Foliar applied postemergence herbicides are a critical component of corn and soybean weed management programs in North America. Rainfall and air temperature around the time of application may affect the efficacy of herbicides applied postemergence in corn or soybean production fields. However, previous research utilized a limited number of site-years and may not capture the range of rainfall and air temperatures that these herbicides are exposed to throughout North America. The objective of this research was to model the probability of achieving successful weed control (≥85%) with commonly applied postemergence herbicides across a broad range of environments. A large database of over 10,000 individual herbicide evaluation field trials conducted throughout North America was used in this study. The database was filtered to include only trials with a single postemergence application of fomesafen, glyphosate, mesotrione, or fomesafen + glyphosate. Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuburculatus (Moq.) J. D. Sauer), morningglory species (Ipomoea spp.), and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.) were the weeds of focus. Separate random forest models were created for each weed species by herbicide combination. The probability of successful weed control deteriorated when the average air temperature within the first ten d after application was <19 or >25 C for most of the herbicide by weed species models. Additionally, dryer conditions prior to postemergence herbicide application reduced the probability of successful control for several of the herbicide by weed species models. As air temperatures increase and rainfall becomes more variable, weed control with many of the commonly used postemergence herbicides is likely to become less reliable.

Efficient chemical weed management considers precise application of herbicides, maximizing herbicide retention and absorption, reducing the impact of abiotic factors, and mitigating off-target movement in order to optimize herbicide efficacy. Hence, this study assessed the employability and cost-efficiency of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for pre-planting application and post-emergence selective grass weed control infesting legume cover crops (LCCs) in immature oil palm (Elaeis quineensis Jacq.) plantation. Field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 at a research center and an oil palm replanting area in Jerantut, Pahang, Malaysia. Droplet deposition and distribution analyses revealed that the pressure at 0.25 MPa yielded better spraying coverage and increased droplet counts compared to 0.15 MPa. For pre-planting application, both UAV and mist blower resulted in total weed control. Meanwhile for selective grass control in the LCCs, conventional knapsack sprayer (CKS) application provided slightly better weed control than the UAV over the 12 weeks observation. However, cost-efficiency analysis revealed that UAV spraying yielded economically favorable for areas over 3,000 hectares, with potential savings ranging from 4% to 28%. Furthermore, UAV spraying demonstrated superior operational efficiency and reduced working hours by 37%, water consumption by 91%, and human labor expenses by 81% compared to both conventional methods. These findings underscore the potential of UAV-based spraying for large-scale weed control in oil palm plantations and highlight its efficiency, comparable effectiveness, and cost-saving benefits.

Herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. spp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot] is a significant problem in multiple cropping systems because of its rapid growth, open pollination, prolific seed production, and multiple cases of resistance worldwide, except to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors. This research evaluated tiafenacil, a new PPO inhibitor, in mixtures with glutamine synthetase or acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides to manage resistant L. multiflorum populations. Tiafenacil efficacy against L. multiflorum was growth stage-dependent, with increased efficacy at earlier stages in greenhouse studies. The LD90 was 41.06 g ai ha-1 at BBCH23, and increased to 9.0-fold at BBCH33. Field studies indicated that changes in carrier volume did not affect tiafenacil’s efficacy; the highest tested rate of tiafenacil (75 g ai ha-1) reduced L. multiflorum inflorescence weight by 50-90%. Mixtures of tiafenacil and glufosinate (1,150 g ai ha-1) improved L. multiflorum control (+24-43%) and reduced inflorescence weight (+15-34%), particularly at the highest tested rates (50 and 75 g ai ha-1), suggesting synergistic effects based on Colby’s test. Tiafenacil with ACCase inhibitors improved L. multiflorum control (+19-49%) and inflorescence weight reduction (+8-13%). These mixtures exhibited an additive effect when combined with fluazifop and a synergistic effect with clethodim. Herbicide mixtures and application strategies are critical to effective L. multiflorum management. Tiafenacil, especially when used with glufosinate or ACCase inhibitors, offers an effective solution to L. multiflorum management and is a strategic tool against herbicide resistance, as resistance to PPO inhibitors has not evolved. Further research should assess practices to ensure the long-term viability of these mixtures for resistance management.

Weeds are one of the greatest challenges to snap bean production. Anecdotal observation posits certain species frequently escape the weed management system by the time of crop harvest, hereafter called residual weeds. The objectives of this work were to 1) quantify the residual weed community in snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown for processing across the major growing regions in the U.S., and 2) investigate linkages between the density of residual weeds and their contributions to weed canopy cover. In surveys of 358 fields across the Northwest (NW), Midwest (MW), and Northeast (NE), residual weeds were observed in 95% of the fields. While a total of 109 species or species-group were identified, one to three species dominated the residual weed community of individual fields in most cases. It was not uncommon to have >10 weeds m-2 with a weed canopy covering >5% of the field’s surface area. Some of the most abundant and problematic species or species-group escaping control included amaranth species (such as smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), and waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J. D. Sauer]), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.], and ivyleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea Jacq.). Emerging threats include hophornbeam copperleaf (Acalypha ostryifolia Riddell) in the MW and sharppoint fluvellin [Kickxia elatine (L.) Dumort.] in the NW. Beyond crop losses due to weed interference, the weed canopy at harvest poses a risk to contaminating snap bean products with foreign material. Random forest modeling predicts the residual weed canopy is dominated by common lambsquarters, large crabgrass, carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata L.), I. hederacea, amaranth species, and A. ostryifolia. This is the first quantitative report on the weed community escaping control in U.S. snap bean production.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and brown mustard (Brassica juncea L.) are winter cover crops known to produce allelochemicals that suppress plant growth. Incorporating barley or brown mustard residues into the soil prior to planting a spring-seeded cash crop may suppress early season weeds in the cash crop; however, the comparative levels of weed suppression offered by barley and brown mustard cover crops incorporated into soil have not been determined. This study analyzed the relative capacities of barley and brown mustard cover crops to suppress early season weeds of spring-seeded chile pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Reductions in weed density or hand hoeing time as a result of barley and/or brown mustard cover crop treatment were determined in two chile pepper fields in New Mexico over two growing seasons. For cover crop species that suppressed weeds in multiple site-years, a controlled environment study clarified possible growth stages adversely affected by determining the effects of cover crop-amended soil on the germination and seedling development of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson). Field study results indicated barley reduced early-season weed densities of chile pepper by up to 80% compared to the noncover control. Barley also reduced hoeing time in three of four site-years without affecting chile pepper fruit yield. Mustard cover crops reduced weed density in only one site-year (56% reduction relative to noncover control) and did not decrease hoeing time. The controlled environment study indicated that soil amended with barley slowed germination of A. palmeri without inhibiting seedling development. The results of this study indicate that a barley cover crop is more effective than brown mustard for early-season weed control of chile pepper in the southwestern United States.

Trifludimoxazin is a new herbicide that inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase and is targeted for commercial market introduction in North America, South America, and Asia. It will be available both as a standalone product and in a 1:2 mixture with saflufenacil. The herbicide is intended for use in preplant burndown (PPBD) and preemergence applications in cereal, corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and pulse crops to control a variety of annual broadleaf and grass weed species. Additionally, it is planned to be used in tree crops, oil-palm (Elaeis quineensis Jacq.), and non-crop areas.

In this study, we meticulously evaluated the performance and effectiveness of both the standalone herbicide and the innovative mixture concept in combating prevalent weeds commonly encountered in corn and soybean fields. Our findings revealed that both products exhibited exceptional efficacy, significantly reducing the presence of these troublesome weeds. Furthermore, the mixture concept not only demonstrated commendable soil mobility but also showcased impressive residual activity, positioning it as a powerful tool for sustainable weed control. These promising effects are further substantiated by our comprehensive ADME (Adsorption-Distribution-Metabolism-Extraction) studies, which provide insight into the behavior and longevity of the herbicides in the agricultural ecosystem.

Multiple herbicide-resistant (MHR) kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott] is a concern for farmers in the Great Plains. A total of 82 B. scoparia populations were collected from western Kansas (KS), western Oklahoma (OK), and High Plains of Texas (TX) during fall of 2018 and 2019 (from the various locations), and their herbicide resistance status was evaluated. The main objectives were to (1) determine the distribution and frequency of resistance to atrazine, chlorsulfuron, dicamba, fluroxypyr, and glyphosate; and (2) characterize the resistance levels to glyphosate, dicamba, and/or fluroxypyr in selected B. scoparia populations. Results indicated that 33, 100, 48, 30, and 70% of the tested B. scoparia populations were potentially resistant (≥20% survival frequency) to atrazine, chlorsulfuron, dicamba, fluroxypyr, and glyphosate, respectively. A three-way premixture of dichlorprop/dicamba/2,4-D provided 100% control of all the tested populations. Dose-response studies further revealed that KS-9 and KS-14 B. scoparia populations from KS were 5- to 10-fold resistant to dicamba, 3- to 6-fold resistant to fluroxypyr, and 4- to 5-fold resistant to glyphosate as compared to the susceptible (KS-SUS) population. Similarly, OK-10 and OK-11 populations from OK were 10- to 13-fold resistant to dicamba, 3- to 4-fold resistant to fluroxypyr and glyphosate compared to the OK-SUS population. TX-1 and TX-13 B. scoparia populations from TX were 2- to 4-fold resistant to dicamba and TX-1 was 5-fold resistant to glyphosate compared to the TX-SUS population. These results confirm the first report of dicamba and fluroxypyr-resistant B. scoparia from Oklahoma, and glyphosate and dicamba-resistant B. scoparia from TX. These results imply that adopting effective integrated weed management strategies (chemical and non-chemical) is required to mitigate the further spread of MHR B. scoparia in the region.

Transgressive segregation refers to the phenomenon whereby the progeny of a diverse cross exhibit phenotypes that fall outside the range of the parents for a particular trait of interest. Segregants that exceed the parental values in life history traits contributing to survival and reproduction may represent beneficial new allelic combinations that are fitter than respective parental genotypes. In this research, we use geographically disparate paraquat resistant biotypes of horseweed (Canada fleabane) [Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist; syn. Erigeron canadensis L.] to explore transgressive segregation in biomass accumulation and the inheritance of the paraquat resistance trait in this highly self-fertilizing species. Results of this research indicated that the paraquat resistance traits in E. canadensis biotypes originating in California, USA and Ontario, Canada were not conferred by single major gene mechanisms. Segregating generations from crosses among resistant and susceptible biotypes all displayed transgressive segregation in biomass accumulation in the absence of the original selective agent, paraquat. However, when challenged with a discriminating dose of paraquat, progeny from the crosses of susceptible x resistant and resistant x resistant biotypes displayed contrasting responses with those arising from the cross of two resistant biotypes no longer displaying transgressive segregation. These results support the prediction that transgressive segregation is frequently expressed in self-fertilizing lineages and is positively correlated with the genetic diversity of the parental genotypes. When exposed to a new environment, transgressive segregation was observed regardless of parental identity or history. However, if hybrid progenies were returned to the parental environment with exposure to paraquat, the identity of fittest genotype (i.e., parent or segregant) depends on the history of directional selection in the parental lineages and the dose to which the hybrid progeny was exposed. It is only in the original selective environment that the impact of allelic fixation on transgressive segregation can be observed.

Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] is one of the most problematic weeds in plasticulture strawberry [Fragaria × ananassa (Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier (pro sp.) [chiloenis × virginiana]] production systems in Florida. A 2-yr trial was implemented to evaluate the effects of different E. indica densities on strawberry growth and yield. Eleusine indica densities evaluated were 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.9, 2.7, and 3.8 plants m−2 equally distributed on the plastic-mulched bed top within the strawberry transplant holes. Eleusine indica density did not affect E. indica height or biomass. However, E. indica seed production was positively correlated with E. indica density in Season 1 and negatively correlated with E. indica density in Season 2. A negative linear regression was observed between E. indica density and strawberry yield in both seasons. For each increase in E. indica plants per square meter, strawberry yield was reduced by 316 and 2,356 kg ha−1 for Seasons 1 and 2, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of achieving adequate E. indica management to minimize yield losses.

Recently, farmers in Brazil have observed a decline in efficacy of glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr control of smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.). The objectives of this study were to quantify the resistance of Amaranthus in Brazil to glyphosate and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides, elucidate the mechanism of resistance, and assess the frequency of sensitivity shifts to glyphosate and chlorimuron in Brazil. Dose–response assays were conducted in a greenhouse with glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr. This was followed by sequencing of the EPSPS and ALS genes. Additionally , 740 Amaranthus populations across several Brazilian states were monitored over 4 yr, subjected to a single discriminatory dose of glyphosate and chlorimuron. The populations BR18Asp051 and BR21Asp205 were resistant to glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr. The elevated resistance level to glyphosate in these populations is attributed to multiple amino acid substitutions (TAP-IVS) in the EPSPS gene; and cross-resistance to sulfonylureas and imidazolinones is conferred by the Trp-574-Leu substitution in the ALS gene in both populations. Overall, resistance distribution indicated that 88% of the sampled populations were considered sensitive to glyphosate, while 66% were sensitive to chlorimuron. Furthermore, 10% of the samples demonstrated multiple resistance to both active ingredients. A shift in glyphosate sensitivity was observed in four states in Brazil; however, sensitivity shifts to chlorimuron were more widely dispersed in Brazilian agricultural regions.

Automatic detection and removal of weeds is a challenging task that requires precise sensors. While crops and weeds possess similar features in terms of appearance, they can be discriminated based on spectral information. This can be done because any object has its own specific spectral signature based on its physical structure and chemical contents. This study examined the use of wavelet transform and deep learning for discrimination of weeds from crops. A total of 626 spectral reflectances in the range of 380 to 1,000 nm were obtained for three crops (cucumber [Cucumis sativus L.], tomato [Solanum lycopersicum L.], and bell pepper [Capsicum annuum L.]) and five different weeds (bindweed [Convolvulus spp.], purple nutsedge [Cyperus rotundus L.], narrowleaf plantain [Plantago lanceolata L.], common cinquefoil [Potentilla simplex Michx.], and garden sorrel [Rumex acetosa L.]). Morse wavelet was employed to decompose the spectra and extract the scalograms, which are the RGB representations of the spectral data. Two deep convolutional neural networks (i.e., GoogLeNet and SqueezNet) were employed for the recognition of crops and weeds. In addition, six common classifiers, including linear discriminant analysis, quadratic discriminant analysis, linear support vector machine, quadratic support vector machine, artificial neural networks, and k-nearest neighbors classifier (KNN), were used for the task of crop/weed discrimination to build the comparison with the proposed method. The error of prediction gradually decreased, and a 100% correct classification was achieved after 258 iterations. Analysis showed that SqueezNet provided classification of 100% accuracy, while GoogLeNet’s accuracy was 97.8% for the test set. Among the common classifiers, KNN provided the highest accuracy (i.e., 100%). This study showed that the proposed method can be successfully utilized for classification of crops and weeds.

Mounting cases of herbicide-resistant waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer] in the U.S. Midwest have renewed the interest in nonchemical weed management strategies. Field experiments were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to quantify the effectiveness of a commercial combine equipped with a seed impact mill in preventing A. tuberculatus seed return to the soil seedbank in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Amaranthus tuberculatus seed shattering before crop harvest was quantified. Amaranthus tuberculatus started shattering seeds during the last week of August in both years. Overall, 51% of A. tuberculatus seeds were retained on the plant at harvest on October 23, 2021, compared with 61% at harvest on October 7, 2022. Viability of shattered A. tuberculatus seeds ranged from 84% to 94%. Additional seed shattering occurred when plants were disturbed by the combine header during soybean harvest, which caused 15% and 9% shattering in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Amaranthus tuberculatus seeds passed through the impact mill were grouped in three categories: no damage, moderate damage, and severe damage. In 2021, A. tuberculatus seeds with moderate damage had 26% lower germination and viability than seeds with no visible damage. In 2022, seed germination and viability of no-damage seeds did not differ from seeds with a moderate level of damage. No severely damaged seed germinated or tested viable in either year. Altogether, impact mill treatment reduced the number of germinable seeds by 87% compared with the no–impact mill treatment. These results indicate that seed impact mills can be a useful tool in Iowa soybean production to help manage multiple herbicide–resistant A. tuberculatus populations. However, A. tuberculatus seed shattering before crop harvest reduces the overall effectiveness of seed impact mills in preventing seedbank replenishments.

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) populations in turfgrass have evolved resistance to several herbicides in the United States (US), but there has been no confirmed resistance from an agricultural field. Recently, glyphosate failed to control a P. annua population found in a field in a soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation in Poinsett County, Arkansas. The present study focused on determining the sensitivity of a putatively-resistant accession (R1) to glyphosate compared with two susceptible accessions (S1 and S2). The experiments included a dose-response study, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene copy number and expression analysis, and assessment of mutations in EPSPS. Based on the dose-response analysis, R1 required 1,038 g ae ha-1 of glyphosate to cause 50% biomass reduction, whereas S1 and S2 only required 148.2 g and 145.5 g ae ha-1, respectively. The resistant index (RI) was approximately 7-fold relative to the susceptible accessions. Real-time polymerase chain reaction data revealed at least a 15-fold increase in the EPSPS copy number in R1, along with a higher gene expression. No mutations in EPSPS were found. Gene duplication was identified as the main mechanism conferring resistance in R1. The research presented here reports the first incidence of glyphosate resistance in P. annua from an agronomic field crop situation in the US.

Two separate field experiments were conducted during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 growing seasons at Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center near Hays, KS to understand the emergence dynamics of glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott] as influenced by fall- and spring-planted cover crops (CC) and residual herbicide. Study sites were under winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]-fallow rotation with a natural seedbank of GR B. scoparia. In experiment 1, fall-planted CC mixture (triticale/winter peas/radish/rapeseed) was planted after wheat harvest and terminated at triticale [xTriticosecale Wittm. Ex A. Camus [Secale x Triticum] heading stage (next spring before sorghum planting). In experiment 2, spring-planted CC mixture (oats/barley/spring peas) was planted in sorghum stubbles and terminated at oats (Avena sativa L.) heading stage. Four treatments were established in each experiment: (1) nontreated control (no CC and no herbicide), (2) chemical fallow (no CC but glyphosate + acetochlor/atrazine or flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone + dicamba were used to control weeds), (3) CC terminated with glyphosate, and (4) CC terminated with glyphosate plus residual herbicide (acetochlor/atrazine for fall-planted CC and flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone for spring-planted CC). Results indicated that fall-planted CC delayed GR B. scoparia emergence by 3 to 5 weeks whereas spring-planted CC delayed emergence by 0 to 2 weeks compared to nontreated. Fall-planted CC terminated with glyphosate plus acetochlor/atrazine reduced the cumulative emergence of GR B. scoparia by 90 to 95% compared to nontreated across both yrs. Similarly, spring-planted CC terminated with glyphosate plus flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone reduced the cumulative emergence of GR B. scoparia by 83 to 90% compared to nontreated. These results suggest that fall- or spring-planted CC in combination with residual herbicide at termination can be utilized for GR B. scoparia suppression. Results from this study will help in developing prediction models for GR B. scoparia emergence under different CC strategies.

Accounting for 53% of United States peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), Georgia is the top peanut-producing state with approximately 1.42 billion kg produced in 2023. Peanut producers often use the ALS imidazolinone herbicide imazapic but reduced yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) control was reported in Georgia peanuts after four-years of continuous imazapic use. This study aimed to determine the level of resistance (LD50, I50, and GR50), potential cross-resistance for the suspected resistant population, and identify the associated genetic mutations conferring resistance. A susceptible biotype was treated with 0, 0.0088, 0.0175, 0.035, 0.07, 0.14, 0.28, and 0.56 kg ai ha-1, and a resistant biotype was sprayed with 0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.28, 0.56, 1.13, 2.26, and 4.5 kg ai ha-1 of imazapic. To determine if the suspected resistant biotype was cross-resistant to halosulfuron-methyl, an ALS herbicide used to control nutsedge spp., both biotypes were treated with 0, 0.0117, 0.0233, 0.0466, 0.0933, 0.187, 0.373, and 0.746 g ai ha-1 of halosulfuron-methyl. Plants were rated for injury 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment (DAT), and above-ground biomass harvested at 28 DAT. For imazapic, LD50 was 0.041 and 1.503 kg ai ha-1 and the GR50 was estimated to be 0.0128 and 1.853 kg ai ha-1 for Sus and Res biotypes, respectively, indicating 36 and 145-fold increase in resistance of the Res biotype for I50 and GR50, respectively. Both biotypes responded similarly to applications of halosulfuron-methyl, with biomass reductionat rates greater than 0.023 kg ai ha-1. Transcriptome profiles revealed a mutation in the target-site gene of the resistant biotype, causing an amino acid substitution from Alanine to Valine at position 205 (Ala205Val). Growers should continue to rotate chemistries and implement integrated weed management approaches for control of C. esculentus as the use of imazapic over consecutive years has led to resistance in C. esculentus.

Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) is one of the world’s resilient upland weeds, primarily spreading through its tubers. Its emergence in rice fields has been increasing, likely due to changing paddy farming practices. This study aimed to investigate how C. rotundus, an upland weed, can withstand soil flooding and become a problematic weed in rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields. The first comparative analysis focused on the survival and recovery characteristics of growing and mature tubers of C. rotundus exposed to soil flooding conditions. Notably, mature tubers exhibited significant survival and recovery abilities in these environments. Based on this observation, further investigation was carried out to explore the morphological structure, non-structural carbohydrates, and respiratory mechanisms of mature tubers in response to prolonged soil flooding. Over time, the mature tubers did not form aerenchyma but instead gradually accumulated lignified sclerenchyma fibers, with lignin content also increasing. After 90 days, the lignified sclerenchyma fibers and lignin contents were 4.0 and 1.1 times higher than those in no soil flooding (CK). Concurrently, soluble sugar content decreased while starch content increased, providing energy storage, and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity rose to support anaerobic respiration via alcohol fermentation. These results indicated that mature tubers survived in soil flooding conditions by adopting a “low-oxygen quiescence strategy”, which involves morphological adaptations through the development of lignified sclerenchyma fibers, increased starch reserves for energy storage, and enhanced anaerobic respiration. This mechanism likely underpins the flooding tolerance of mature C. rotundus tubers, allowing them to endure unfavorable conditions and subsequently germinate and grow once flooding subsides. This study provides a preliminary explanation of the mechanism by which mature tubers of C. rotundus from the upland areas confer flooding tolerance, shedding light on the reasons behind this weed’s increasing presence in rice fields.

Genera of the Orobanchaceae family are holoparasites that parasitize various hosts. Several members of this family cause severe damage to diverse crop plants. While the biological and life cycles of these parasites have been studied, their metabolism has received little attention, most of which focused on Phelipanche aegyptiaca. This study aimed at obtaining more knowledge about the primary metabolic profiling of four parasite species belonging to the Orobanchaceae family – Orobanche cumana, Orobanche cernua, Phelipanche aegyptiaca and Phelipanche ramosa – that developed on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as a host. Using GC-MS, it was shown that significant differences in metabolites content occur between species belonging to Orobanche compared to those belonging to Phelipanche. This finding adds another layer to the separation of these two genera in addition to morphological separation. Moreover, each of these four species exhibits different metabolic profiles, indicating that the parasites can absorb the host’s metabolites but also have the ability to self-regulate their metabolites in order to grow and develop.

Russian thistle (Salsola tragus L.) is a significant summer annual weed in the semi-arid Pacific Northwest (PNW), causing yield losses of up to 50%. Understanding the biology and ecology of S. tragus is vital for developing effective integrated weed management (IWM) strategies. This study focused on 1) S. tragus emergence and seedbank persistence in two cropping systems: fallow–winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spring wheat–fallow–winter wheat rotations, and 2) S. tragus plant biomass and viable seed production in fallow and spring wheat fields. A four-year experiment (2020-2023) was conducted at the Columbia Basin Agriculture Research Center (CBARC) in Adams, OR, using a randomized block design with four replications. Salsola tragus seeds were sprinkled only at the beginning of the experiment, and seedling numbers were recorded throughout. Most seedlings emerged in the first year, with the highest rates in spring wheat (72%) and fallow (32%), followed by significantly lower rates (0.25-5%) in subsequent years. Seedling emergence began in late March and early April for the first two years but was delayed to May for the third year. Plant biomass and viable seed production were greater in fallow than in spring wheat, with early-season plants having more biomass than later-emerging plants. Plants emerged between early and mid-May produced the most viable seeds. Viable seed production was very low until it peaked in mid-September. Findings indicated that most S. tragus seedlings emerged in the first year after dispersal coinciding with spring precipitation and lasting approximately two months. Additionally, most S. tragus plants produce viable seeds in September, and seeds persist in the soil for more than two years. These results demonstrate the need for growers to control S. tragus emergence to prevent reinfestations and ultimately the need to control S. tragus plants before September to prevent the species from producing viable seed.

False cleavers (Galium spurium L.) is an aggressive weed from the Rubiaceae. Here we assemble a chromosome scale draft of its genome, laying the foundations for determining the genetic basis of auxinic herbicide resistance and for systematic research into its polyphyletic genus. We use the genome to examine the population genetics in material from the Canadian Prairies and, in concert with a common greenhouse experiment, to examine whether the phenotypic variation observed in the field results primarily from genetic or environmental factors. The genome assembly covers approximately 85% of G. spurium’s expected 360Mbp genome size with 94% of BUSCO genes complete and most single copy (89%). Approximately 37% of the genome is repetitive elements and 35,540 genes were annotated using RNA-Seq data, including 100 homologs for genes involved or, potentially involved in, herbicide resistance. The genome shows strong synteny with other members of the Rubiaceae including smooth bedstraw (Cruciata laevipes Opiz) and robusta coffee [Coffea canephora (Pierre ex Froehner]. Double digested RADseq data for the 19 populations from the Canadian Prairies indicated that G. spurium has high levels of population structure (FST = 0.54) and inbreeding (FIS =0.86) with low levels of hetrozygosity (HO = 0.02) and nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0003). Variation in flowering time and seed weight largely overlapped among populations grown in the greenhouse. A redundancy analysis investigating genotype-phenotype associations showed few associations between SNP variation and these characteristics. In contrast, the majority of SNPs under selection were associated with mericarp hook density. This suggests that for most traits, environmental variation rather than genetic variation likely underlies phenotypic differences observed in the field. Several genes of interest including several homologs involved in the assembly of the Skp1-Culliun-F-Box IR1/AFB E3 ubiquitin ligase complex (e.g. CAND1, ECR1) are located in areas of the genome with evidence of selection and are targets for further investigation.

The resistance to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, a herbicide that inhibits acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), has emerged in shortawn foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis Sobol.) since the 1990s, presenting a considerable challenge to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in China. One of the primary mechanisms responsible for this high-level resistance is the presence of mutations at codons 1781, 2041, and 2078 in the ACCase gene. However, the conventional methods used to detect these mutations, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing, are time-consuming and labor-intensive. To address this issue and enable the prompt and effective detection of these common ACCase mutations in A. aequalis, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) strategy was developed. The LAMP assay specifically targets the Ile-1781-Leu and Asp-2078-Gly mutations within the ACCase gene of A. aequalis. Through the optimization of primers, systems, and conditions, the LAMP assay enables rapid differentiation between wild-type individuals and mutants of A. aequalis carrying either of these two mutations. By including SYBR Green I dye in the final reaction mixtures, the target mutation can be visually detected through a noticeable color change that can be observed with the naked eye. It is noteworthy that the sensitivity of the LAMP assay was approximately 104-fold greater than that of conventional PCR methods. Additionally, a derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (dCAPS) assay was established for each mutation to distinguish between homozygous and heterozygous mutants. Overall, the developed LAMP assay could efficiently detect the Ile-1781-Leu and Asp-2078-Gly mutations in the ACCase gene of A. aequalis, offering significant advantages for the monitoring and management of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl resistance.