First case of glyphosate-resistance confirmed in Ireland

It comes just three months after the UK’s first case of glyphosate-resistance was discovered in a weed in Kent, England. File picture.

Ireland’s first case of glyphosate-resistant grass weed has been confirmed by Teagasc.

Resistance was identified in a population of Italian ryegrass weed in field conditions and tested under lab and glasshouse conditions.

It comes just three months after the UK’s first case of glyphosate-resistance was discovered in a weed in Kent, England.

Italian ryegrass is already a major challenge on some Irish tillage farms, with some populations resistant to selective herbicides used in crops.

Owing to the broad-spectrum activity of glyphosate, glyphosate resistance is a much greater challenge as it severely limits remaining control options.

Based on both glasshouse assessments and a molecular analysis of the confirmed Italian ryegrass population, Dr Vijaya Bhaskar, weed researcher, Teagasc Crops Research Department, Oak Park, confirmed the findings.

Symptoms of glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-sensitive populations of Italian ryegrass following application of glyphosate. Both populations were treated with dose rates from 540g/ha to 1440g/ha (the maximum rate allowed in any single year). Picture: Teagasc

“The suspect Italian ryegrass population was tested with different glyphosate products at four rates. Of concern was the fact that all products were ineffective, even at the maximum allowed rate. Molecular analysis revealed a known target-site mutation at the EPSPS Pro-106-Ser position, which has been associated with glyphosate resistance," he said.

It marks the first confirmed case in Ireland, more than 50 years after the introduction of glyphosate.

However, it's not the first case of resistance reported internationally. So far, more than 50 weed species worldwide have developed glyphosate resistance. In Europe, this is mainly seen in perennial crops like orchards and vineyards, but glyphosate resistance in Italian ryegrass has also been found in cereal crops in Italy in 2012 and in the UK in 2025.

Commenting on this development, Dr Ewen Mullins, Head of the Teagasc Crops Science Department, stated that the finding is indeed concerning and will require further investigation to assess the population’s resistance to other herbicide types, and develop additional actions, including drastic cultural methods if, or when, required.