Modelling the effects of ecology, management and genetics on the evolution of herbicide resistance with PERTH

The way weeds evolve resistance to herbicides depends on a complex interaction between the underlying genetics, the weed management used by the farmer, and the biology of the weed species. PERTH (Polygenic Evolution of Resistance To Herbicides) is an individual-based model created to simulate these complex interactions and predict the rates and patterns of resistance evolution in a wide range of different conditions. PERTH can help evaluate the efficacy of management options such as herbicide rotation, maintaining robust herbicide rates at high efficacy, and using non-chemical methods of control such as strategic tillage, and how the efficacy of these options depends on the genetics underlying the resistance. PERTH can also help predict how biological or ecological factors can affect the evolution of resistance, including factors such as seed bank longevity and dormancy, fecundity, seed dispersal, and rates of self-fertilisation versus out-crossing.