Confirmation, Control, and Physiology of Glyphosate-Resistant Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) in Arkansas

Glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed in Arkansas was reported in 2005. A study was conducted to (1) confirm and characterize the glyphosate resistance in giant ragweed, (2) determine if reduced absorption or translocation is the mechanism of glyphosate resistance in giant ragweed, and (3) evaluate the efficacy of nine POST-applied soybean herbicides to control glyphosate-resistant and -susceptible giant ragweed. Based on the rate required to kill 50% of plants (LD50 values), resistant giant ragweed biotypes from Greene and Jefferson counties were 2.3- to 7.2-fold less sensitive to glyphosate compared to susceptible biotypes. Glyphosate absorption and translocation for glyphosate-resistant and -susceptible biotypes was similar at 24 and 72 h after treatment. Thus, differential absorption or translocation is not a mechanism of glyphosate resistance in this resistant giant ragweed biotype. Control of resistant giant ragweed biotypes with glyphosate at a labeled field application rate of 840 g ha (1) was only 60% or less compared to complete control of a susceptible giant ragweed biotype. However, bentazon, carfentrazone, cloransulam, and fomesafen controlled both biotypes more than 95%.