Barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv] is the foremost weed in rice (Oryza sativa L.) systems, and its control is crucial to successful rice production. Quinclorac, a synthetic auxin herbicide, has been used effectively to manage E. crus-galli. However, occurrences of quinclorac-resistant genotypes are frequently reported, and its resistance evolution has led to questions about the continued utility of quinclorac for grass control. Identification of the resistance mechanism(s) of resistant genotypes will facilitate development of integrated weed management strategies that sustain quinclorac use for management of E. crus-galli. We evaluated the responses to quinclorac of two contrasting genotypes: E7 (resistant, R) and LM04 (susceptible, S). Quinclorac induced ethylene and cyanide biosynthesis in the S-genotype. Both genotypes responded similarly to an increasing application of exogenous 1-carboxylic acid aminocyclopropane (ACC) and potassium cyanide, and their growth was inhibited at higher doses. The key mechanism for cyanide (HCN) detoxification in plants, β-cyanoalanine synthase (β-CAS) activity, was evaluated in both genotypes, and no significant difference was observed in the basal activity. However, quinclorac significantly induced β-CAS–like activity in the S-genotype, which is consistent with the increased synthesis of ethylene and cyanide. This work suggests that the resistance to quinclorac of the E7 R-genotype is likely related to an alteration in the auxin signal transduction pathway, causing a lower stimulation of ACC synthase and, therefore, limited synthesis of ethylene and HCN after quinclorac treatment.

Herbicide-resistant Echinochloa species are among the most problematic weeds in agricultural crops globally. Recurring herbicide selection pressure in the absence of diverse management practices has resulted in greater than 20% of sampled Echinochloa populations from rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields demonstrating multiple resistance to herbicides in Arkansas, USA. We assessed the resistance profile and potential mechanisms of resistance in a multiple herbicide–resistant junglerice [Echinochloa colona (L.) Link] (ECO-R) population. Whole-plant and laboratory bioassays were conducted to identify the potential mechanisms of non–target site resistance in this population. ECO-R was highly resistant to propanil (>37,800 g ha−1) and quinclorac (>17,920 g ha−1) and had elevated tolerance to cyhalofop (R/S = 1.9) and glufosinate (R/S = 1.2) compared to the susceptible standard. The addition of glufosinate (590 g ha−1) to cyhalofop (314 g ha−1), propanil (4,500 g ha−1), or quinclorac (560 g ha−1) controlled ECO-R 100%. However, cyhalofop applied with propanil (48% control) or quinclorac (15% control) was antagonistic. The application of the known metabolic enzyme inhibitors malathion, carbaryl, and piperonyl butoxide increased control of ECO-R with propanil (>75%) but not with other herbicides. Neither absorption nor translocation of [14C]cyhalofop or propanil was different between ECO-R and ECO-S. [14C]Quinclorac absorption was also similar between ECO-R and ECO-S; however, translocation of quinclorac into tissues above the treated leaf of ECO-R was >20% higher than that in ECO-S. The abundance of metabolites was higher (∼10%) in the treated leaves of ECO-R than in ECO-S beginning 48 h after treatment. The activity of β-cyanoalanine synthase, which detoxifies hydrogen cyanide, was not different between ECO-R and ECO-S following quinclorac treatment. Resistance to propanil was due to herbicide detoxification by metabolic enzymes. Resistance to quinclorac was due to a detoxification mechanism yet to be understood. The reduction in sensitivity to cyhalofop and glufosinate might be a secondary effect of the mechanisms conferring high resistance to propanil and quinclorac.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) adults from colonies reared on cassava or sweet potato plants were studied to determine their ability to transmit Indian cassava mosaic virus (ICMV) (Geminiviridae: Begomovirus) from cassava to cassava. Virus acquisition access (feeding) periods (AAP) of 48 h on ICMV-infected cassava leaves and 48-h virus inoculation access (feeding) periods on virus-free cassava seedling leaves were investigated. ICMV was successfully transmitted from cassava to cassava by whiteflies reared on cassava, but not whiteflies reared on sweet potato. Virus-specific primers were designed around conserved regions of the coat protein gene (CP) (771 bases) of the Trivandrum (Tri; GenBank accession number AF423180) isolate and used for virus detection in the whitefly vector after different AAP. The activities of the cyanide detoxifying enzymes rhodanese and β-cyanoalanine synthase in B. tabaci were evaluated and shown to be significantly higher in the cassava-reared whitefly population compared with the sweet potato-reared population suggesting a possible reason for higher mortality of the sweet potato strain feeding on cassava. Mating compatibility studies between cassava and sweet potato colony whiteflies resulted in production of fertile offspring with no evidence for reproductive isolation. Results confirm that only B. tabaci whiteflies reared on cassava transmit ICMV from cassava to cassava in India.