Herbicide Resistant Phalaris Minor in Wheat – a Sustainability Issue
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Herbicide Resistant Phalaris minor in Wheat – A Sustainability Issue Ashok Yadav and R. K. Malik Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125 004, India ® CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India Citation : Yadav, A. and Malik, R. K. 2005. Herbicide Resistant Phalaris minor in Wheat –A Sustainability Issue. Resource Book. Department of Agronomy and Directorate of Extension Education, CCSHAU, Hisar, India pp. 152. Published by : Department of Agronomy and Directorate of Extension Education, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India Telephone Nos. : +91-01662-231171-73 Extn. 4268, 4328 Fax : +91-01662-234952 Web site : http://www.hau.ernet.in Cover Pictures : Top : Phalaris minor Retz. spikes at maturity Bottom : Wheat crop at maturity Authors Ashok Yadav, Scientist (Weed Science), Department of Agronomy, CCSHAU, Hisar R. K. Malik, Director Extension Education, CCSHAU, Hisar Acknowledgements : Research output mentioned in this publication was partly generated under the financial and technical support from Australian Project (ACIAR), RWC, New Delhi, NATP–ICAR and Cornell University, U.S.A. The production of this publication has been supported by the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP), Indian Council of Agricultural Research through its Special Research Sub-project on “Accelerating the Adoption of Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) for Farm-level Impact on Sustainability of Rice-Wheat Systems of the Indo-Gangetic Plains” in the PSR mode. Disclaimer : The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, concerning the legal status of any country, person, territory, city or area, or of its authorities or concerning the delimitations of its frontiers or boundaries. Where trade/proprietary names are used, this does not constitute endorsement of or discrimination against any product by the University. Herbicide Resistant Phalaris minor in Wheat - A Sustainability Issue Ashok Yadav and R. K. Malik Department of Agronomy and Directorate of Extension Education CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, India FOREWORD The history of detection of herbicide resistance in weeds began in Washington in 1960s with the discovery and report of triazine resistance in common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris L.) in 1964. Currently there are recorded 272 biotypes comprising 163 species (98 dicots and 65 monocots) which have evolved herbicide resistance worldwide. The first case of herbicide resistance in India and for the first time in the world in littleseed canary grass (Phalaris minor Retz.) against isoproturon was reported by the scientists of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 1992-93. This was the most serious case of herbicide resistance in the world, resulting in total failure of wheat crop under heavy infestation (2000-3000 plants m-2) . Phalaris minor is the most common and predominant weed of wheat under rice-wheat cropping system in the North-Western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. Rice-wheat cropping system comprises 13.5 m ha (10 m ha in India, 2.2 m ha in Pakistan, 0.8 m ha in Bangladesh and 0.5 m ha in Nepal) of land in South Asia. Until the early 1990s, Phalaris minor could be effectively controlled by isoproturon, a substituted urea herbicide first recommended in 1977-78 and widely used since the early 1980s. But continuous use of this single herbicide for 10-15 years coupled with monocropping of rice-wheat led to evolution of resistance in this weed. By 1993, the resistance affected area ranged between 0.8 and 1.0 million hectares in N-W India and it also affected other tarai areas. Resistant biotypes from Haryana have been reported to require upto eleven times the pre-susceptible dose of isoproturon to achieve 50% growth reduction. The resistance was also found to be of metabolic in nature. Consequently, four alternate post-emergence herbicides (clodinafop, fenoxaprop, sulfosulfuron and tralkoxydim) were recommended in 1997-98 and the recommendation of isoproturon was withdrawn. The new herbicides brought the Phalaris minor infestation under control and restored yields to their previous levels. But red signals of resistance against these alternate herbicides have also been speculated in 2002 and thereafter. It warrants for integration of different weed control methods. While managing herbicide resistance, the main focus of change that emerged in the rice-wheat cropping system is the evolution of zero tillage in wheat. After seeing this opportunity which emerged from the crisis of herbicide resistance, the ICAR and NATP project authorities sanctioned a special project on the acceleration of such technologies for the larger benefit of farmers. In order to further avoid or delay herbicide resistance, it is important to understand various causes and effects of resistance. Renewed concerns about the possibilities of cross-resistance have encouraged the project scientists to bring out this book. Factors that help countering such problems in future have also been discussed. Authors have brought together topics of major importance to help students, researchers and extension agencies understand the topic for designing future management strategies. (Mrs. Asha Sharma, IAS) Vice-Chancellor CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar and Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary, Govt. of Haryana PREFACE Rice-wheat cropping system is the most important regional base for providing staple diet to the population of South Asia. Due to development of herbicide resistance, the productivity of this cropping system especially in the high productivity zones of Haryana and Punjab was on an unsustainable trajectory from 1993-94 to 1997-98.It was a crisis like situation of that time. Since late 1980s, the rate of yield increase has slowed partly due to increasing incidence of weeds particularly Phalaris minor. Moderate infestation of Phalaris minor alone can cause 15-20% reduction in grain yield of wheat and it may cause total crop failure under heavy infestation (2000-3000 plants m-2). The herbicide, isoproturon was widely used in north-western states of India to control this weed in wheat. With the use of this herbicide, it became possible to shield huge losses caused by this weed. However, continuous use of isoproturon has resulted in widespread development of resistance in P. minor which has wiped out some of the productivity gains achieved since 1982. The resistance affected area ranged from 0.8 to 1.0 million hectare in N-W India. After reporting resistance in 1992-93, many biotypes of P. minor have been found resistant to isoproturon. To achieve 50% growth reduction, resistant biotypes of this weed now require 8 to 11 times more isoproturon than susceptible biotypes. A considerable research effort is required to develop alternative weed management practices that can prevent or delay development of herbicide resistance. The most exciting outcome in the form of an integrated solution through alternate herbicides and zero- tillage has made the scientists of CCSHAU, Hisar more excited. Multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional efforts including that of Rice-wheat Consortium (RWC), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) have changed the nature and scope of herbicide management strategy. The publication is divided into 15 chapters. Research findings on resistance mechanism, antagonism, effect of alternate herbicides and herbicide mixtures, cross-resistance/multiple resistance, resistance reversibility, and integrated management of resistant P. minor have been compiled in this publication. Role of some of the RCTs including zero-tillage and furrow-irrigated-raised-bed-system has also been outlined. The publication is in continuation with our earlier bulletins and the work done in other projects including the NATP project on Acceleration of RCTs. We sincerely hope that this book will help the researchers, extensionists and students in better understanding the herbicide resistance issue, and that the full utilization of the results will improve profitability and productivity of farmers in the entire rice- wheat cropping systems of South Asia. Special thanks are due to all stakeholders who rendered their valuable help in pursuing the studies on herbicide resistance management. We also recognize the valuable contributions made by fellow scientists, extension agencies and policy makers in this endeavour. Authors CONTENTS S. No. Titles Page Foreword Preface 1. Introduction 1 2. Botanical Characteristics, Biology and Distribution 5 3. Spread of Phalaris minor in India-Possible Reasons 16 4. Chemical Weed Control in Wheat in India 21 5. Herbicide Resistance Evolution – History 33 6. Herbicide Resistant Crops 46 – An Important Component of Integrated Weed Management 7. Resistance Evolution Against Isoproturon–Diagnostic Surveys 63 8. Resistance Against Isoproturon–Evidences 71 9. Mechanism of Isoproturon-Resistance 82 10. Alternate Herbicides Against Isoproturon Resistant Phalaris minor 89 11. Herbicide Mixtures to Control Isoproturon Resistant Phalaris minor 99 12. Antagonism of Herbicides Against Phalaris minor 106 13. Cross-Resistance Against Alternate Herbicides 113 14. Isoproturon Use in Resistance Affected Areas-A Futile Exercise 125 15. Management of Herbicide Resistance 132 1 Chapter 1 Introduction Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)