PRESENCE OF WEED BIOTYPES WITH SUSPECTED RESISTANCE TO GLYPHOSATE IN THE AGROECOSYSTEM OF CITRUS ORCHARDS IN CUBA: A LATENT THREAT

In the last few years, there has been evidence for weeds escaping glyphosate control in Cuban citrus orchards using current control doses (1440 g active ingredient/ha) and the four annual treatments recommended for this crop. Melochia pyramidata L., Dichanthium annulatum (Forsk.) Staff, Momordicha charantia L. and Chamaesyce prostrate (Ait.) Small, show increasing resistance to this herbicide that has been preferred by the agricultural enterprises for over 10 years. Some weeds like Bidens pilosa L. and Lepidium virginicum L. have been problematic in enterprises in various areas of the country (Ceiba in La Habana and Arimao in Cienfuegos) where they occupy over 50% of the infested fields. The frequent presence of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link. and Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn is also of interest considering that they have been reported as resistant to glyphosate in countries like Argentina, Australia and the USA.
This work describes the most suspicious species in the different regions of Cuba and warn about a situation which, in the immediate future, could complicate the management of citrus orchards.