Molecular Tools Help Understand Spread of Weed Genotypes

Molecular tools can be extremely useful in determining the spread of weed genotypes and gene flow. The paper by the group of Christopher Preston in University of Adelaide and Indonesian colleagues, discussed how molecular tools can help detect the movement of herbicide resistance genes within and between plant populations.

Three case studies were presented as a guide how to choose the most appropriate molecular tool for answering specific research questions. These include: a) detection of herbicide resistance in barley grass using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, b) estimation of the degree of outcrossing between varieties of canola using inter-sequence simple repeat (ISSR) markers, and c) determination of herbicide resistance in blackgrass using PCR amplification of specific alleles (PASA).

Preston’s group stress that the choice of molecular marker will depend on the reproductive biology of the species studied (obligate outcrosser, self-fertilising, apomictic or clonal). Pollination biology of the species is an important factor for consideration as gene flow is intimately linked to the mode of reproduction.

The paper, published by the journal Crop Protection, can be accessed by subscribers at
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2006.06.018