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2,4-D resistance found in weeds could limit the herbicide’s future usefulness

Date:
August 16, 2012
Source:
Allen Press Publishing Services
Summary:
Even as crops resistant to 2,4-D herbicide are being developed, populations of weeds are also developing a resistance. A 2,4-D–resistant variety of the waterhemp weed has been found, and its spread could lessen the impact of an herbicide widely used in grassland and crop production. Despite worldwide use of 2,4-D since the 1940s, only 17 weeds were previously known to be resistant to it.
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Even as crops resistant to 2,4-D herbicide are being developed, populations of weeds are also developing a resistance. A 2,4-D-resistant variety of the waterhemp weed has been found, and its spread could lessen the impact of an herbicide widely used in grassland and crop production. Despite worldwide use of 2,4-D since the 1940s, only 17 weeds were previously known to be resistant to it.

The journal Weed Science reports the discovery of 2,4-D-resistant waterhemp by a grower in Nebraska. Although scarce 30 years ago, waterhemp is now a major problem for crop production in the midwestern United States. This is the sixth mechanism-of-action herbicide group to which waterhemp has developed resistance.

After 10 years of treatment with 2,4-D, waterhemp was no longer effectively controlled in a Nebraska native-grass seed production field. The highest doses of 2,4-D that were used in an on-site field study, 33 lb ai/A, were insufficient to control 50 percent of the waterhemp population.

Researchers gathered waterhemp seeds from this field and performed greenhouse testing against a susceptible waterhemp variety. Twenty-eight days after treatment with the herbicide, visual observation and dry weight values showed a 10-fold resistance in the affected sample. Researchers also found a reduced sensitivity to the herbicide dicamba.

Corn, soybeans, and cotton resistant to 2,4-D are under development; some are already under USDA consideration for nonregulated status. While an engineered crop offers easier treatment of weeds, this biotechnology will bring about an increase in the use of the 2,4-D herbicide. The authors warn that this new biotechnology must come with proper stewardship to retain the effectiveness of this herbicide.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Allen Press Publishing Services. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Mark L. Bernards, Roberto J. Crespo, Greg R. Kruger, Roch Gaussoin, Patrick J. Tranel. A Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) Population Resistant to 2,4-D. Weed Science, 2012; 60 (3): 379 DOI: 10.1614/WS-D-11-00170.1

Cite This Page:

Allen Press Publishing Services. "2,4-D resistance found in weeds could limit the herbicide’s future usefulness." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 August 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120816151812.htm>.
Allen Press Publishing Services. (2012, August 16). 2,4-D resistance found in weeds could limit the herbicide’s future usefulness. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120816151812.htm
Allen Press Publishing Services. "2,4-D resistance found in weeds could limit the herbicide’s future usefulness." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120816151812.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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