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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Production Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322193
Title: Distinguishing between weedy Amaranthus species based on intron one sequences from the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS)gene

Author
item Wright, Alice
item Molin, William
item Nandula, Vijay

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2016
Publication Date: 3/23/2016
Citation: Wright, A.A., Molin, W.T., Nandula, V.K. 2016. Distinguishing between weedy Amaranthus species based on intron one sequences from the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS)gene. Pest Management Science. DOI 10.1002/ps.4280.

Interpretive Summary: Pigweed species are difficult to identify correctly when at the seedling stage of development when it is most critical to apply herbicides correctly. Scientists in the USDA-ARS Crop Production Systems Research Unit, Stoneville, MS conducted research to identify species correctly based on polymerase chain reactions with species specific primers. These results provide a means to correctly identify species and also detect whether hybridization has occurred between species. This technique could be readily applied to other closely related weed species in a plant community.

Technical Abstract: Hybridization between Amaranthus species and the potential for herbicide resistance to be transferred by hybridization are of growing concern in the weed science community. It is important to confirm suspect hybrid populations early to develop an effective control strategy. With this in mind, a PCR test was developed to quickly identify weedy amaranths and any hybrids. The sequences of intron one for the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene were determined from A. retroflexus, A. blitoides, A. viridis, A. tuberculatus, and A. hybridus. These sequences were aligned and primers were developed in areas where the sequence differed between species. Species specific primers and cycle conditions were successfully developed. These primers produce a single robust band only for the species for which they were designed. This allows identification of a weedy amaranth or suspect hybrid in a few hours. Using a similar target, it may be possible to design similar, simple PCR tests to identify even more difficult to distinguish weed species or weeds prone to hybridization.