Risk of Herbicide Resistance for GMO Corn in Chile

Fondecyt 1110535 project was conducted between 2011 and 2014 by the research team of the School of Agronomy and Forestry at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, led by the specialist, Dr. Rodrigo Figueroa and co-researchers Marlene Gebauer, Horacio Gilabert and Albert Fischer (University of California, Davis). The project objective was to determine the levels of herbicide resistance in weeds growing in genetically modified (GMO) and conventional maize crops in central Chile. Results showed the presence of herbicide resistance in the species Sorghum halepense (Johnsongrass) in some locations (n<20) of the central area. Additionally, it was identified the mechanism responsible for this herbicide resistance, which was associated with a change that makes the ALS enzyme insensitive to the herbicide ( nicosulfuron ). This resistance is due to prolonged and repeated use of the same herbicide in corn, GMO or conventional. With the information gathered in the project, weed cover maps were produced using aerial photographs and a mathematical model to estimate the risk of development of resistance according to the weed control strategy used in a particular cropping field. Results also indicate that the maize seed management in Chile has reduced the herbicide resistance problems reported in other countries, since several crop practices are implemented each season limiting the herbicide resistance phenomena.

See more of: Weed Control & Pest Management (Poster)
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