Annual bluegrass is commonly controlled by acetolactate synthase
(ALS)-inhibiting herbicides in managed turfgrass. An annual bluegrass
population with suspected resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides was
collected from Grand National Golf Course in Opelika, AL (GN population).
Subsequent testing confirmed resistance of the GN population to
foramsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, bispyribac-sodium (bispyribac), and
imazaquin when compared to a susceptible population collected locally at
Auburn University (AU population). Sequencing of the ALS gene revealed a
point mutation resulting in an amino acid substitution at Trp574.
Cloning of the ALS gene surrounding the Trp574 region yielded two
distinct ALS gene sequences: one producing Trp574 and one
producing Leu574. Trp574 to Leu has been previously
correlated with resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Both AU and GN gene
sequences contained other similar silent and missense mutations. This
research confirms resistance of annual bluegrass to ALS-inhibiting
herbicides with Trp574 to Leu amino acid substitution being the
most likely mode of resistance based on past literature.