Transposable element-driven evolution of herbicide resistance in plants

Herbicide resistance (HR) threatens global agriculture and food security with its increasing prevalence. HR evolves via two primary mechanisms: target site resistance (TSR), involving genetic mutations or duplications, and non-target-site resistance (NTSR), involving detoxification, uptake modification, or compartmentalization (Gaines et al., 2020; Box 1). Emerging evidence indicates that transposable elements (TEs) may also shape HR (Patterson et al., 2019; Cai et al., 2023). This viewpoint explores how TEs impact HR and its evolution. Although direct evidence remains limited, insights from studies on abiotic stress, where TEs are known to drive plant adaptation, may offer valuable evidence. Delving into these connections could open up new research avenues on plant evolution and transform strategies for managing HR.