight the need for residual herbicides to avoid grain yield losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) hairy fleabane was first documented in California in 2007. A preliminary study comparing plants from this population to a glyphosate-susceptible (GS) population determined that they developed more rapidly than the GS plants. However, it was not known if this was a general characteristic of all GR populations. Therefore, seeds of hairy fleabane were collected from 122 locations in central California. Plants from each location were grown and tested for resistance using a shikimate enzyme assay. Seeds from 90 locations germinated of which 27 % were determined as GR, 21 % as GS, and 52 % as intermediate/mixed. Plants from five GR and five GS populations, as determined by the assay, were randomly selected for comparisons and were grown in 2010/2011. Time taken by each plant to reach key phenological stages was recorded and converted into growing degree day (GDD) using a base temperature of 4.2 °C. The biomass of each plant was recorded at seed set. The five GR and GS plants had similar phenological development rates and biomass. Therefore, the differences previously identified between the two populations were not present in the additionally tested populations. The phenological development was hence described by a common GDD model with the plants requiring 374, 711, 970, 1289, and 1551 GDD, to reach the rosette, bolting, first bud, first flower, and first seed stages, respectively. This study shows widespread distribution of GR hairy fleabane in central California, provides useful information on biology of this weed for management, and suggests possible label changes to herbicide manufacturers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conyza bonariensis is a South American native annual Asteraceae that has been introduced to the Mediterranean, where it behaves as a ruderal plant and a weed that is difficult to control in several crops. The development of predictive models can contribute to control measures at early growth stages, but currently there are no studies to predict seedling emergence of Conyza species. Our objectives were to develop and evaluate a model for predicting emergence response of C. bonariensis to the soil hydrothermal environment. A hydrothermal seed germination model was fitted to time course germination data from germination tests carried out at different constant temperatures and water potentials with the aim of establishing the hydrothermal parameters characterising C. bonariensis seed germination. The relationship between cumulative seedling emergence and cumulative hydrothermal time under field conditions was analysed using the Gompertz function. Model development was based on 2 years' data from a field experiment. Base temperature and base water potential for seed germination were estimated at 10.6°C and −0.70 ± 0.151 MPa, respectively. The emergence model showed a very good fit to the experimental data. According to this model, seedling emergence starts at 15 accumulated hydrothermal time ( HTT) after sowing, and 50 and 95% emergence is completed at 53 HTT and 105 HTT, respectively. For model evaluation, independent field experiments were carried out in two localities. Cumulative seedling emergence was accurately predicted by the model. Results indicate that this model can be useful as a predictive tool contributing to effective control of C. bonariensis populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological and molecular bases of glyphosate resistance in one susceptible (S) and four resistant (R) Conyza bonariensis biotypes (sampled in orchards from Andalusia, Spain) were investigated. Resistance index (RI) values of the four R biotypes ranged between 2.9 and 5.6. The main physiological difference between S and R biotypes was the dissimilar mobility of glyphosate in the whole plant. In R biotypes, the herbicide was translocated less from leaves to culm and root, and more from culm to leaves compared with the S biotype. The upward mobility of glyphosate via xylem suggests that the herbicide may be sequestered to the apoplast or the vacuole. The hypothesis of an insensitive 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) was provisionally discarded on the basis of shikimate accumulation in R plant tissues after glyphosate treatment. At the molecular level, the relative abundance of EPSPS mRNA prior to glyphosate treatment was approximately double in two R biotypes compared with the S standard and the other R biotypes. Moreover, the two R biotypes having both no translocation and doubled EPSPS mRNA levels had also the highest RI. These results suggest that two factors may be related to glyphosate resistance in the R biotypes: (i) impaired translocation and (ii) high basal EPSPS transcript levels. The comparison between these findings and earlier results on glyphosate resistance mechanism in Conyza canadensis biotypes from the USA, suggests that similar agronomic factors (repeated application of glyphosate, no crop and herbicide rotation, no tillage) have selected similar traits on different genetic pools of the resistance-prone Conyza genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within-field demography of weeds exhibiting wind-mediated long distance seed movement can be largely governed by extra-field seed-source populations. Thus, for these species, a clear understanding of the temporal and spatial patterns of seed dispersal can benefit the development of effective management options. The spatial distribution of the seeds released from the onset of fruiting, in early summer, to the onset of the rainy season, in early autumn, was studied during 2 years at a Mediterranean-climate locality in Erigeron bonariensis L. (Hairy fleabane), a wind-dispersed invasive weed inhabiting ruderal environments and crop fields. Each year, a small source population was established in an open field in SW Spain and seed traps were arranged in the eight cardinal directions at distances up to 100 m (year 1), or in the NE and NW directions at distances up to 65 m (year 2). Counts of trapped seeds were carried out at 4–6 day intervals and the number of seeds released by the source population was estimated each year in most census dates. Four empirical dispersal models based on either thin-tailed or fat-tailed density kernels were tested using year 1 data for their ability to represent the spatial distribution of seeds. To test for anisotropic dispersal, model parameters were allowed to vary according to the wind pattern in each cardinal direction. Based on information criteria, a model including a fat-tailed, Log-hyperbolic secant kernel showing parameter response to the wind pattern, highlighting striking anisotropic dispersal, was selected and evaluated using year 2 data. Distance percentiles 50 and 80 attained by the seed crop released in year 1 season were modeled at 530 m and 10,498 m, respectively. The opposite quadrants encompassing the dominant downwind (N-NE) and upwind directions (S-SW) received 52.5% and 10.8% of seeds. The year 1 population, consisting of 85 plants, generated a modeled seed rain of at least 10 seeds m−2 up to 200 m downwind. Implications of results for management of this herbicide resistance-prone species are discussed. • Fat-tailed seed dispersal patterns in the wind-dispersed weed Erigeron bonariensis. • Season-long, highly anisotropic dispersal explained by the seasonal wind pattern. • Most seeds released by the point source patch landed within the downwind quadrant. • Even a small patch generates a high seed rain at hundreds of meters downwind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repeated use of herbicides can lead to the selection of multiple resistance weeds. Some populations of Conyza bonariensis occurring in olive groves from southern Spain have developed resistance to various herbicides. This study determined the resistance levels to 2,4-D, glyphosate, diflufenican, paraquat, and tribenuron-methyl in a putative resistant (R) C. bonariensis population, and the possible non-target-site resistance (NTSR) mechanisms involved were characterized. Resistance factors varied as follows: glyphosate (8.9), 2,4-D (4.8), diflufenican (5.0), tribenuron-methyl (19.6), and paraquat (85.5). Absorption of 14 C-glyphosate was up to 25% higher in the susceptible (S) population compared to the R one, but 14 C-paraquat absorption was similar (up to 70%) in both populations. S plants translocated more than 60% of both 14 C-glyphosate and 14 C-paraquat toward shoots and roots, while R plants translocated less than 10%. The R population was able to metabolize 57% of the 2,4-D into nontoxic metabolites and 68% of the tribenuron-methyl into metsulfuron-methyl (10%), metsulfuron-methyl-hydroxylate (18%), and conjugate-metsulfuron-methyl (40%). Among the NTSR mechanisms investigated, absorption and translocation could be involved in glyphosate resistance, but only translocation for paraquat. Proofs of the presence of enhanced metabolism as a resistance mechanism were found for tribenuron-methyl and 2,4-D, but not for diflufenican. This research informs the first occurrence of multiple resistance to five herbicide classes (acetolactate synthase inhibitors, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase inhibitors, photosystem I electron diverters, photosystem II inhibitors, and synthetic auxin herbicides) in C. bonariensis .

Conyza bonariensis (hairy fleabane) is one of the most problematic and widespread glyphosate-resistant weeds in the world. This highly competitive weed species significantly interferes with crop growth and substantially decreases crop yield. Despite its agricultural importance, the molecular mechanisms of glyphosate resistance are still unknown. The present RNA-Seq study was performed with the goal of identifying differentially expressed candidate transcripts (genes) related to metabolism-based non-target site glyphosate resistance in C. bonariensis. The whole-transcriptome was de novo assembled from glyphosate-resistant and -sensitive biotypes of C. bonariensis from Southern Brazil. The RNA was extracted from untreated and glyphosate-treated plants at several timepoints up to 288 h after treatment in both biotypes. The transcriptome assembly produced 90,124 contigs with an average length of 777 bp and N50 of 1118 bp. In response to glyphosate treatment, differential gene expression analysis was performed on glyphosate-resistant and -sensitive biotypes. A total of 9622 genes were differentially expressed as a response to glyphosate treatment in both biotypes, 4297 (44.6%) being up- and 5325 (55.4%) down-regulated. The resistant biotype presented 1770 up- and 2333 down-regulated genes while the sensitive biotype had 2335 and 2800 up- and down-regulated genes, respectively. Among them, 974 up- and 1290 down-regulated genes were co-expressed in both biotypes. In the present work, we identified 41 new candidate target genes from five families related to herbicide transport and metabolism: 19 ABC transporters, 10 CYP450s, one glutathione S-transferase (GST), five glycosyltransferases (GT), and six genes related to antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The candidate genes may participate in metabolic-based glyphosate resistance via oxidation, conjugation, transport, and degradation, plus antioxidation. One or more of these genes might 'rescue' resistant plants from irreversible damage after glyphosate treatment. The 41 target genes we report in the present study may inform further functional genomics studies, including gene editing approaches to elucidate glyphosate-resistance mechanisms in C. bonariensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]