A Review on Responses of Chenopodium album L. to Glyphosate

Chenopodium album L. is a highly problematic weed in agricultural systems, exhibiting resistance or tolerance to multiple herbicides. This weed significantly impacts crop growth and yield, threatening global agricultural production. Since the introduction of genetically modified herbicide-resistant crops, glyphosate has become a primary option for controlling C. album. However, the continuous application of glyphosate has led to shifts in weed community composition, favoring species that are more challenging to manage, and thus complicating weed control efforts. Although glyphosate resistance in C. album has not been confirmed, varying tolerance among populations brings practical problems to weed evolution. This review provides a synthesis of the progress on the mechanisms of glyphosate tolerance in C. album. Key factors influencing plant responses to glyphosate are examined, including target proteins, encoding genes, morphological and physiological traits, transport capacity, and metabolic detoxification processes. The existing evidence indicates that glyphosate tolerance in C. album is driven primarily by non-target-site adaptations or morpho-physiological changes, not target-site mutations. The insights gained from this review will aid in designing precision approaches to manage glyphosate-tolerant weeds in agricultural systems.