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Evolution of resistance to transgenic crops: interactions between insect movement and field distribution.

The refuge strategy is designed to delay evolution of pest resistance to transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins. Movement of insects between Bt crops and refuges of non-Bt crops is essential for the refuge strategy because it increases chances that resistant adults mate with susceptible adults from refuges. Conclusions about optimal levels of movement for delaying resistance are not consistent among previous modeling studies. To clarify the effects of movement on resistance evolution, we analyzed simulations of a spatially explicit model based partly on the interaction of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), with Bt cotton. We examined resistance evolution as a function of insect movement under 12 sets of assumptions about the relative abundance of Bt cotton (50 and 75%), temporal distribution of Bt cotton and refuge fields (fixed, partial rotation, and full rotation), and spatial distribution of fields (random and uniform). The results show that interactions among the relative abundance and distribution of refuges and Bt cotton fields can alter the effects of movement on resistance evolution. The results also suggest that differences in conclusions among previous studies can be explained by differences in assumptions about the relative abundance and distribution of refuges and Bt crop fields. With fixed field locations and all Bt cotton fields adjacent to at least one refuge, resistance evolved slowest with low movement. However, low movement and fixed field locations favored rapid resistance evolution when some Bt crop fields were isolated from refuges. When refuges and Bt cotton fields were rotated to the opposite crop type each year, resistance evolved fastest with low movement. Nonrecessive inheritance of resistance caused rapid resistanceevolution regardless of movement rate. Confirming previous reports, results described here show that resistance can be delayed effectively by fixing field locations and distributing refuges uniformly to ensure that Bt crop fields are not isolated from refuges. However, rotating fields provided better insect control and reduced the need for insecticide sprays.

Animals↗

Roles of selection intensity, major genes, and minor genes in evolution of insecticide resistance.

A prominent hypothesis about insecticide resistance is that genes of major effect play a key role in field-evolved resistance because the intensity of selection is extremely high in the field. A corollary hypothesis is that the lower intensity of selection in laboratory selection experiments favors polygenic control of insecticide resistance. Contrary to these hypotheses, a literature review revealed that the intensity of selection for insecticide resistance in the field varies widely and overlaps broadly with selection intensities in the laboratory. Also contrary to these hypotheses, results from simulations of population genetic models suggest that selection intensities typical of laboratory selection experiments favor resistance that is conferred by major genes. Major genes dominated responses to selection for resistance across a wide range of simulated selection intensities, with and without fitness costs and refuges. The simulation results also suggest that the intensity of selection, rather than the number of loci conferring resistance, is central in determining rates of resistance evolution and effectiveness of refuges.

Animals↗

Sensitivity analysis of a spatially-explicit stochastic simulation model of the evolution of resistance in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Bt transgenic corn and cotton.

The sensitivities of a model simulating the evolution of resistance in Helicoverpa zea to Bt toxins in transgenic crops were investigated by examining effects of each of the model parameters on the frequency of resistance alleles after 8 yr. The functional dominance of resistance alleles and the initial frequency of those alleles had a major impact on resistance evolution. The survival of susceptible insects on the transgenic crops and the population dynamics of the insect, driven by winter survival and reproductive rates, were also important. In addition, agricultural practices including the proportion of the acreage planted to corn, and the larval threshold for spraying cotton fields affected the R-allele frequency. Many of these important parameters are inherently variable or cannot be measured with accuracy, so model output cannot be interpreted as being a forecast. However, this analysis is useful in focusing empirical research on those aspects of the insects' life system that have the largest effects on resistance development, and indicates ways in which to improve products and agricultural practices to increase the expected time to resistance. The model can thus be used as a scientific basis for devising a robust resistance management strategy for Bt crops.

Agriculture↗

Source-sink dynamics between transgenic and non-transgenic habitats and their role in the evolution of resistance.

The interaction of population dynamics and movement among two habitat types (toxic transgenic fields and nontoxic refuge fields) on the evolution of insecticide resistance was examined in two different simulation models. The two models were developed to test the hypothesis that increasing habitat grain from fine-grained to coarse-grained, and the resultant increase in nonrandom mating, would increase the rate of local adaptation, here the evolution of resistance. The first model, a complex, stochastic spatially explicit model, altered habitat grain by varying adult dispersal rates between habitat patches. In contrast to the expectation that increasing patch isolation and increasing the coarseness of the habitats would increase the rate of resistance evolution, intermediate levels of dispersal actually delayed resistance by as much as fivefold over the range of dispersal levels observed. Source-sink dynamics related to ovipositional patterns and the related population dynamics appear to explain the results. A simple deterministic model was developed to abstract out the separate impacts of mating and ovipositional behaviors. This model showed qualitatively the same results, although under similar assumptions it predicted much longer delays in resistance evolution. In this model, nonrandom mating alone always increased the rate at which insects adapted to transgenic crops, but nonrandom mating in combination with nonrandom oviposition could significantly delay resistance evolution. Differences between the two models may be due to the population regulation incorporated in the spatially explicit model. The models clearly suggest that resistance management programs using untreated refuges should not over-emphasize random mating at the cost of making the habitat too fine-grained.

Animals↗

A molecular description of the evolution of resistance.

BACKGROUND: In vitro evolution has been used to obtain nucleic acid molecules with interesting functional properties. The evolution process usually is carried out in a stepwise manner, involving successive rounds of selection, amplification and mutation. Recently, a continuous in vitro evolution system was devised for RNAs that catalyze the ligation of oligonucleotide substrates, allowing the evolution of catalytic function to be studied in real time. RESULTS: Continuous in vitro evolution of an RNA ligase ribozyme was carried out in the presence of a DNA enzyme that was capable of cleaving, and thereby inactivating, the ribozyme. The DNA concentration was increased steadily over 33.5 hours of evolution, reaching a final concentration that would have been sufficient to inactivate the starting population in one second. The evolved population of ribozymes developed resistance to the DNA enzyme, reducing their vulnerability to cleavage by 2000-fold but retaining their own catalytic function. Based on sequencing and kinetic analysis of the ribozymes, two mechanisms are proposed for this resistance. One involves three nucleotide substitutions, together with two compensatory mutations, that alter the site at which the DNA enzyme binds the ribozyme. The other involves enhancement of the ribozyme's ability to bind its own substrate in a way that protects it from cleavage by the DNA enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to direct the evolution of an enzyme's biochemical properties in response to the behavior of another macromolecule provides insight into the evolution of resistance and may be useful in developing enzymes with novel or enhanced function.

Base Sequence↗

Spatial processes in the evolution of resistance in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Bt transgenic corn and cotton in a mixed agroecosystem: a biology-rich stochastic simulation model.

A simulation model is developed to examine the role of spatial processes in the evolution of resistance in Helicoverpa zea populations to Bt corn and Bt cotton. The model is developed from the stochastic spatially explicit Heliothis virescens model described by Peck et al. (1999), to accommodate a spatial mix of two host crops (corn and cotton), and to reflect the agronomic practices, as well as the spatial and temporal population dynamics of H. zea, in eastern North Carolina. The model suggests that selection for resistance is more intense in Bt cotton fields than in Bt corn fields. It further suggests that local gene frequencies are highly dependent on local deployment levels of Bt crops despite the high mobility of the adult insects. Region-wide average gene frequencies depend on the region-wide level of Bt deployment, so incomplete technology adoption slows the rate of resistance evolution. However, on a local scale, H. zea populations in clusters of fields in which Bt use is high undergo far more rapid evolution than populations in neighboring clusters of fields in which Bt use is low. The model suggests that farm-level refuge requirements are important for managing the risk of resistance. The model can be used as an aid in designing plans for monitoring for resistance by suggesting the appropriate distribution of monitoring locations, which should focus on areas of highest Bt crop deployment. The findings need to be placed in the context of the input parameters, many of which are uncertain or highly variable in nature, and therefore, a thorough sensitivity analysis is warranted.

Agriculture↗

Emergence of different mechanisms of resistance in the evolution of multidrug resistance in murine erythroleukemia cell lines.

We examined the genetic and biochemical bases for drug resistance and the order of appearance of different mechanisms underlying the increasingly more resistant murine erythroleukemia cell lines established in Adriamycin (ADR). In the first-step low-level resistant cell line PC4-A5 (able to grow in 5 ng/mL ADR), there was a 2-fold reduction in topoisomerase IIalpha and topoisomerase IIbeta mRNA levels, as well as topoisomerase IIalpha protein and activity levels as compared with the parental cell line. The topoisomerase IIalpha activity levels remained reduced as the cells became increasingly more resistant. In contrast, the topoisomerase II mRNA and protein levels returned to approximately the parental levels in resistant cells growing in higher drug concentrations (40-160 ng/mL). Parental cells expressed the multidrug resistance protein (MRP), but beginning with PC4-A5 MRP expression decreased and remained reduced in increasingly resistant cell lines. At high levels of ADR resistance, the cells expressed the mdr3 gene concomitant with the appearance of vincristine resistance and energy-dependent daunomycin and vincristine efflux. Glutathione levels, internal pH, and expression of the major vault protein (MVP) remained unchanged in all cell lines. Fluorescence microscopy revealed no alterations in daunomycin distribution or vesicle numbers between the parental and resistant cell lines. Different resistance mechanisms emerge sequentially as cells become more resistant to ADR; the mechanisms are retained during the development of multidrug resistance (MDR). In intermediate-level MDR cell lines (PC4-A10 and PC4-A20), resistance involves an as yet undetermined mechanism(s).

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

[Beta-lactamases in laboratory and their role in resistance Part I.: Evolution of bacterial resistance mediated by beta-lactamases].

Beta-lactamases are the commonest cause of bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. They have been classified phenotypically by their isoelectric point, substrate profile, susceptibility to inhibitors and genetic origin. Chromosomal beta-lactamases are typical for certain bacterial species and plasmid beta-lactamases are transferable between different species and genera. Sequencing of beta-lactamase genes enabled to divide them into four classes: A, B, C and D. The ability of a beta-lactamase to confer resistance depends on its location, kinetics, quantity and physicochemical conditions. First beta-lactamases were described soon after introduction of penicillin. Plasmid-mediated broad-spectrum beta-laktamases appeared in the middle 60-s of the XX century and confer resistance to penicillins and some first generation cephalosporins. They include TEM-1, TEM-2, SHV-1, ROB, BRO, OXA and PSE beta-lactamases and are transferred by conjugation between different species and strains of Gram-negative bacteria. The new beta-lactam agents nowadays are compromised mostly by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, inhibitor-resistant beta-lactamases and carbapenemases. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) were described for the first time 20 years ago and are derived from the parental TEM and SHV-1 beta-lactamases by mutations that alter the configuration of the active site to expand their spectrum of activity. They hydrolyse oxymino-cephalosporins and aztreonam. The rapid and accurate laboratory detection of ESBLs is important for choosing appropriate antibiotic therapy. Infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae producing ESBLs pose a therapeutic problem due to multiple antibiotic resistance which includes non-beta-lactam antibiotics as well. Carbapenems are the first-line antibiotics for treatment of such infections.

Bacteria↗

The impact of antimalarial drug resistance mutations on parasite fitness, and its implications for the evolution of resistance.

It is widely assumed in genetics that most mutations disrupt metabolism to some extent, and are consequently likely to be disadvantageous for the organisms that inherit them. This may apply to mutations encoding drug resistance in malaria, where the mutation may be disadvantageous in the absence of the drug, imposing a genetic 'cost' of resistance. We review several lines of evidence suggesting that such costs do occur, that they may be relatively large, and review their likely impact on the evolution of drug resistance in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Animals↗

Population genetics study of isoniazid resistance mutations and evolution of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The molecular basis for isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is complex. Putative isoniazid resistance mutations have been identified in katG, ahpC, inhA, kasA, and ndh. However, small sample sizes and related potential biases in sample selection have precluded the development of statistically valid and significant population genetic analyses of clinical isoniazid resistance. We present the first large-scale analysis of 240 alleles previously associated with isoniazid resistance in a diverse set of 608 isoniazid-susceptible and 403 isoniazid-resistant clinical M. tuberculosis isolates. We detected 12 mutant alleles in isoniazid-susceptible isolates, suggesting that these alleles are not involved in isoniazid resistance. However, mutations in katG, ahpC, and inhA were strongly associated with isoniazid resistance, while kasA mutations were associated with isoniazid susceptibility. Remarkably, the distribution of isoniazid resistance-associated mutations was different in isoniazid-monoresistant isolates from that in multidrug-resistant isolates, with significantly fewer isoniazid resistance mutations in the isoniazid-monoresistant group. Mutations in katG315 were significantly more common in the multidrug-resistant isolates. Conversely, mutations in the inhA promoter were significantly more common in isoniazid-monoresistant isolates. We tested for interactions among mutations and resistance to different drugs. Mutations in katG, ahpC, and inhA were associated with rifampin resistance, but only katG315 mutations were associated with ethambutol resistance. There was also a significant inverse association between katG315 mutations and mutations in ahpC or inhA and between mutations in kasA and mutations in ahpC. Our results suggest that isoniazid resistance and the evolution of multidrug-resistant strains are complex dynamic processes that may be influenced by interactions between genes and drug-resistant phenotypes.

Alleles↗

Reducing the cost of resistance; experimental evolution in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans.

We have studied compensatory evolution in a fludioxonil resistant mutant of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In an evolution experiment lasting for 27 weeks (about 3000 cell cycles) 35 parallel strains of this mutant evolved in three different environmental conditions. Our results show a severe cost of resistance (56%) in the absence of fludioxonil and in all conditions the mutant strain was able to restore fitness without loss of the resistance. In several cases, the evolved strain reached a higher fitness than the original sensitive ancestor. Fitness compensation occurred in one, two or three discrete steps. Genetic analysis of crosses between different evolved strains and between evolved and ancestral strains revealed interaction between compensatory mutations and provided information on the number of loci involved in fitness compensation. In addition, we discuss the opportunities for the experimental study of evolutionary processes provided by the filamentous fungus A. nidulans.

Aspergillus nidulans↗

[Evolution as resistance to entropy. II. A conservative role of the sexual reproduction].

It is claimed that biological meaning of the sex and meiotic genetic recombination is a creation of a barrier for evolution. The transition to sexuality is not merely a change in reproduction mode but a leap to a new known as cohesion. In a sexual population, the lineages of different individuals become tangled into multidimensional net, resulting in a creation of gene pool and new superindividual entity--biological species. A sexual individual can not reproduce its particular genocopy and its fitness is sacrificed to some extent for the fitness of the species. The competition between individuals is replaced with the competition between gene alleles given that the competitors have after all the common offspring. The genotype of the "outstanding" individuals with a highest fitness are not transmitted to next generation, being scattered and shuffled in new combination after unavoidable crossing with the "ordinary" partners. So, the sexual reproduction can evolve only as a whole. Genetic recombination in meiosis changes a character of mutations distribution among gametes enhancing the classes with mutation load both lower and higher than average. By this, an efficiency of the truncated selection (elimination of the individuals with multiple mutations) is enhanced and an ability to restore the initial genotype appears. Evolution within the species becomes reversible, which is equivalent to its virtual cessation. The species acquires an evolution resistance that can be overcome by rare concurrence of circumstances.

Animals↗

Application of HIV-1 genotypic-resistance testing prevents the evolution of further resistance mutations in heavily pretreated patients.

BACKGROUND: Resistance-associated mutations in HIV-1 evolve even under highly active antiretroviral therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of genotypic-resistance testing (GRT), to estimate the potential of a given antiretroviral therapy for prevention of further resistance mutations. STUDY DESIGN: Ten patients were treated prospectively with drugs, according to the results of a GRT. Five patients were allocated to group I in which antiretroviral therapy could be switched to an effective regimen (consisting of at least three sensitive drugs, from at least two different classes of antiretroviral substances). Five patients (group II) had no option for effective therapy, and continued to be treated non-effectively (at least one applicated substance class only intermediately sensitive, or resistant). GRT and quantitative viral cultures were performed longitudinally for 8 months. Also, plasma HIV-1 RNA, total CD4+ cells, and rates of productively infected CD4+ cells were determined. RESULTS: All the patients in group I showed a significant decrease of HIV-RNA of >1 log/ml (mean, -1.35 log/ml, P=0.025). The mean increase of CD4+ cells was 46 (not significant). The rate of productively infected CD4+ cells decreased significantly (mean, -16 productively infected CD4+ cells per 10(6) total CD4+ cells, P=0.04). In this group no further resistance mutations were detected after 8 months. In group II, none of the patients showed a significant decrease of HIV-1 RNA (mean, +0.05 log/ml), total CD4+ cells decreased (mean, -35, not significant), the rate of productively infected CD4+ cells increased significantly (mean, +124 productively infected CD4+ cells per 10(6) total CD4+ cells, P=0.04), and 4 of 5 patients had additional mutations in the RT gene conferring multi-drug resistance within 8 months (P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: GRT is predictive of the efficacy of a therapeutic regimen, in particular regarding evolution of further resistance mutations.

Adult↗

Modeling evolution of resistance to pyriproxyfen by the sweetpotato whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae).

We used computer simulations to examine evolution of resistance to the insect growth regulator (IGR) pyriproxyfen by the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), biotype B [=Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows & Perring)]. Consistent with trends seen in cotton (Gossipyium spp.) fields in Arizona and Israel, results suggest that evolution of resistance to pyriproxyfen may occur rapidly in this haplodiploid insect. Similar to results from models of diploid insects, resistance evolved faster with increases in toxin concentration, dominance of resistance in females, the initial frequency of the resistance allele, and the proportion of the region treated with pyriproxyfen. Resistance was delayed by fitness costs associated with resistance. Movement between treated and untreated cotton fields had little effect, probably because untreated cotton leaves provided internal refuges in treated fields and whiteflies were controlled with other insecticides in external refuges. Resistance evolved faster when susceptibility to pyriproxyfen was greater in susceptible males than susceptible females. In contrast, resistance evolved slower when susceptibility to pyriproxyfen was greater in resistant males than resistant females. Results suggest that growers may be able to prolong the usefulness of pyriproxyfen by applying lower toxin concentrations and promoting susceptible populations in refuges.

Animals↗

Effect of extended diapause on evolution of resistance to transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis corn by northern corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

We develop a population genetics model for the northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence, to examine the effect of extended diapause on the evolution of resistance to transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, Zea mays L. We model conditions found in the center of the extended diapause problem along the Minnesota-South Dakota-Iowa borders. The proportion of resistance alleles in eggs oviposited after 15 simulated years is used to measure the evolution of resistance. Sensitivity analysis indicates that although population genetics parameters (fecundity, initial egg density, density-dependent larval survival, random mating, insecticide mortality, and gene expression) affect the evolution of resistance, product characteristics (e.g., Bt toxin dose) and farmer management practices (e.g., insecticide use on refuge corn and rotation pattern) generally have a larger impact on the development of resistance. Exceptions to this generalization exist: 1) if the resistance allele is dominant, resistance evolves quickly; 2) the level of random mating is an important determinant of how quickly resistance evolves for a theoretical high dose product; and 3) small differences in insecticide mortality imply large differences in resistance for medium- and low-dose products with high levels of Bt corn adoption and a predominance of 1- and 2-yr corn rotations. When extended diapause spreads into a new area, it typically reduces resistance to Bt corn, assuming Bt corn is used only on continuous corn. In the study region where extended diapause already exists, increasing extended diapause (increasing hatch rates after two or three winters while holding total hatch constant), tends to increase resistance because the resistance increasing effect of the hatch rate after two winters dominates the resistance decreasing effect of the hatch rate after three winters. However, this is not always the case, because combinations of rotation pattern, toxin dose, and soil insecticide use exist for which the net effect of extended diapause decreases resistance. Results are interpreted as a combination of two offsetting effects. First, extended diapause injects older alleles with lower resistance allele frequencies into the breeding population, which slows resistance. Second, extended diapause speeds the population's recovery from perturbations (reduces the undercompensating density dependence of population dynamics), which accelerates resistance.

Animals↗

Mechanisms influencing the evolution of resistance to Qo inhibitor fungicides.

Fungicides inhibiting the mitochondrial respiration of plant pathogens by binding to the cytochrome bc1 enzyme complex (complex III) at the Qo site (Qo inhibitors, QoIs) were first introduced to the market in 1996. After a short time period, isolates resistant to QoIs were detected in field populations of a range of important plant pathogens including Blumeria graminis Speer f sp tritici, Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlecht ex Fr) Poll, Plasmopara viticola (Berk & MA Curtis ex de Bary) Berl & de Toni, Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk & MA Curtis) Rost, Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet and Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Wint. In most cases, resistance was conferred by a point mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene leading to an amino-acid change from glycine to alanine at position 143 (G143A), although additional mutations and mechanisms have been claimed in a number of organisms. Transformation of sensitive protoplasts of M fijiensis with a DNA fragment of a resistant M fijiensis isolate containing the mutation yielded fully resistant transformants, demonstrating that the G143A substitution may be the most powerful transversion in the cyt b gene conferring resistance. The G143A substitution is claimed not to affect the activity of the enzyme, suggesting that resistant individuals may not suffer from a significant fitness penalty, as was demonstrated in B graminis f sp tritici. It is not known whether this observation applies also for other pathogen species expressing the G143A substitution. Since fungal cells contain a large number of mitochondria, early mitotic events in the evolution of resistance to QoIs have to be considered, such as mutation frequency (claimed to be higher in mitochondrial than nuclear DNA), intracellular proliferation of mitochondria in the heteroplasmatic cell stage, and cell to cell donation of mutated mitochondria. Since the cyt b gene is located in the mitochondrial genome, inheritance of resistance in filamentous fungi is expected to be non-Mendelian and, therefore, in most species uniparental. In the isogamous fungus B graminis f sp tritici, crosses of sensitive and resistant parents yielded cleistothecia containing either sensitive or resistant ascospores and the segregation pattern for resistance in the F1 progeny population was 1:1. In the anisogamous fungus V inaequalis, donation of resistance was maternal and the segregation ratio 1:0. In random mating populations, the sex ratio (mating type distribution) is generally assumed to be 1:1. Therefore, the overall proportion of sensitive and resistant individuals in unselected populations is expected to be 1:1. Evolution of resistance to QoIs will depend mainly on early mitotic events; the selection process for resistant mutants in populations exposed to QoI treatments may follow mechanisms similar to those described for resistance controlled by single nuclear genes in other fungicide classes. It will remain important to understand how the mitochondrial nature of QoI resistance and factors such as mutation, recombination, selection and migration might influence the evolution of QoI resistance in different plant pathogens.

Biological Evolution↗

Evolution of resistance with sequential application of insecticides in time and space.

The effect, on the evolution of resistance, of alternating two unrelated insecticides in space or in time (or both) is studied. Transient polymorphism is shown to occur under certain conditions of mating, selection and migration. In some situations, the transient polymorphism can show a sharp decline before the alleles recover to fixation. Alternating a single insecticide in space, and in space and time, is also considered. Neither alternation in space nor in time shows any advantage with regard to delaying the onset of resistance. The most promising mode is to alternate the presence and absence of a single insecticide in both space and time, especially if it is applied at the larval stage and if some form of biological control is used in the regions where no insecticide is applied.

Animals↗

Dominance variation across six herbicides of the Arabidopsis thaliana csr1-1 and csr1-2 resistance alleles.

Dominance of a resistance trait can be defined as a measure of the relative position of the phenotype of the heterozygote RS compared with the phenotype of the two corresponding homozygotes, SS and RR. This parameter has been shown to have primary importance in the dynamics of pesticide resistance evolution. Literature on insecticide resistance suggests that dominance levels in the presence of insecticide vary greatly from completely recessive to completely dominant. With insecticides, both the chemical applied and the dosages used have been demonstrated to affect the dominance. By contrast, almost all herbicide resistances have been found to be inherited as partially to totally dominant traits. This discrepancy between weeds and insects may partly result from the methodologies applied to measure the dominance, ie a single dose for herbicide versus several doses for insecticide. Using two well-known resistances (csr1-1 and csr1-2) to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors in Arabidopsis thaliana (L) Heynh (mouse-ear cress), we used several herbicide doses to determine the dominance level to six ALS-inhibiting herbicides. The dominance level in the presence of herbicide varied from completely dominant to completely recessive, depending on the resistance allele and the herbicide tested. The dominance of the csr1-1 and csr1-2 resistance alleles ranged from 0 (completely recessive) to 1.1 (dominant) and from 0 to 0.3 (partially dominant), respectively. The recessivity of some resistance alleles in the presence of herbicide could lead to the development of improved resistance management in order to delay or avoid herbicide resistance evolution, especially in the control of outcrossing weed species.

Alleles↗