Determination of ACCase Sensitivity and Gene Expression in Quizalofop–Ethyl-Resistant and -Susceptible Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) Biotypes

Abstract

Mechanisms of herbicide resistance were studied in a quizalofop–ethyl-resistant barnyardgrass biotype. Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) sensitivity to quizalofop-p-ethyl was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and the trend in ACCase gene expression over time was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that an insensitive ACCase was present in Geqiushan resistant plants (R), with a resistance index of 106. The basal ACCase activities in Geqiushan R and Geqiushan susceptible plants (S) were similar, at 1.20 and 1.17 ng malonyl-CoA min−1µg−1extract protein, respectively. Basal ACCase gene expression in Geqiushan R was similar to that in Geqiushan S. The relative expression of ACCase gene decreased after spraying quizalofop–ethyl at 60 g ai ha−1in Geqiushan S, whereas it was almost not changed in Geqiushan R. From these results we concluded that plastid ACCase sensitivity change might be responsible for the resistance and gene overexpression does not play a role in this resistance.