Glyphosate: The world's most successful herbicide under intense scientific scrutiny

The ancestral karyotype of the Heliantheae Alliance, herbicide resistance, and human allergens: Insights from the genomes of common and giant ragweed

Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Ambrosia trifida (Asteraceae) are important pest species and the two greatest sources of aeroallergens globally. Here, we took advantage of a hybrid to simplify genome assembly and present chromosome-level assemblies for both species. These assemblies show high levels of completeness with Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) scores of 94.5% for A. artemisiifolia and 96.1% for A. trifida and long terminal repeat (LTR) Assembly Index values of 26.6 and 23.6, respectively. The genomes were annotated using RNA data identifying 41,642 genes in A. artemisiifolia and 50,203 in A. trifida. More than half of the genome is composed of repetitive elements, with 62% in A. artemisiifolia and 69% in A. trifida. Single copies of herbicide resistance-associated genes PPX2L, HPPD, and ALS were found, while two copies of the EPSPS gene were identified; this latter observation may reveal a possible mechanism of resistance to the herbicide glyphosate. Ten of the 12 main allergenicity genes were also localized, some forming clusters with several copies, especially in A. artemisiifolia. The evolution of genome structure has differed among these two species. The genome of A. trifida has undergone greater rearrangement, possibly the result of chromoplexy. In contrast, the genome of A. artemisiifolia retains a structure that makes the allotetraploidization of the most recent common ancestor of the Heliantheae Alliance the clearest feature of its genome. When compared to other Heliantheae Alliance species, this allowed us to reconstruct the common ancestor's karyotype-a key step for furthering of our understanding of the evolution and diversification of this economically and allergenically important group.

Both acute glyphosate and the aminomethylphosphonic acid intoxication decreased the acetylcholinesterase activity in rat hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and gastrocnemius muscle

It has been reported that glyphosate, one of the most common herbicides used in agriculture, impairs locomotion and cognition. Glyphosate has a variable half-life in soil up to biotic and/or abiotic factors transform the molecule in metabolites such as the aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) that has a longer half-life. In this study, female Sprague Dawley rats were acutely exposed to different doses of glyphosate or AMPA (i.e. 10, 56 or 100 mg/kg) and, subsequently, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the gastrocnemius muscle. Both glyphosate and AMPA produced a similar decrease in the AChE activity in all the tissues tested. These results suggest that interference with normal cholinergic neurotransmission may be one of the mechanisms involved in glyphosate-induced motor alterations in rats. Moreover, our results highlight the biological importance of AMPA as a molecule with anticholinesterase action in brain and skeletal muscle. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing in vivo that AMPA, the major metabolite of glyphosate, behaves as an organophosphate.

Herbicide Resistance Is Increasing in Spain: Concomitant Management and Prevention

Herbicide-resistant weeds currently challenge sustainable food production in almost all cropping systems in Europe. Herbicide resistance is increasing, and some European countries are among the most affected globally, such as Spain and France. This situation is worsening not only due to herbicide use restrictions but also due to climate change, rendering Mediterranean countries such as Spain particularly susceptible. Therefore, focus should be aimed at preventive measures, which include those not only based on integrated weed management strategies but also based on a very good knowledge of the biology and ecology of each weed species. The main objective of this review is to provide an overview of potential future herbicide-resistant cases that can evolve in the near future in Europe. We use Spain as the case study, as it is the most affected country in Europe and because it is at risk due to global warming. For different resistant cases detailed on a crop basis, adequate prevention and management measures will be provided in order to avoid resistance evolution relative to the sites of action that are most likely to generate resistant biotypes due to expected high selection pressures.

Glyphosate resistance in Chloris radiata from colombian rice fields involves one target-site mechanism

At present, appearance of herbicide resistant weeds is not new because repeated herbicide treatments per agricultural year/cycle are usual in both perennial and annual crops worldwide. Characterizing resistance mechanisms implied in each herbicide resistant weed is the best tool and the basis to develop integrated weed management (IWM) strategies. The main resistance mechanisms which confer low sensibility to glyphosate in a previously confirmed glyphosate-resistant Chloris radiata population (ChrR), occurring in Colombian rice fields, were characterized. Pure line selection by clone plants showed high resistance levels in ChrR. Comparing with GR50 and LD50 values, ChrR was 9.6 and 10.8 times more resistant with respect to a representative susceptible population (ChrS). The nontarget site mechanisms reduced glyphosate absorption and translocation did not contribute to the glyphosate resistance of the ChrR population. However, enzyme activity assays and DNA sequencing demonstrated that at least one target-site resistance mechanism is involved in such resistance. All ten ChrR plants tested had the amino acid substitution Pro-106-Ser. The results may be crucial to decrease the resistance distribution of C. radiata in Colombia by implementing IWM programs. The change in weed control strategies in rice fields from Colombia must include herbicides with different mode of action from glyphosate and non chemical methods to preserve the useful life of glyphosate longer for weed control in the country.

Effect of Different Climate Change Variables on the Ecology and Management of Sesbania cannabina through Glyphosate

An elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration and frequent droughts are two anticipated climate change scenarios in which certain invasive weeds may develop competitive advantages over crops and adversely impact productivity and herbicide efficacy. Hence, a study was conducted to explore the effect of different climatic scenarios on the growth and management of Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Pers with glyphosate. The variables investigated were two CO₂ concentrations (400 and 700 ppm), two soil moisture levels (100% and 50% of field capacity (FC)), and three glyphosate rates (0 (control), 517 (50% of recommended rate), and 1034 g ae ha^-1 (recommended rate)). CO₂ concentrations and soil moisture levels had different effects on the growth and management of S. cannabina. Overall, 100% FC and elevated [CO₂] of 700 ppm recorded the maximum plant height (38 cm), leaves per plant (20), growth index (60), chlorophyll content (SPAD value 37), and dry biomass (3 g) in comparison with ambient [CO₂] of 400 ppm and 50% FC treatment. The recommended glyphosate application gave 100% weed biomass reduction; however, efficacy was reduced (63%) when applied at 50% of the recommended rate under elevated [CO₂] of 700 ppm and 50% FC conditions.

Glyphosate and nickel differently affect photosynthesis and ethylene in glyphosate-resistant soybean plants infected by Phakopsora pachyrhizi

Nickel (Ni) and glyphosate (Gl) are able to reduce the symptoms of Asian soybean rust (ASR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, in soybean. However, their combined effects on the energy balance and ethylene metabolism of soybean plants infected with this fungus has not been elucidated. Therefore, the effects of Ni, Gl, and the combination of Ni + Gl on ASR development, photosynthetic capacity, sugar concentrations, and ethylene concentrations in plants of a Gl-resistant cultivar, uninfected or infected with P. pachyrhizi, were investigated. Inoculated plants supplied with Ni had the highest foliar Ni concentration in all the treatments. Gl had a negative effect on the foliar Ni concentration in Ni-sprayed plants. The ASR severity was reduced in plants sprayed with Ni and Gl. Carotenoid and chlorophyll concentrations were higher in inoculated Ni, Gl, and Ni + Gl plants than in control plants. Based on the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, the photosynthetic apparatus of the control inoculated plants was damaged, and the least amount of energy was directed to the photochemistry process in these plants. The reduced capacity of the photosynthetic mechanism to capture light and use the energy absorbed by photosystem II in inoculated plants was reflected in their reduced capacity to process CO2 , as indicated by the high internal CO2 concentrations and low rates of net carbon assimilation. The low sugar concentrations in inoculated plants from the control treatment were linked to their reduced photosynthetic capacity due to the high ASR severity. In uninfected plants, the ethylene concentration was not affected by Ni or Gl, while the ethylene concentration decreased in inoculated plants; this decrease was more pronounced in plants from the control treatment than in treated inoculated plants. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the role played by both Ni and Gl in ASR control from a physiological perspective. Soybean plants exposed to Ni and Gl were able to maintain high ethylene concentrations and photosynthetic capacity during the P. pachyrhizi infection process; as a result, these plants consumed less of their reserves than inoculated plants not treated with Ni or Gl.

Resistance to Fomesafen, Imazamox and Glyphosate in Euphorbia heterophylla from Brazil

Euphorbia heterophylla is a species of weed that was previously controlled by fomesafen, imazamox and glyphosate, but continued use of these herbicides has selected resistant populations from the Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). One resistant (R) strain and one susceptible (S) strain to fomesafen, imazamox and glyphosate were compared, the latter by recurrent selection. Dose-response tests showed multiple resistance to these herbicides. The required imazamox concentration to inhibit ALS by 50% was approximately 16 times greater in the R population than in the S population. Based on the EPSPS activity results, the R population was 10 fold less sensitive to glyphosate than the S counterpart. In addition, basal EPSPS activity from R plants was 3.3 fold higher than the level detected on S plants. The Proto IX assays showed high resistance to fomesafen in the R population that accumulated less Proto IX than the S population. Malathion assays showed the participation of CytP450 in fomesafen resistance, but a molecular mechanism could also be involved. To our knowledge, this is the first characterisation of multiple resistance to these three groups of herbicides in E. heterophylla in the world.

Resistance Evolution to EPSPS Inhibiting Herbicides in False Barley (Hordeum murinum) Harvested in Southern Spain

A failure of the EPSPS-inhibiting herbicide glyphosate to control several populations of Hordeum murinum subsp. leporinum (or H. murinum) occurred in southern Spain after more than fifteen applications in both crop (olive, orchards, and citrus) and non-crop (dry areas, roadsides and ditches) areas. Eight out of 18 populations studied were resistant (R) to glyphosate with R factors higher than four based on GR50. These populations also had the highest values of LD50 and the lowest levels of shikimic acid accumulation. Two adjuvants tested increased glyphosate efficacy in both susceptible (S) and R populations thanks to better spray foliar retention. Moreover, PS I-, PS II-, and ACCase-inhibiting herbicides, in pre- or post-emergence, proved to be the best chemical alternatives with different sites of action (SoA) to control both S and glyphosate-R populations. This study represents the first report worldwide of glyphosate resistance in H. murinum found in very different crop and non-crop areas from southern Spain. To design chemical strategies to implement integrated weed management programs for glyphosate-R H. murinum, both adjuvants and herbicides with alternative SoA as well as application timings should be considered.

New Case of False-Star-Grass (Chloris distichophylla) Population Evolving Glyphosate Resistance

Chloris distichophylla, suspected of glyphosate resistance (GR), was collected from areas of soybean cultivation in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A comparison was made with a susceptible population (GS) to evaluate the resistance level, mechanisms involved, and control alternatives. Glyphosate doses required to reduce the dry weight (GR50) or cause a mortality rate of 50% (LD50) were around 5.1–3 times greater in the GR population than in the GS population. The shikimic acid accumulation was around 6.2-fold greater in GS plants than in GR plants. No metabolized glyphosate was found in either GR or GS plants. Both populations did not differ in the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) basal activity or in vitro inhibition of EPSPS activity by glyphosate (I50). The maximum glyphosate absorption was observed at 96 hours after treatment (HAT), which was twofold higher in the GS plants than in the GR plants. This confirms the first case of glyphosate resistance in C. distichophylla. In addition, at 96 HAT, the GS plants translocated more 14C-glyphosate than the GR ones. The best options for the chemical control of both C. distichophylla populations were clethodim, quizalofop, paraquat, glufosinate, tembotrione, diuron, and atrazine. The first case of glyphosate resistance in C. distichophylla was due to impaired uptake and translocation. Chemical control using multiple herbicides with different modes of action (MOA) could be a tool used for integrated weed management (IWM) programs.

Herbicidal activity of isobenzofuranones and in silico identification of their enzyme target

BACKGROUND

Given the weed resistance to various herbicides with different mechanisms of action, the search for new compounds that are more effective and exhibit low levels of impact to other species in nature has been imperative in the field of the agriculture. For this purpose, 16 phthalides, and furan-2(5H)-one were synthetized and evaluated for their effectiveness as herbicides in seeds of Sorghum bicolor (sorghum), Cucumis sativus (cucumber), and Allium cepa (onion). Furthermore, a preliminary in silico study was carried out to identify the enzyme target of the most active compounds.

RESULTS

In the assays with S. bicolor, the mixture rac-(3aR,4R,5S,6S,7S,7aS)-5,6-dibromohexahydro-4,7-methanoisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one + rac-(3aR,4R,5R,6R,7S,7aS)-5,6-dibromohexahydro-4,7-methanoisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (15a + 15b) showed comparable inhibitory activity to (S)-metolachlor, which was used as control herbicide at concentrations ranging from 50 μm to 1000 μm. The developments of the seeds evaluated were altered by all 17 compounds, either stimulating or inhibiting. The best results were presented by compounds 15a, and 15b, either in their pure form or as a mixture.

CONCLUSION

The results presented by 15a, and 15b were superior to the activity of the commercial herbicide (S)-metolachlor in the assays with C. sativus, and A. cepa. The in silico study provides strong evidence that the most active compounds bind to strigolactones esterases D14 through the same binding site of (5R)-5-hydroxy-3-methylfuran-2(5H)-one (H3M), which is one of the strigolactones (SLs) cleavage products. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on soil animal trophic groups and associated ecosystem functioning in a northern agricultural field

Despite an increasing concern of consequences of using vast amounts of glyphosate-based herbicides in agroecosystems, their potential effects on non-target soil organisms and soil functioning are mostly unknown. It has also been argued that fields in northern latitudes should be under special surveillance as the short active period of decomposers may restrict glyphosate degradation. We investigated the effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup, on the abundance of enchytraeids and nematodes, both essential groups in decomposer food webs, and plant litter mass loss and soil availability of mineral N in a two-year agricultural field setting in south-west Finland. Our experiment consisted of (1) non-treated weed plots, (2) plots, where weeds were killed by hoeing, and (3) plots treated with both Roundup and hoeing. We found that killing plants by hoeing had drastic effects on soil fauna and functioning, and apparently, distinguishing these effects from direct glyphosate effects is profoundly important when evaluating glyphosate risks in soils. In contrast, the effects of Roundup on soil fauna and functioning were minor and transient and no glyphosate remains were found in the soil at the end of the experiment. These results suggest that side-effects can be minor and glyphosate degradation effective also in soil under northern climatic conditions.

Carfentrazone-ethyl and glyphosate drift inhibits uredinial formation of Austropuccinia psidii on Eucalyptus grandis leaves

BACKGROUND

The response to infection of Austropuccinia psidii in resistant (CLR-383) and susceptible (CLR-384) Eucalyptus grandis clones, exposed to herbicide drift of carfentrazone-ethyl, glyphosate and a mixture of these two herbicides, was evaluated at microscopic and physiological levels.

RESULTS

Plants of the two clones showed symptoms of phytotoxicity caused by herbicide drift. However, net CO2 assimilation rate, height and shoot dry matter were lower in CLR-384 than in CLR-383. At the ultrastructure level, the leaves of both clones exposed to the herbicides showed thylakoid disorganization and accumulation of starch grains in the chloroplasts. Only plants of CLR-384 were infected by A. psidii, but when exposed to herbicide drift, rust severity was lower than in control plants. Six days after inoculation (dai), plants of this clone exposed to the herbicides had smaller uredinia than control plants. At 12 dai, non-herbicide treated plants showed normal uredinia, containing abundant urediniospores. By contrast, plants exposed to the herbicides were less colonized by the fungus, and the uredinia were smaller with reduced production of urediniospores, which were sometimes not even detected.

CONCLUSION

Glyphosate and carfentrazone-ethyl herbicide drift reduce infection and uredinial formation of A. psidii and to some extent induce basal resistance in a susceptible clone of E. grandis. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.