Rapid in-season detection of herbicide resistant Alopecurus myosuroides using a mobile fluorescence imaging sensor

- An in-season herbicide resistance detection method is proposed.
- The mechanism relies on measurements of Photosystem II reaction against the herbicide stress.
- This system is capable for field application.

WeedPAM has been introduced as a new chlorophyll fluorescence imaging sensor to detect herbicide stress in weeds a few days after treatment (DAT). In this study, it was investigated if the sensor could differentiate between 50 sensitive and herbicide resistant populations of Alopecurus myosuroides 5 DAT. Resistance profile of all populations had been analyzed in standard greenhouse bioassays. Populations were sown in winter wheat at several locations in Germany over two years. At 3-7 leaves growth stage, they were treated with four ALS- and three ACCase-inhibitors at recommended dosages. Five DAT, maximum quantum efficiency of PS II was measured with the WeedPAM sensor on 40 A. myosuroides plants per treatment. Based on the sensor data, populations were classified into sensitive and resistant populations. Classification was verified by a visual assessment of all treatments and populations 21 DAT. In total, 95% of the WeedPAM classifications 5 DAT were correct. We could demonstrate that WeedPAM is capable to detect herbicide resistant A. myosuroides populations shortly after treatment. This allows selecting alternative weed control methods against resistant weed populations in the same growing season.