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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » Natural Products Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #392257
Research Project: Discovery and Development of Natural Product-Based Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals

Location: Natural Products Utilization Research

Title: The potential influence of hormesis on evolution of resistance to herbicides

Author
item BELZ, REGINA - University Of Hohenheim
item CARBONARI, CAIO - Universidad De Sao Paulo
item DUKE, STEPHEN - University Of Mississippi

Submitted to: Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2022
Publication Date: 3/30/2022
Citation: Belz, R.G., Carbonari, C.A., Duke, S.O. 2022. The potential influence of hormesis on evolution of resistance to herbicides. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100360.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100360

Interpretive Summary: Hormesis is the stimulatory effect of a subtoxic dose of a toxin. Hormesis a common response of both herbicide-sensitive and -resistant plants to herbicides. Herbicide resistance in weeds is rapidly evolving, and, although little studied, there is growing evidence that hormesis plays a role in the changes in sensitivity of weed populations to herbicides. This can occur in sensitive weed populations in which hormesis favors a subpopulation of more vigorous plants. At recommended application doses for weed control, a hormetic dose is likely to favorably influence a significant proportion of the herbicide-resistant weeds, enhancing their propagation and spread.

Technical Abstract: Hormesis is a common response of both herbicide-sensitive and -resistant plants to herbicides. Herbicide resistance in weeds is rapidly evolving, and, although little studied, there is growing evidence that hormesis plays a role in the changes in sensitivity of weed populations to herbicides. This can occur in sensitive weed populations in which hormesis favors a subpopulation of more vigorous plants. At recommended application doses for weed control, a hormetic dose is likely to favorably influence a significant proportion of the herbicide-resistant weeds, enhancing their propagation and spread.