Figure 2.

Potential strategies for the development of PQ-resistant crops

Thanks to extensive studies in weeds and Arabidopsis, major PQ resistance mechanisms have been elucidated and the pertinent genes identified; these can serve as candidate genes for the development of PQ-resistant crops. Multiple genes contribute to PQ resistance, making the pyramiding of different PQ resistance genes a powerful strategy for PQ-resistant crop development. Because PQ translocation and sequestration are the major PQ resistance mechanisms in weeds, these mechanisms may be prioritized for PQ-resistant crops, in addition to metabolic detoxification. The genes that confer PQ resistance in Arabidopsis could be pyramided in crops by gene editing to knock out the crop allelic PDR11, RMV1, PAR1, PQT3, and PST1 and by increasing the expression of the crop allelic DTX6, DTX6D, and PQT11. The development of crops that are resistant to commercial-level PQ applications by pyramiding is a promising strategy.