Semidominant Soybean Mutation for Resistance to Sulfonylurea Herbicides

Abstract
A soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. I mutation conferring resistance to a wide range of sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides would greatly enhance the weed control options available to soybean farmers. This report describes the selection, characterization, and potential utility of such mutants. Seed mutagenesis (using N‐nitroso‐N‐methylurea and ethyl methanesulfonate) followed by selection for resistance to chlorsulfuron [2‐chloro‐N‐[(4‐methoxy‐6‐methyl‐l,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)aminocarbonyl] benzenesulfonamide] yielded a soybean mutant with a high degree of resistance to both postemergence and pre‐emergence applications of a variety of SU herbicides. Resistance was monogenic, semidominant, and not allelic to any of the previously identified recessive genes hs1, hs2, or hs3 that confer tolerance to SU herbicides. Biochemical tests indicate that the mechanism of resistance is reduced sensitivity of acetolactate synthase to SU inhibition. The SU resistance afforded by this mutation (designated Alsl) can be used to enhance soybean weed control options and can serve as a selectable marker for seed purification.