The increase of the number of weed plants resistant to enzyme acetolactate sintase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides of is a subject frequently discussed by farmers and scientific community. In Brazil, nine species were registered with such problem. The objective of this work was to determine the genetic diversity of wild poinsettia (Euphorbia heterophylla L.) ALS-resistant populations. Forty populations deriving from seeds collected in areas of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with resistance suspicion, were selected from the previous application of herbicides in greenhouse. Twenty plants of each population were sampled for DNA extraction. Analysis of 30 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were performed. Each marker had 10 oligonucleotide of arbitrary sequence. On the grouping analysis, the overall coefficient of similarity was 40% and the populations were separated in seven groups. The populations of the counties of Pontão, Augusto Pestana and Não-me-Toque were genetically different. There is genetic variability related to herbicide resistence among E. heterophylla populations from plateaus of the State of Rio Grande do Sul.
weeds; genetic variation; genetic polymorphism; enzyme inhibitors
