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Multiple herbicide resistance in grass weeds
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pr601-final-report-summary-v2 pr601-final-project-report-v2About this project
Abstract
Evolved resistance to herbicides in black-grass is a major constraint to cereal production in the UK. This project examined the evolution and management of herbicide resistance in black-grass, from the genetic to the agroecosystem level.
Multiple herbicide resistance (MHR), whereby black-grass evolves resistance to multiple active agents irrespective of chemistry or mode of action, has been a particular focus for the project.
Arranged into five work packages, the project has addressed five key questions:
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What is the molecular physiological basis of MHR?
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What is the extent and impact of MHR?
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What are the major drivers of resistance evolution?
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Can applied evolutionary models aid in resistance management?
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What are the economic and environmental consequences of novel weed and resistance management?
Cutting-edge research approaches were used to understand herbicide resistance and its evolution in the field. The results were used to develop new tools and knowledge for black-grass management.
The key outcomes from the programme are:
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Key proteins that are causatively linked to MHR have been identified.
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Understanding how these proteins function in resistance and how they could be disrupted in future have been improved.
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Evidence for sub-types of MHR, linked to specific herbicide chemistries, has been found.
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Latent viruses in black-grass, which could be of value in future biocontrol programmes, have been characterised.
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Epigenetic mechanisms were deemed unlikely to be an evolutionary driver of MHR inheritance.
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The first evidence for active roles for transporter proteins functioning in MHR and their coupled function with detoxifying enzymes was found.
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Practical diagnostics for MHR in black-grass, which can be used to detect resistance in the field in 10 minutes, have been developed.
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A national audit of resistant black-grass populations has been conducted an linked to previous management.
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A characterised collection of herbicide resistant black-grass populations provide an essential research resource.
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Knowledge that can help reduce the likelihood of resistance evolution has been underpinned.
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Predictive models of herbicide resistance have been aligned to on-farm decisions.
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Environmental and economic valuation of cost and mitigation of resistance has been published.
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