Glyphosate- and Imazapic-Resistant Chloris virgata Populations in the Southeastern Cropping Region of Australia

Abstract

Chloris virgata is one of the most problematic summer grass species in southeastern Australia. A total of 40 populations of C. virgata were evaluated in the spring–summer season of 2021–2022 in an open environment at the Gatton Farms of the University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia, for their response to two acetyl-coenzyme-A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors (clethodim and haloxyfop), a 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) inhibitor (glyphosate), and an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor (imazapic). In the first experiment, all populations were screened at the field rate of each herbicide, and the second experiment evaluated the response of seven populations of C. virgata to different rates of glyphosate and imazapic. There were three replications of each treatment and both experiments were repeated over time. None of the populations survived the field rate of clethodim and haloxyfop, possibly suggesting a low exposure of the populations to these herbicides. Individuals in about 90% of populations survived (1% to 100% of individuals surviving) the field rates of glyphosate and individuals in all populations survived (1% to 100%) the imazapic field rate. The dose-response study revealed up to 14- and 5-fold glyphosate resistance in C. virgata populations based on survival and biomass values, respectively, compared to the most susceptible population. Imazapic resistance was up to 2.3- and 16-fold greater than the most susceptible population in terms of survival and biomass values, respectively. The increased cases of glyphosate- and imazapic-resistant C. virgata warrant a nationwide survey and diversified management strategies.