Paraquat resistance in horseweed (Conyza canadensis) and Virginia pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum) from Essex County, Ontario

Abstract

Populations of horseweed and Virginia pepperweed resistant to the herbicide paraquat were found in several fruit orchards in Essex County, Ontario, Canada, where paraquat had been applied four to five times per year for at least 10 yr. Dose–response experiments were conducted in the greenhouse for each species, using 2-to 4-mo-old plants from populations that had received repeated exposure to paraquat and those that had not. The paraquat dose that reduced shoot dry weight by 50% (ED50) was estimated for each population. Resistant populations of horseweed had ED50 values 25 to 35 times higher than susceptible populations. A resistant population of Virginia pepperweed had an ED50 10 times higher than susceptible populations.