Crossing abilities of ALS target-site resistant black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.)

Black-grass crossings were conducted outdoor for two successive years in a way to determine the percentage of resistant black-grass that can be engendered in one generation, after the introduction of one target-site resistant individual. After germination, plants were genotyped and couples of resistant and susceptible individuals were formed, then planted outdoor and enclosed with a pollen-proof cloth to avoid any external pollen contamination. Seeds were collected and tested in glasshouses with herbicide spraying. DNA analyses were also performed on surviving plants to distinguish hetero- from homozygotes. The resistance level of the progeny seems to be fairly high and Mendelean distribution is generally confirmed. The offspring of self-crossings was also observed to assess the facultative autogamy ability, according to the genotype and the presence of mutant ALS alleles (position W-574).