Sumatran fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis [Retz.] E. Walker) control in soybean with combinations of burndown and preemergence herbicides applied in the off-season

Sumatran fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis [Retz.] E. Walker) can be found in many different agricultural environments and impact different crops, such as soybeans and corn. It is believed that the application of burndown and preemergence herbicides in the off-season are effective in controlling Sumatran fleabane in soybean crops. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of burndown and preemergence herbicides in the off-season, with one or two applications, in the control of Sumatran fleabane in soybean cultivation. Five field experiments were conducted in Maripá, state of Paraná (PR), Brazil. The treatments consisted of the application of burndown herbicides in combinations with preemergence ones, with one or two applications. Control of Sumatran fleabane and soybean yield were evaluated. With the set of experiments, it is highlighted that the strategy combining more applications, with different herbicides, burndown and preemergence, is more promising in the control of Sumatran fleabane. When comparing synthetic auxins, dicamba and triclopyr stand out. For sequential application, worse performance was observed for diquat. Combinations between burndown and preemergence herbicides were effective in controlling Sumatran fleabane, for pre sowing application in soybean. With emphasis on managements with sequential applications of saflufenacil with glufosinate or glyphosate. The strategy combining more applications, with different herbicides, burndown and preemergence herbicides, is more promising in the control of Sumatran fleabane.

Novel Candidate Genes Differentially Expressed in Glyphosate-Treated Horseweed (Conyza canadensis).

The evolution of herbicide-resistant weed species is a serious threat for weed control. Therefore, we need an improved understanding of how gene regulation confers herbicide resistance in order to slow the evolution of resistance. The present study analyzed differentially expressed genes after glyphosate treatment on a glyphosate-resistant Tennessee ecotype (TNR) of horseweed (Conyza canadensis), compared to a susceptible biotype (TNS). A read size of 100.2 M was sequenced on the Illumina platform and subjected to de novo assembly, resulting in 77,072 gene-level contigs, of which 32,493 were uniquely annotated by a BlastX alignment of protein sequence similarity. The most differentially expressed genes were enriched in the gene ontology (GO) term of the transmembrane transport protein. In addition, fifteen upregulated genes were identified in TNR after glyphosate treatment but were not detected in TNS. Ten of these upregulated genes were transmembrane transporter or kinase receptor proteins. Therefore, a combination of changes in gene expression among transmembrane receptor and kinase receptor proteins may be important for endowing non-target-site glyphosate-resistant C. canadensis.

Hemin-induced increase in saponin content contributes to the alleviation of osmotic and cold stress damage to Conyza blinii in a heme oxygenase 1-dependent manner.

Hemin can improve the stress resistance of plants through the heme oxygenase system. Additionally, substances contained in plants, such as secondary metabolites, can improve stress resistance. However, few studies have explored the effects of hemin on secondary metabolite content. Therefore, the effects of hemin on saponin synthesis and the mechanism of plant injury relief by hemin in Conyza blinii were investigated in this study. Hemin treatment promoted plant growth and increased the antioxidant enzyme activity and saponin content of C. blinii under osmotic stress and cold stress. Further study showed that hemin could provide sufficient precursors for saponin synthesis by improving the photosynthetic capacity of C. blinii and increasing the gene expression of key enzymes in the saponin synthesis pathway, thus increasing the saponin content. Moreover, the promotion effect of hemin on saponin synthesis is dependent on heme oxygenase-1 and can be reversed by the inhibitor Zn-protoporphyrin-IX (ZnPPIX). This study revealed that hemin can increase the saponin content of C. blinii and alleviate the damage caused by abiotic stress, and it also broadened the understanding of the relationship between hemin and secondary metabolites in plant abiotic stress relief.

Ferrous iron-induced increases in capitate glandular trichome density and upregulation of CbHO-1 contributes to increases in blinin content in Conyza blinii.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Ferrous iron can promote the development of glandular trichomes and increase the content of blinin, which depends on CbHO-1 expression. Conyza blinii (C. blinii) is a unique Chinese herbal medicine that grows in Sichuan Province, China. Because the habitat of C. blinii is an iron ore mining area with abundant iron content, this species can be used as one of the best materials to study the mechanism of plant tolerance to iron. In this study, C. blinii was treated with ferrous-EDTA solutions at different concentrations, and it was found that the tolerance value of C. blinii to iron was 200 µM. Under this concentration, the plant height, root length, biomass, and iron content of C. blinii increased to the maximum values, and the effect was dependent on the upregulated expression of CbHO-1. At the same time, under ferrous iron, the photosynthetic capacity and capitate glandular trichome density of C. blinii also significantly increased, providing precursors and sites for the synthesis of blinin, thus significantly increasing the content of blinin. These processes were also dependent on the high expression of CbHO-1. Correlation analysis showed that there were strong positive correlations between iron content, capitate glandular trichome density, CbHO-1 gene expression, and blinin content. This study explored the effects of ferrous iron on the physiology and biochemistry of C. blinii, greatly improving our understanding of the mechanism of iron tolerance in C. blinii.

Target-site EPSPS Pro-106-Ser mutation in Conyza canadensis biotypes with extreme resistance to glyphosate in Ohio and Iowa, USA.

Documenting the diversity of mechanisms for herbicide resistance in agricultural weeds is helpful for understanding evolutionary processes that contribute to weed management problems. More than 40 species have evolved resistance to glyphosate, and at least 13 species have a target-site mutation at position 106 of EPSPS. In horseweed (Conyza canadensis), this p106 mutation has only been reported in Canada. Here, we sampled seeds from one plant (= biotype) at 24 sites in Ohio and 20 in Iowa, screened these biotypes for levels of resistance, and sequenced their DNA to detect the p106 mutation. Resistance categories were based on 80% survival at five glyphosate doses: S (0×), R1 (1×), R2 (8×), R3 (20×), or R4 (40×). The p106 mutation was not found in the19 biotypes scored as S, R1, or R2, while all 25 biotypes scored as R3 or R4 had the same proline-to-serine substitution at p106. These findings represent the first documented case of target-site mediated glyphosate resistance in horseweed in the United States, and the first to show that this mutation was associated with very strong resistance. We hypothesize that the p106 mutation has occurred multiple times in horseweed and may be spreading rapidly, further complicating weed management efforts.

Physiological response of Conyza Canadensis to cadmium stress monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cadmium accumulation.

The cadmium(Cd) pollution of soil causes serious environmental problems. Cd is a high toxic and high water soluble element without biological function, and it is easily taken in by plants owing to its high bioavailability. Thus it easily entered the food chain and threaten people's health. Here，different concentrations of Cd solutions were used to study the physiological response and Cd accumulation characteristics of Conyza Canadensis (L.) Cronq. The physiological response was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Cd accumulation in plant and distribution were tested by Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) under different concentrations Cd stress. When Cd concentrations toxicity <3 mg·L-1, the C. Canadensis (L.) Cronq. could grow normally without any symptoms, and the Cd concentrations increased to 7 mg·L-1, the C. Canadensis (L.) Cronq. had a little lower biomass, but there was no significant difference in the biomass among treatment concentrations. The peak shape of each component remained unchanged before and after Cd treatment. Only the absorption peak of some functional groups involved in Cd adsorption shifted with different degrees, such as hydroxy groups (3417-3429 cm-1), carboxyl groups (1380-1386 cm-1), and acid amide groups (1631-1637 cm -1). The characteristic peak absorption intensity of root, stem and leaf was different with the increase of heavy metal concentration. The absorbance of the roots with high Cd concentration was higher than that with medium-low Cd concentration. This shows that high concentration of Cd could induce C. Canadensis (L.) Cronq. seedlings to produce a large number of protein, amino acid and other substances, and through osmotic regulation to enhance stress resistance, provide nitrogen source, reduce heavy metal toxicity, and stabilize the internal environment. After Cd treatment, the characteristic peaks of stem and leaf were higher than or close to the control. This is due to the high tolerance of C. Canadensis (L.) Cronq. seedlings to heavy metals. The Cd accumulation in the shoots (stems and leaves) of C. Canadensis (L.) Cronq. was obviously lower than that in roots and the Cd content in the shoots usually increased with increasing Cd concentration. The maximum accumulation of Cd in shoots was 1898.07 mg·kg-1 after 11 days grown in the water spiked with 7 mg·L-1 Cd concentration. The study suggests that C. Canadensis (L.) Cronq. has some remediation effect and endurance ability against heavy metal polluted contaminated soil and has potential utilization value in the technical field of phytoremediation of Cd polluted soil.

Physiological, biochemical and molecular bases of resistance to tribenuron-methyl and glyphosate in Conyza canadensis from olive groves in southern Spain.

Multiple resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS, EC 2.2.1.6) and 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS, EC 2.5.1.19) inhibitor herbicides was studied in two populations of Conyza canadensis (RTG and STG) harvested in southern Spain. Dose-response and enzymatic activity studies for the ALS-inhibiting herbicides showed only cross-resistance to sulfonylureas group but not to the other ALS chemical groups in the RTG population. Regarding glyphosate, the dose-response studies showed that the RTG population was 11.8 times more resistant than the STG population, while the inhibition of EPSPS enzyme (I50) was similar for both populations. Altered/reduced absorption and translocation were the main resistance mechanisms for glyphosate but not for tribenuron-methyl. The metabolic studies to find differences in the amounts of metabolites between the two populations were carried out using thin layer chromatography (for tribenuron-methyl) and capillary electrophoresis (for glyphosate). Metabolites were significantly differed among the two populations for tribenuron-methyl but not for glyphosate. The sequencing of the target-site ALS gene from RTG plants revealed a single point mutation, Pro-197-Ala, that causes resistance to sulfonylurea herbicide in C. canadensis.

Increased temperatures and elevated CO2 levels reduce the sensitivity of Conyza canadensis and Chenopodium album to glyphosate.

Herbicides are the most commonly used means of controlling weeds. Recently, there has been growing concern over the potential impacts of global climate change, specifically, increasing temperatures and elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, on the sensitivity of weeds to herbicides. Here, glyphosate response of both Conyza canadensis and Chenopodium album was evaluated under different environmental conditions. Reduced glyphosate sensitivity was observed in both species in response to increased temperature, elevated CO2 level, and the combination of both factors. Increased temperature had greater effect on plant survival than elevated CO2 level. In combination, high temperature and elevated CO2 level resulted in loss of apical dominance and rapid necrosis in glyphosate-treated plants. To investigate the mechanistic basis of reduced glyphosate sensitivity, translocation was examined using 14C-glyphosate. In plants that were subjected to high temperatures and elevated CO2 level, glyphosate was more rapidly translocated out of the treated leaf to shoot meristems and roots than in plants grown under control conditions. These results suggest that altered glyphosate translocation and tissue-specific sequestration may be the basis of reduced plant sensitivity. Therefore, overreliance on glyphosate for weed control under changing climatic conditions may result in more weed control failures.

High Levels of Glyphosate Resistance in Conyza canadensis from Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Sites in Ohio and Iowa.

Glyphosate is an important herbicide worldwide, but its efficacy has been compromised where weed species have evolved glyphosate resistance. To better understand evolutionary outcomes of continued and strong selection from glyphosate exposure, we characterized variation in resistance in self-pollinating Conyza canadensis (horseweed) in Ohio and Iowa, where glyphosate resistance was first reported in 2002 and 2011, respectively. In 2015, we collected seeds from a total of 74 maternal plants (biotypes) from no-till soybean fields vs. non-agricultural sites in each state, using one representative plant per site. Young plants from each biotype were sprayed with glyphosate rates of 0x, 1x (840 g ae ha-1), 8x, 20x, or 40x. Resistant biotypes with at least 80% survival at each dosage were designated as R1 (1x), R2 (8x), R3 (20x), or R4 (40x). Nearly all Ohio agricultural biotypes were R4, as were 62% of biotypes from the non-agricultural sites. In Iowa, R4 biotypes were clustered in the southeastern soybean fields, where no-till agriculture is more common, and 45% of non-agricultural biotypes were R1-R4. Our results show that resistance levels to glyphosate can be very high (at least 40x) in both states, and that non-agricultural sites likely serve as a refuge for glyphosate-resistant biotypes.

Investigation of glyphosate resistance levels and target-site based resistance (TSR) mechanisms in Conyza canadensis (L.) from apple orchards around areas of Bohai seas and Loess Plateau in China.

The resistance levels to glyphosate and target-site based resistance mechanisms in susceptible (S) and resistant (R) Conyza canadensis (L.) populations, which were collected from apple orchards around areas of Bohai seas and Loess Plateau in China, were investigated. Among forty C. canadensis populations, eighteen populations (45%) were still susceptible; fourteen populations (35%) evolved low resistance levels resistance to glyphosate with resistance index (RI) of 2.02 to 3.90. In contrast, eight populations (20%) evolved medium resistance levels with RI of 4.35 to 8.38. The shikimic acid concentrations in R populations were highly negative relative with the glyphosate resistance levels in C. canadensis, the Pearson correlation coefficient was -0.82 treated by glyphosate at 1.8mg/L. Three 5-enoylpyruvylshikimate 3'-phosphate synthase genes (EPSPS1, EPSPS2 and EPSPS3) were cloned in all S and glyphosate-resistant C. canadensis populations. No amino acid substitution was identified at site of 102 and 106 in three EPSPS genes, which were reported to confer glyphosate resistance in other weed species. The relative expression level of EPSPS mRNA in R populations (SD07, LN05, SHX06 and SD09) was 4.5 to 13.2 times higher than in S biotype. The Pearson correlation coefficient between EPSPS expression levels and RI was 0.79, which indicated the over expression of EPSPS mRNA may cause these R populations evolve higher resistance level to glyphosate.

Mechanisms of glyphosate resistance and response to alternative herbicide-based management in populations of the three Conyza species introduced in southern Spain.

BACKGROUND: In perennial crops, the most common method of weed control is to spray herbicides, and glyphosate has long been the first choice of farmers. Three species of the genus Conyza are among the most problematic weeds for farmers, exhibiting resistance to glyphosate. The objectives of this study were to evaluate resistance levels and mechanisms, and to test chemical control alternatives in putative resistant (R) populations of Conyza bonariensis, Conyza canadensis and Conyza sumatrensis. RESULTS: Plants from the three R populations of Conyza spp. survived high doses of glyphosate compared with plants from susceptible (S) populations. The rate of movement of 14 C glyphosate out of treated leaves in plants from S populations was higher than in plants from R populations. Only plants from the R population of C. sumatrensis contained the known target site 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase mutation Pro106-Thr. Field responses to the different alternative herbicide treatments tested indicated injury and high effectiveness in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that non-target site resistant (NTSR) mechanisms explain resistance in C. bonariensis and C. canadensis, whereas both NTSR and target site resistant (TSR) mechanisms contribute to resistance in C. sumatrensis. The results obtained in the field trials suggest that the resistance problem can be solved through integrated weed management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gene expression in response to glyphosate treatment in fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) - glyphosate death response and candidate resistance genes.

BACKGROUND: This study takes a whole-transcriptome approach to assess gene expression changes in response to glyphosate treatment in glyphosate-resistant fleabane. We assessed gene expression changes in both susceptible and resistant lines so that the glyphosate death response could be quantified, and constitutively expressed candidate resistance genes identified. There are three copies of the glyphosate target site (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate; EPSPS) gene in Conyza and because Conyza bonariensis is allohexaploid, there is a baseline nine copies of the gene in any individual. RESULTS: Many genes were differentially expressed in response to glyphosate treatment. Known resistance mutations are present in EPSPS2 but they are present in a glyphosate-susceptible line as well as resistant lines and therefore not sufficient to confer resistance. EPSPS1 is expressed four times more than EPSPS2, further reducing the overall contribution of these mutations. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that glyphosate resistance in C. bonariensis is not the result of EPSPS mutations or overexpression, but due to a non-target-site mechanism. A large number of genes are affected by glyphosate treatment. We present a list of candidate non-target-site-resistance (NTSR) genes in fleabane for future studies into these mechanisms. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Transcription of putative tonoplast transporters in response to glyphosate and paraquat stress in Conyza bonariensis and Conyza canadensis and selection of reference genes for qRT-PCR.

Herbicide resistance is a challenge for modern agriculture further complicated by cases of resistance to multiple herbicides. Conyza bonariensis and Conyza canadensis are invasive weeds of field crops, orchards, and non-cropped areas in many parts of the world. In California, USA, Conyza populations resistant to the herbicides glyphosate and paraquat have recently been described. Although the mechanism conferring resistance to glyphosate and paraquat in these species was not elucidated, reduced translocation of these herbicides was observed under experimental conditions in both species. Glyphosate and paraquat resistance associated with reduced translocation are hypothesized to be a result of sequestration of herbicides into the vacuole, with the possible involvement of over-expression of genes encoding tonoplast transporters of ABC-transporter families in cases of glyphosate resistance or cationic amino acid transporters (CAT) in cases of paraquat resistance. However, gene expression in response to herbicide treatment has not been studied in glyphosate and paraquat resistant populations. In the current study, we evaluated the transcript levels of genes possibly involved in resistance using real-time PCR. First, we evaluated eight candidate reference genes following herbicide treatment and selected three genes that exhibited stable expression profiles; ACTIN, HEAT-SHOCK-PROTEIN-70, and CYCLOPHILIN. The reference genes identified here can be used for further studies related to plant-herbicide interactions. We used these reference genes to assay the transcript levels of EPSPS, ABC transporters, and CAT in response to herbicide treatment in susceptible and resistant Conyza spp. lines. No transcription changes were observed in EPSPS or CAT genes after glyphosate or paraquat treatment, suggesting that these genes are not involved in the resistance mechanism. Transcription of the two ABC transporter genes increased following glyphosate treatment in all Conyza spp. lines. Transcription of ABC transporters also increased after paraquat treatment in all three lines of C. bonariensis. However, in C. canadensis, paraquat treatment increased transcription of only one ABC transporter gene in the susceptible line. The increase in transcription of ABC transporters after herbicide treatment is likely a stress response based on similar response observed across all Conyza lines regardless of resistance or sensitivity to glyphosate or paraquat, thus these genes do not appear to be directly involved in the mechanism of resistance in Conyza spp.

Comparative proteomic analysis of horseweed (Conyza canadensis) biotypes identifies candidate proteins for glyphosate resistance.

Emergence of glyphosate-resistant horseweed (Conyza canadensis) biotypes is an example of how unrelenting use of a single mode of action herbicide in agricultural weed control drives genetic adaptation in targeted species. While in other weeds glyphosate resistance arose from target site mutation or target gene amplification, the resistance mechanism in horseweed uses neither of these, being instead linked to reduced herbicide uptake and/or translocation. The molecular components underpinning horseweed glyphosate-resistance remain unknown. Here, we used an in vitro leaf disc system for comparative analysis of proteins extracted from control and glyphosate-treated tissues of glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-susceptible biotypes. Analysis of shikimic acid accumulation, ABC-transporter gene expression, and cell death were used to select a suitable glyphosate concentration and sampling time for enriching proteins pivotal to glyphosate resistance. Protein gel analysis and mass spectrometry identified mainly chloroplast proteins differentially expressed between the biotypes before and after glyphosate treatment. Chloroplasts are the organelles in which the shikimate pathway, which is targeted by glyphosate, is located. Calvin cycle enzymes and proteins of unknown function were among the proteins identified. Our study provides candidate proteins that could be pivotal in engendering resistance and implicates chloroplasts as the primary sites driving glyphosate-resistance in horseweed.

Non-target-site glyphosate resistance in Conyza bonariensis is based on modified subcellular distribution of the herbicide.

BACKGROUND: Conyza spp. were the first broadleaf weeds reported to have evolved glyphosate resistance. Several mechanisms have been proposed for glyphosate resistance. In an effort to elucidate the mechanism of this resistance in Conyza bonariensis, possible target-site and non-target-site mechanisms were investigated in glyphosate-resistant (GR) C. bonariensis biotypes. RESULTS: Using differential glyphosate applications and analyses of shikimate accumulation, we followed the herbicide effect in different plant organs and monitored the herbicide's apparent mobility. We found high shikimate levels in the roots and young leaves of glyphosate-sensitive (GS) plants, regardless of the site of application, whereas in GR plants, shikimate accumulated mainly in treated young leaves. 14 C-glyphosate studies, however, revealed the expected source-to-sink translocation pattern in both GS and GR plants. Sequencing of the appropriate EPSPS DNA fragments of GR and GS plants revealed no alteration at the Pro106 position. CONCLUSION: These data support the hypothesis that the glyphosate resistance of our C. bonariensis GR biotypes is associated with altered subcellular distribution of glyphosate, which keeps the herbicide sequestered away from the EPSPS target site in the chloroplast. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biology and management of two important Conyza weeds: a global review.

Weed management is one of the prime concerns for sustainable crop production. Conyza bonariensis and Conyza canadensis are two of the most problematic, noxious, invasive and widespread weeds in modern-day agriculture. The biology, ecology and interference of C. bonariensis and C. canadensis have been reviewed here to highlight pragmatic management options. Both these species share a unique set of biological features, which enables them to invade and adapt a wide range of environmental conditions. Distinct reproductive biology and an efficient seed dispersal mechanism help these species to spread rapidly. Ability to interfere strongly and to host crop pests makes these two species worst weeds of cropping systems. These weed species cause 28-68 % yield loss in important field crops such as soybean and cotton every year. These weeds are more prevalent in no-till systems and, thus, becoming a major issue in conservation agriculture. Cultural practices such as crop rotations, seed rate manipulation, mulching, inter-row tillage and narrow row spacing may provide an effective control of these species. However, such methods are not feasible and applicable under all types of conditions. Different herbicides also provide a varying degree of control depending on crop, agronomic practices, herbicide dose, application time and season. However, both these species have evolved resistance against multiple herbicides, including glyphosate and paraquat. The use of alternative herbicides and integrated management strategies may provide better control of herbicide-resistant C. bonariensis and C. canadensis. Management plans based on the eco-biological interactions of these species may prove sustainable in the future.

Effects of nozzle types and 2,4-D formulations on spray deposition.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of nozzle types and 2,4-D formulations on spray deposition on different targets. Two field experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design, and treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme. Species in experiment 1 were Sumatran fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis) and Brazil pusley (Richardia brasiliensis) and in experiment 2 were soybeans (Glycine max) and Benghal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis). For both experiments, the first factor corresponded to spray nozzles with different settings (AD 110.015 - 61 and 105 L ha-1; AD 015-D - 75 and 146 L ha-1; XR 110.0202 - 200 L ha-1; and ADIA-D 110.02 - 208 L ha-1) and the second factor consisted of two formulations of 2,4-D (amine and choline). The formulation of 2,4-D choline has contained Colex-D™ Technology. Similar or higher spray deposition was observed on the leaves and artificial targets when using 2,4-D choline as compared to the 2,4-D amine formulation, and these differences in deposition were more evident for nozzles applying lower spray volumes. Deposition was more affected by nozzle type when amine formulation was used, compared to choline formulation.

Lead tolerance mechanism in Conyza canadensis: subcellular distribution, ultrastructure, antioxidative defense system, and phytochelatins.

We used hydroponic experiments to examine the effects of different concentrations of lead (Pb) on the performance of the Pb-tolerable plant Conyza canadensis. In these experiments, most of the Pb was accumulated in the roots; there was very little Pb accumulated in stems and leaves. C. canadensis is able to take up significant amounts of Pb whilst greatly restricting its transportation to specific parts of the aboveground biomass. High Pb concentrations inhibited plant growth, increased membrane permeability, elevated antioxidant enzyme activity in roots, and caused a significant increase in root H2O2 and malondialdehyde content. Analysis of Pb content at the subcellular level showed that most Pb was associated with the cell wall fraction, followed by the nucleus-rich fraction, and with a minority present in the mitochondrial and soluble fractions. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis of root cells revealed that the cell wall and intercellular space in C. canadensis roots are the main locations of Pb accumulation. Additionally, high Pb concentrations adversely affected the cellular structure of C. canadensis roots. The increased enzyme activity suggests that the antioxidant system may play an important role in eliminating or alleviating Pb toxicity in C. canadensis roots. However, the levels of non-protein sulfhydryl compounds, glutathione, and phytochelatin did not significantly change in either the roots or leaves under Pb-contaminated treatments. Our results provide strong evidence that cell walls restrict Pb uptake into the root and act as an important barrier protecting root cells, while demonstrating that antioxidant enzyme levels are correlated with Pb exposure. These findings demonstrate the roles played by these detoxification mechanisms in supporting Pb tolerance in C. canadensis.

From sensitivity to resistance - factors affecting the response of Conyza spp. to glyphosate.

BACKGROUND: Conyza bonariensis and C. canadensis are troublesome weeds, particularly in fields with minimum tillage, on roadsides and in perennial crops. The distribution of these difficult-to-control species is further increased by the spread of glyphosate-resistant populations. A preliminary investigation has demonstrated the existence of various degrees of glyphosate tolerance/resistance in these populations, underscoring the need to examine the relationship between glyphosate efficacy and plant growth conditions. RESULTS: In populations exposed to glyphosate at different temperatures, glyphosate tolerance increased linearly as the temperature was increased, whereas when grown under the same temperatures, they largely responded similarly to the herbicide. Furthermore, the sensitivity of plants to glyphosate decreased significantly with plant age and increased following temporal exposure to shading. Dose-response studies confirmed the glyphosate resistance of four C. bonariensis populations that were 8-30 times more resistant to glyphosate than the most glyphosate-sensitive population. These populations retained their characteristic glyphosate resistance even under unfavourable growth conditions. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the effect of glyphosate on both Conyza species is strongly linked to growing conditions. This has great importance for our understanding of glyphosate resistance and for control of these weeds in agricultural systems. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Physiological, morphological and biochemical studies of glyphosate tolerance in Mexican Cologania (Cologania broussonetii (Balb.) DC.).

In recent years, glyphosate-tolerant legumes have been used as cover crops for weed management in tropical areas of Mexico. Mexican cologania (Cologania broussonetii (Balb.) DC.) is an innate glyphosate-tolerant legume with a potential as a cover crop in temperate areas of the country. In this work, glyphosate tolerance was characterized in two Mexican cologania (a treated (T) and an untreated (UT)) populations as being representatives of the species, compared in turn to a glyphosate-susceptible hairy fleabane (S) (Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq.) population. Experiments revealed that T and UT Mexican cologania populations had a higher tolerance index (TI), and a lower shikimic acid accumulation and foliar retention than the hairy fleabane S population. Absorption and translocation, leaf morphology and metabolism studies were only carried out in the Mexican cologania T population and the hairy fleabane S population. The latter absorbed 37% more (14)C-glyphosate compared to the Mexican cologania T at 96 h after treatment (HAT). Mexican cologania T translocated less herbicide from the treated leaf to the remainder of the plant than hairy fleabane S. The Mexican cologania T presented a greater epicuticular wax coverage percentage than the hairy fleabane S. This morphological characteristic contributed to the low glyphosate absorption observed in the Mexican cologania. In addition, the Mexican cologania T metabolized glyphosate mainly into AMPA, formaldehyde and sarcosine. These results indicate that the high glyphosate tolerance observed in Mexican cologania is mainly due to the poor penetration and translocation of glyphosate into the active site, and the high glyphosate degradation into non-toxic substances.