Paraquat Resistance of Sumatran Fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis)

ABSTRACT: In Brazil, some populations of Conyza bonariensis and C. canadensis are glyphosate resistant and there are populations of C. sumatrensis (Sumatran fleabane) presenting multiple resistance to both glyphosate and chlorimuron. During the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons, growers reported failures to control Sumatran fleabane with paraquat. This study investigated the potential of paraquat resistant Sumatran fleabane populations in Paraná state, Brazil. Populations with suspected paraquat resistance were tested in the field in 2016 season. In 2017, seeds from these populations were collected, sown and grown in a greenhouse. Paraquat dose-response curve experiments were performed in Mogi Mirim, SP; Londrina, PR and Palotina, PR using doses of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 g ha-1, following all standard criteria for confirmation of weed resistance cases. Percentage control was assessed at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after application and data were fitted to a nonlinear, log-logistic model, and dose response curves were generated. The results of this study confirmed significant levels of resistance of Sumatran fleabane biotypes to paraquat with resistance factors between 3,57 to 34,29. Therefore, the first case of C. sumatrensis resistance to paraquat was confirmed in biotypes from the western area of Paraná state, Brazil.