Study of the correlation between the occurrence of viruses inhabiting cornflower plants (Centaurea cyanus L.) and the phenomenon of herbicide resistance.

Weed resistance to herbicides is one of the more serious problems in plant protection. The first reports on this subject date back to the late fifties of the last century. In subsequent years, the problem related to weeds acquiring resistance intensified and currently, the occurrence of over 260 resistant biotypes has been confirmed in 70 countries, including Poland. Resistance can be caused by mutations in nucleotide sequences encoding specific proteins that are the site of action of the active substance of the herbicide (Target Site Resistance, TSR) or by reduced uptake and movement of the active substance, its sequestration, or increased metabolism (Non Target Site Resistance, NTSR). In a given weed population, both TSR and NTSR resistance can occur. The use of herbicides is probably the factor that causes the fastest changes in weed populations. However, there are reports that the presence of bacteria or viruses can also contribute to increasing plant tolerance to abiotic factors, which also include pesticides used in plant protection. The aim of the project will be to verify the hypothesis that there is a correlation between the presence of viruses and bacteria infecting weeds, and the resistance to herbicides of cornflower biotypes (Centaurea cyanus L.).