Target-Site Mutations and Expression of <i>ALS</i> Gene Copies Vary According to <i>Echinochloa</i> Species

The sustainability of rice cropping systems is jeopardized by the large number and variety of populations of polyploid <i>Echinochloa</i> spp. resistant to ALS inhibitors. Better knowledge of the <i>Echinochloa</i> species present in Italian rice fields and the study of <i...

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Main Authors: Silvia Panozzo, Elisa Mascanzoni, Laura Scarabel, Andrea Milani, Giliardi Dalazen, Aldo J. Merotto, Patrick J. Tranel, Maurizio Sattin
Format: article
Language:EN
Published: MDPI AG 2021
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Online Access:https://doaj.org/article/3f384c4df5a647edb924b50b2581e8d9
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Summary:The sustainability of rice cropping systems is jeopardized by the large number and variety of populations of polyploid <i>Echinochloa</i> spp. resistant to ALS inhibitors. Better knowledge of the <i>Echinochloa</i> species present in Italian rice fields and the study of <i>ALS</i> genes involved in target-site resistance could significantly contribute to a better understanding of resistance evolution and management. Using a CAPS-<i>rbcL</i> molecular marker, two species, <i>E. crus-galli</i> (L.) P. Beauv. and <i>E. oryzicola</i> (Vasinger) Vasing., were identified as the most common species in rice in Italy. Mutations involved in ALS inhibitor resistance in the different species were identified and associated with the <i>ALS</i> homoeologs. The relative expression of the <i>ALS</i> gene copies was evaluated. Molecular characterization led to the identification of three <i>ALS</i> genes in <i>E. crus-galli</i> and two in <i>E. oryzicola</i>. The two species also carried different point mutations conferring resistance: Ala122Asn in <i>E. crus-galli</i> and Trp574Leu in <i>E. oryzicola</i>. Mutations were carried in the same gene copy (<i>ALS1</i>), which was significantly more expressed than the other copies (<i>ALS2</i> and <i>ALS3</i>) in both species. These results explain the high resistance level of these populations and why mutations in the other <i>ALS</i> copies are not involved in herbicide resistance.