Description

Kochia (Bassia scoparia) is a highly destructive weed across the U.S. There is growing concern that herbicide resistance (HR) is spreading and understanding the distribution of resistant weeds is necessary to develop effective weed management strategies.

Kochia’s resistance to Group 2 herbicides is well documented and there are several known mutations within the ALS gene that may confer resistance to this and other weed species. While herbicide trials provide the most comprehensive assessment for HR, these such studies are limited by greenhouse space and can only provide HR results for the next generation (i.e., collected seed) during winter months. It is also not practical to collect seed from a wide geographic distribution for herbicide trials.

In response to these challenges, NAGC continues to create a diagnostic panel for the most prevalent mutations that lead to HR. A rapid, diagnostic panel allows for in-season testing of HR kochia with enough time to possibly modify their weed management program in near real-time.

This rapid genotyping test detects a common mutation within the ALS gene, where an amino acid change from the wildtype W (Tryptophan) to the mutant L (Leucine) confers resistance to Group 2 or ALS-inhibiting herbicides.

This project was funded by the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, North Dakota Soybean Council, and North Dakota Department of Agriculture.