Is it possible to detect Echinochloa spp. tolerance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides using a simple quick tolerance test?

The objective of this work was to evaluate the reliability of one quick tolerance test that would enable us, in only six days, to quantify tolerance levels of one biotype to one or more herbicides. For this purpose, we evaluated tolerance levels to cyhalofop-butyl of five Echinochloa spp. biotypes: muricata, crus-galli, crus-pavonis, oryzicola and utilis, with unknown records of herbicide treatment. Moreover, two biotypes of Echinochloa phyllopogon were tested, one of them resistant (R) to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and the other one susceptible (S). The Oryza sativa Puntal var. and Oryza sativa var. (wild rice) were also checked in order to demonstrate cyhalofop-butyl selectivity profiles. The assays were conducted with petri-dishes where, over the following increasing doses, fifty seeds per biotype and dose, were placed in each one: 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 48 and 60 ppm of cyhalofop-butyl and codacide oil adjuvant. Six days later, the following parameters were evaluated: plumule length, root length, germination (%) and fresh weight reduction (%). E. muricata germination was reduced by 50% with a 6 ppm dose. A non linear relation dose-germination was observed in the rest of the biotypes. The plumule length permitted the ranking of the biotypes into three groups: (1) resistant (E. phyllopogon R) or very tolerant (Oryza sativa Puntal var. and wild rice), those with a reduction of less than 30%, (2) tolerant, between 30 and 60% (E. oryzicola), and (3) susceptible, with a reduction of over 80% (E. muricata, E. crus-galli, E. crus-pavonis, E. utilis and E. phyllopogon S). Only Oryzo sativa and E. phyllopogon R had a minimal reduction of fresh weight (less than 15%). The assays were repeated with whole plants and we checked the accuracy of this test that indicated the resistance level of one biotype in a quick, reliable and economic way.