Register      Login
Crop and Pasture Science Crop and Pasture Science Society
Plant sciences, sustainable farming systems and food quality
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

The extent of herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum Gaud. (annual ryegrass) across south-eastern Australia as determined from random surveys

John Broster https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5639-9581 A * , Peter Boutsalis B , Gurjeet S. Gill B and Christopher Preston https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7588-124X B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Gulbali Institute for Agriculture Water Environment, Charles Sturt University, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.

B School of Agriculture, Food & Wine, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia.

* Correspondence to: jbroster@csu.edu.au

Handling Editor: Mary-Jane Rogers

Crop & Pasture Science 73(11) 1308-1317 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP21753
Submitted: 5 November 2021  Accepted: 26 April 2022   Published: 24 May 2022

© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context: Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is a major weed of crop production in southern Australia that readily develops resistance to herbicides. Resistance increases both yield losses and control costs associated with this species.

Aims: This study aimed to gauge the extent and distribution of resistance to herbicides in L. rigidum across south-eastern Australian grain production systems by collecting seed from randomly selected fields.

Methods: A total of 1441 weed populations were collected through random surveys conducted over 5 years across 13 agricultural regions of four states with these samples then tested for resistance to eight herbicides from six modes of action.

Key results: Resistance to diclofop-methyl and sulfometuron-methyl was most common, being present in 64% and 63% of populations respectively. Glyphosate resistance was present in 4% of populations collected. Only 15% of populations collected were susceptible to all herbicides tested. Large differences in resistance occurred between the 13 regions surveyed with resistance to diclofop-methyl ranging from 15% to 86% of populations and sulfometuron-methyl from 12% to 96%. Resistance to post-emergent herbicides tended to be higher than pre-emergent herbicides. Multiple resistance was common with 60% of populations collected having resistance to two or more herbicide modes of action.

Conclusions: There were significant differences in the extent of multiple resistance in L. rigidum populations collected from individual regions suggesting that the rates of resistance evolution have differed between regions.

The high incidence of herbicide resistance in L. rigidum populations randomly collected from south-eastern Australian cropping fields highlights the need for the adoption of additional weed control practices to mitigate the impact of this species on grain production systems.

Keywords: ACCase-inhibiting herbicide, ALS-inhibiting herbicide, diclofop-methyl, glyphosate, multiple resistance, pre-emergent herbicide, ryegrass, sulfometuron-methyl.


References

Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (2022) GM canola growth in Australia. Available at https://www.abca.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GMCanolaGrowthinAustralia_Tables_UpdatedJune2020.pdf [Accessed 11 February 2022]

Beckie HJ, Lozinski C, Shirriff S, Brenzil CA (2013) Herbicide-resistant weeds in the Canadian Prairies: 2007 to 2011. Weed Technology 27, 171–183.
Herbicide-resistant weeds in the Canadian Prairies: 2007 to 2011.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bonny S (2008) Genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soybean in the USA: adoption factors, impacts and prospects. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 28, 21–32.
Genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soybean in the USA: adoption factors, impacts and prospects. A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Boutsalis P, Broster JC (2006) Herbicide resistance testing of Lolium rigidum by commercial institutions. In ‘Proceedings of the 15th Australian weeds conference’. Adelaide, SA. (Eds C Preston, JH Watts, ND Crossman) pp. 448–490 (Weed Management Society of South Australia: Adelaide, SA)

Boutsalis P, Preston C, Broster JC (2006) Management of trifluralin resistance in annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) in southern Australia. In ‘Proceedings of the 15th Australian Weeds Conference’. Adelaide, SA. (Eds C Preston, JH Watts, ND Crossman) pp. 507–510. (Weed Management Society of South Australia: Adelaide, SA)

Boutsalis P, Gill GS, Preston C (2012) Incidence of herbicide resistance in rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) across southeastern Australia. Weed Technology 26, 391–398.
Incidence of herbicide resistance in rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) across southeastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Boutsalis P, Gill GS, Preston C (2014) Control of rigid ryegrass in Australian wheat production with pyroxasulfone. Weed Technology 28, 332–339.
Control of rigid ryegrass in Australian wheat production with pyroxasulfone.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Broster JC, Koetz EA, Wu H (2011) Herbicide resistance levels in annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) in southern New South Wales. Plant Protection Quarterly 26, 22–28.

Broster JC, Koetz EA, Wu H (2012) Herbicide resistance frequencies in ryegrass (Lolium spp.) and other grass species in Tasmania. Plant Protection Quarterly 27, 36–42.

Broster JC, Koetz EA, Wu H (2013) Herbicide resistance levels in annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) and wild oat (Avena spp.) in southwestern New South Wales. Plant Protection Quarterly 28, 126–132.

Broster JC, Pratley JE, Ip RHL, Ang L, Seng KP (2019a) A quarter of a century of monitoring herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum in Australia. Crop & Pasture Science 70, 283–293.
A quarter of a century of monitoring herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Broster JC, Pratley JE, Ip RHL, Ang L, Seng KP (2019b) Cropping practices influence incidence of herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in Australia. Crop & Pasture Science 70, 77–84.
Cropping practices influence incidence of herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brunton DJ, Boutsalis P, Gill G, Preston C (2018) Resistance to multiple PRE herbicides in a field-evolved rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) population. Weed Science 66, 581–585.
Resistance to multiple PRE herbicides in a field-evolved rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brunton DJ, Boutsalis P, Gill G, Preston C (2019) Resistance to very-long-chain fatty-acid (VLCFA)-inhibiting herbicides in multiple field-selected rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) populations. Weed Science 67, 267–272.
Resistance to very-long-chain fatty-acid (VLCFA)-inhibiting herbicides in multiple field-selected rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Duke SO, Powles SB (2008) Glyphosate: a once-in-a-century herbicide. Pest Management Science 64, 319–325.
Glyphosate: a once-in-a-century herbicide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18273882PubMed |

Gill G (1996) Ecology of annual ryegrass. Plant Protection Quarterly 11, 195–198.

Hall LM, Beckie HJ, Low R, Shirriff SW, Blackshaw RE, Kimmel N, Neeser C (2014) Survey of glyphosate-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.) in Alberta. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 94, 127–130.
Survey of glyphosate-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.) in Alberta.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Han H, Yu Q, Owen MJ, Cawthray GR, Powles SB (2016) Widespread occurrence of both metabolic and target-site herbicide resistance mechanisms in Lolium rigidum populations. Pest Management Science 72, 255–263.
Widespread occurrence of both metabolic and target-site herbicide resistance mechanisms in Lolium rigidum populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25703739PubMed |

Heap I, Duke SO (2018) Overview of glyphosate-resistant weeds worldwide. Pest Management Science 74, 1040–1049.
Overview of glyphosate-resistant weeds worldwide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29024306PubMed |

Lemerle D, Verbeek B, Coombes N (1995) Losses in grain yield of winter crops from Lolium rigidum competition depend on crop species, cultivar and season. Weed Research 35, 503–509.
Losses in grain yield of winter crops from Lolium rigidum competition depend on crop species, cultivar and season.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Llewellyn RS, Lindner RK, Pannell DJ, Powles SB (2002) Resistance and the herbicide resource: perceptions of Western Australian grain growers. Crop Protection 21, 1067–1075.
Resistance and the herbicide resource: perceptions of Western Australian grain growers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Llewellyn RS, D’Emden FH, Kuehne G (2012) Extensive use of no-tillage in grain growing regions of Australia. Field Crops Research 132, 204–212.
Extensive use of no-tillage in grain growing regions of Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Llewellyn R, Ronning D, Clarke M, Mayfield A, Walker S, Ouzman J (2016) Impact of Weeds on Australian Grain Production: the cost of weeds to Australian grain growers and the adoption of weed management and tillage practices. Grains Research and Development Corporation, Canberra, Australia.

McDonald JH (2014) ‘Handbook of biological statistics.’ 3rd edn. (Sparky House Publishing: Baltimore, MD, USA)

O’Donovan JT, Harker KN, Clayton GW, Blackshaw RE (2006) Comparison of a glyphosate-resistant Canola (Brassica napus L.) system with traditional herbicide regimes. Weed Technology 20, 494–501.
Comparison of a glyphosate-resistant Canola (Brassica napus L.) system with traditional herbicide regimes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Owen MJ, Powles SB (2018) Current levels of herbicide resistance in key weed species in the WA grain belt. GRDC Update Papers 26 February 2018. Grains Research and Development Corporation, Canberra, ACT. Available at https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2018/02/current-levels-of-herbicide-resistance-in-key-weed-species.

Owen MJ, Martinez NJ, Powles SB (2014) Multiple herbicide-resistant Lolium rigidum (annual ryegrass) now dominates across the Western Australian grain belt. Weed Research 54, 314–324.
Multiple herbicide-resistant Lolium rigidum (annual ryegrass) now dominates across the Western Australian grain belt.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Owen MJ, Martinez NJ, Powles SB (2015) Multiple herbicide-resistant wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) populations dominate Western Australian cropping fields. Crop & Pasture Science 66, 1079–1085.
Multiple herbicide-resistant wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) populations dominate Western Australian cropping fields.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Powles SB, Lorraine-Colwill DF, Dellow JJ, Preston C (1998) Evolved resistance to glyphosate in rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in Australia. Weed Science 46, 604–607.
Evolved resistance to glyphosate in rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pratley J, Urwin N, Stanton R, Baines P, Broster J, Cullis K, Schafer D, Bohn J, Kruger R (1999) Resistance to glyphosate in Lolium rigidum. I. Bioevaluation. Weed Science 47, 405–411.
Resistance to glyphosate in Lolium rigidum. I. Bioevaluation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rauch TA, Thill DC, Gersdorf SA, Price WJ (2010) Widespread occurrence of herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. Weed Technology 24, 281–288.
Widespread occurrence of herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reeves TG (1976) Effect of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) on yield of wheat. Weed Research 16, 57–63.
Effect of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) on yield of wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Saini RK, Malone J, Preston C, Gill G (2015a) Target enzyme-based resistance to clethodim in Lolium rigidum populations in Australia. Weed Science 63, 946–953.
Target enzyme-based resistance to clethodim in Lolium rigidum populations in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Saini RK, Kleemann SGL, Preston C, Gill GS (2015b) Alternative herbicides for the management of clethodim-resistant rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in Southern Australia. Weed Technology 29, 578–586.
Alternative herbicides for the management of clethodim-resistant rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in Southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schultz JL, Chatham LA, Riggins CW, Tranel PJ, Bradley KW (2015) Distribution of herbicide resistances and molecular mechanisms conferring resistance in Missouri waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis Sauer) populations. Weed Science 63, 336–345.
Distribution of herbicide resistances and molecular mechanisms conferring resistance in Missouri waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis Sauer) populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tranel PJ, Wright TR (2002) Resistance of weeds to ALS-inhibiting herbicides: what have we learned? Weed Science 50, 700–712.
Resistance of weeds to ALS-inhibiting herbicides: what have we learned?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Walsh MJ, Aves C, Powles SB (2017) Harvest weed seed control systems are similarly effective on rigid ryegrass. Weed Technology 31, 178–183.
Harvest weed seed control systems are similarly effective on rigid ryegrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yu Q, Powles SB (2014) Resistance to AHAS inhibitor herbicides: current understanding. Pest Management Science 70, 1340–1350.
Resistance to AHAS inhibitor herbicides: current understanding.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24338926PubMed |

Yu Q, Collavo A, Zheng MQ, Owen M, Sattin M, Powles SB (2007) Diversity of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase mutations in resistant Lolium populations: evaluation using clethodim. Plant Physiology 145, 547–558.
Diversity of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase mutations in resistant Lolium populations: evaluation using clethodim.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17720757PubMed |