Herbicide resistance cases in South Africa: A review of the current state of knowledge

Abstract

Herbicides play a major role in weed management worldwide. However, herbicide resistance is a global challenge that threatens weed management and sustainable agriculture. In South Africa, over 36 years, ten weed species have evolved resistance to five modes of action. In this review, cases of herbicide resistance that were published in scientific journals, proceedings of congresses, theses or dissertations, and in the international survey of herbicide-resistant weeds, were included to give national and international scientists’ perspectives on the current status of herbicide resistance in South Africa. Since the last review was published in 2010, there have been new insights and novel techniques to document the molecular mechanism of herbicide-resistant weeds. Most cases of herbicide resistance in South Africa involved monocot and dicot weeds which are problematic in various cropping systems such as Lolium spp. (annual ryegrass), Phalaris spp. (canary grass), Avena spp. (wild oats), and Raphanus raphanistrum L. (wild radish). Understanding the extent of herbicide resistance and the molecular mechanism involved in herbicide resistance is paramount to developing novel techniques to manage herbicide-resistant weeds. Significance: Data presented in this review help raise awareness of the threat of herbicide resistance in South Africa. Herbicide resistance in South Africa continues to evolve steadily through a wide range of weed species and modes of action.