Herbicide resistance in Alopecurus myosuroides (black-grass):: field testing and population plasticity

The occurrence of herbicide resistance in grass weeds in the UK continues to rise. One proposed resistance mechanism in black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides) is enhanced herbicide metabolism mediated by the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST). We have previously characterized differences in GST activity and abundance that can be correlated with herbicide resistance in black-grass, This paper presents GST abundance data from black-grass plants harvested from the field. An ELISA-based resistance test is described and the utilization of GST abundance as a marker for herbicide resistance in this species is discussed, Preliminary observations with other grass weeds suggest GST abundance to be a useful resistance marker. Population plasticity is the individual variation in a particular trait among members of the same species. Data are presented to describe the plasticity of black-grass populations with respect to GST abundance, This is discussed in relation to the occurrence and development of herbicide resistant black-grass populations in the UK.