Research Into Better Ryegrass Management

Researchers have made a scientific breakthrough which could significantly advance understanding herbicide resistance in ryegrass, with the new information set to help combat the weed for Australian grain growers.

Scientists from the University of Melbourne and CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have completed the sequencing of the ryegrass genome, which will provide an understanding of how certain genes construct and deconstruct protein to build herbicide resistance.

Sequencing a genome determines the entirety of a DNA sequence of an organism and its DNA patterns.

University of Melbourne senior lecturer in the Faculty of Science, Dr Alex FournierLevel, said understanding ryegrass’ DNA patterns is the start of being able to identify the presence of resistant genes and how they form.

“In the future, we’re wanting to be able to test the DNA of a weed in the paddock, sequence it and diagnose its level of resistant genes,” he said.

“In theory, we’ll be able to test a grower’s ryegrass and tell them in a timely manner which kind of resistance they may have and how best to treat it – as we’ll be able to easily identify whether their population has resistant genes present.”

“DNA technology could allow an in-season diagnosis of herbicide resistance, to help growers manage resistant ryegrass varieties early, giving them more opportunity to control the weed,” he said.

More information on this work can be found via CSIRO’s Australian Pest Genome Partnership (APGP) project page at: https://appliedgenomics. csiro.au/projects/apgp/