Inheritance and mechanism of glyphosate resistance in annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.).

Background: In initial screening, glyphosate was ineffective in controlling five Poa annua populations. These populations were tested for resistance, and studies undertaken to determine resistance mechanisms and inheritance pattern.

Results: Dose-response studies conducted at 16/12°C and 27/20°C on the five putative resistant populations showed low-level resistance (1.4- to 2.5-fold) to glyphosate. Shikimic acid accumulation in response to glyphosate confirmed differences among the populations, with greater shikimic acid accumulation in the susceptible population. The EPSPS gene copy number was 0.5- to 5.2-fold greater in one resistant population (HT) than in the susceptible (S) population, but not in the others. EPSPS gene expression was five- to tenfold higher in HT compared with the susceptible population. Target site mutations, differences in glyphosate absorption or translocation or altered expression of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) were not identified in any of the resistant populations. Crosses were successful between one resistant population and the susceptible population (P262-16♂ ✕ S♀) and inheritance of glyphosate resistance appears to be controlled by a single, nuclear dominant gene in this population.

Conclusion: Our study identified EPSPS gene amplification in a South Australian glyphosate-resistant P. annua population (HT). This mechanism of resistance was not identified in the other four glyphosate-resistant populations, and other common mechanisms were excluded. Although the resistance mechanism in some P. annua populations remains unknown, inheritance studies with one population suggest the involvement of a single dominant gene. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.