Overuse of acetolactate synthase (ALS)–inhibiting herbicides in rice has led
to the evolution of halosulfuron-resistant rice flatsedge in Arkansas and
Mississippi. Resistant accessions were cross-resistant to labeled field
rates of ALS-inhibiting herbicides from four different families, in
comparison to a susceptible (SUS) biotype. Resistance index of Arkansas and
Mississippi accessions based on an R/S ratio of the lethal dose required for
50% plant mortality (LD50) to bispyribac-sodium, halosulfuron,
imazamox, and penoxsulam was ≥ 21-fold. Control of Arkansas, Mississippi,
and SUS accessions with labeled field rates of 2,4-D, bentazon, and propanil
was ≥ 93%. An enzyme assay revealed that an R/S ratio for 50% inhibition
(I50) of ALS for halosulfuron was 2,600 and 200 in Arkansas
and Mississippi, respectively. Malathion studies did not reveal enhanced
herbicide metabolism in resistant plants. The ALS enzyme assay and
cross-resistance studies point toward altered a target site as the potential
mechanism of resistance. Trp574–Leu amino acid substitution
within the ALS gene was found in both Arkansas and
Mississippi rice flatsedge accessions using the Illumina HiSeq platform,
which corresponds to the mechanism of resistance found in many weed species.
Field-rate applications of 2,4-D, bentazon, and propanil can be used to
control these ALS-resistant rice flatsedge accessions.