ALS INHIBITOR HERBICIDE-RESISTANT BETA VULGARIS MUTANTS

Abstract

The present invention relates to Beta vulgaris plants or parts of plants having a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein that contains an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371. Such plants are characterized in that they have increased tolerance to ALS inhibitor herbicides. The present invention further relates to methods for producing such plants as well as methods for identifying such plants.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of crop protection. In particular, the present invention relates to Beta vulgaris plants or parts thereof that are resistant or tolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) herbicides, as well as methods for producing and / or identifying such plants or plant parts, and the use of such plants or plant parts in methods for controlling undesirable vegetation.

[0002] 2. Background of the Invention Acetolactate synthase (ALS) is an essential part of the branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic pathway leading to leucine, isoleucine, and valine. ALS is conserved across species, with the enzymes in bacteria, yeast, and higher plants showing considerable sequence similarity (Mazur et al. (1987): Isolation and characterization of plant genes-coding for acetolactate synthase, the target enzyme for 2 classes of herbicides. Plant Physiol. 85, 1110-1117). Interestingly, animals do not have a branched-chain amino acid pathway and therefore must obtain these amino acids from their diet. ALS is the first in a series of enzymes involved in the biosynthetic cycle of leucine and valine present in chloroplasts. In Arabidopsis, AtALS forms a tetramer consisting of four identical subunits. Each subunit contains thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) as a prosthetic group and catalyzes the production of acetolactate from two molecules of pyruvate. Thereby, TPP reacts with one molecule of pyruvate to form hydroxyethyl-TPP and CO2. The hydroxyethyl residue of TPP is then transferred to a second molecule of pyruvate to form acetolactate, which is then further processed to valine and leucine. In parallel, ALS catalyzes threonine and one molecule of pyruvate to 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate, which is further processed to isoleucine. ALS activity is feedback inhibited by leucine and valine, which bind synergistically to two separate domains of ALS to inhibit its activity.

[0003] ALS is the target enzyme for four classes of structurally unrelated herbicides (HRAC class B): sulfonylureas, sulfnylamino-carbonyl-triazolinones, imidazolinones, and triazolopyrimidines. These herbicide classes form the basis of over 50 commercial herbicides and are used worldwide to protect important crops of rice, corn, wheat, and cotton. Sulfonylureas and imidazolinones bind to ALS and subsequently inhibit ALS activity. The sulfonyl group and adjacent aromatic ring of the herbicide are located at the entrance of the substrate channel leading to the active site of the enzyme, and the rest of the molecule is inserted into the channel (McCourt et al. (2006): Herbicide-binding sites revealed in the structure of plant acetohydroxyacid synthase. Proe. Natl. Aead. Sei. USA 103, 569-573). Substrates, such as pyruvate, are no longer accessible to the enzyme active center. This leads to inhibition of the biosynthesis of leucine, valine and isoleucine, causing a herbicidal effect.

[0004] Shortly after sulfonylureas and imidazolinones were introduced to the herbicide market, resistant weeds began to appear (www.weedscience.org). These resistances are most commonly due to single point mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions. The most comprehensively characterized mutation is that of W574 (numbers indicate positions based on the protein sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana), which confers herbicide resistance in several plants. The tryptophan residue serves to anchor both classes of herbicides to the enzyme and is important in defining the shape of the active site channel. As a result, the commonly observed mutation of this residue to leucine changes the shape of the herbicide binding site, resulting in the loss of some interactions (Endo et al. (2013): Herbicide-resistant mutations in acetolactate synthase can reduce feedback inhibition and lead to accumulation of branched-chain amino acids. Food and Nutrition Sei. 4, 31233.).

[0005] A sulfonylurea- and imidazolinone-resistant sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. spp. vulgaris) mutant was identified many years ago by incubation of beet cell cultures on SU-containing medium followed by callus induction and plant repair. This mutant line carries the mutation W569L (corresponding to W574L in the Arabidopsis thaliana protein sequence) and is resistant to sulfonylureas and imidazolinones, namely foramsulfuron and thiencarbazone-methyl, and serves as a donor line for developing herbicide-resistant varieties (WO 2012 / 049268). A weed control system in sugar beet utilizing the aforementioned herbicide resistance has been commercialized for several years under the brand CONVISO® SMART (www.convisosmart.com). Such herbicide-resistant sugar beet homozygously carries W569L to ensure maximum protection. WO 2014 / 091021 discloses a study with 22 different ALS inhibitor herbicides in sugar beet, showing that the homozygous state of W569L confers resistance to all herbicides tested, with only seven herbicide compositions having moderate toxicity. In contrast, sugar beet plants heterozygous at position 569 became only partially resistant to some herbicide compositions. Twelve herbicide compositions showed significant toxic effects, with seven showing moderate toxicity. Thus, the use of the homozygous state of W569L is clearly advantageous for commercial applications.

[0006] However, the production of hybrid sugar beet seeds homozygous for W569L requires a lot of effort during breeding, since the mutation needs to be introduced and maintained in both the maternal and paternal pools. Furthermore, any unwanted foreign pollination during hybrid production, for example by wild beet, will result in heterozygous hybrid seeds, so high requirements for seed quality control need to be met in order to provide farmers with only seeds homozygously carrying W569L. This entails additional costs and time for hybrid seed production.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to further improve ALS inhibitor resistance in Beta vulgaris of sugar beet and other cultivars such as fodder beet, red beet or Swiss chard.

[0008] Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to the technical field of crop protection by using ALS (acetolactate synthase; also known as AHAS (acetohydroxyacid synthase; EC 2.2.1.6; formerly EC 4.1.3.18)) inhibitor herbicides against undesirable vegetation in areas growing Beta vulgaris plants such as sugar beet, fodder beet, Swiss chard or red beet.

[0009] Although ALS mutations have been reported in several weeds, it cannot be expected a priori that it is feasible to introduce such mutations into crop plants and that they will mediate the desired effect. Indeed, to confer ALS inhibitor resistance, especially in crop plants, and especially in Beta vulgaris, which is known to be highly sensitive to ALS inhibitor herbicides, it is necessary to establish robust herbicide resistance. In this context, it is known that some identified ALS mutations only confer partial herbicide resistance, thereby hindering their commercial exploitation. In many cases, it may even be necessary to combine multiple mutations to achieve an agronomically useful and stable ALS inhibitor herbicide resistance. Moreover, ALS mutations may only confer resistance to a select number of ALS inhibitor herbicides, resulting in limited options for weed control. In addition, it has been described that ALS mutations may have a negative effect on growth characteristics and / or fertility, which is undesirable, especially in crop plants. Also, the ALS mutation may need to be present in a homozygous state to confer robust herbicide resistance, which can pose problems in breeding, especially if cross production is desired.

[0010] We have surprisingly found that mutating the Beta vulgaris ALS protein at position 371 confers robust ALS inhibitor herbicide resistance to a wide variety of ALS inhibitor herbicides while retaining growth characteristics, and even more surprisingly, heterozygous ALS mutants proved to be equally resistant.

[0011] Thus, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a Beta vulgaris plant comprising a mutation in the ALS gene in which the aspartic acid at position 371 of the encoded ALS enzyme is replaced with another amino acid, preferably glutamic acid. The present invention further provides novel non-transgenic Beta vulgaris donor lines that can be used to develop hybrid Beta vulgaris varieties resistant to ALS-inhibiting herbicides.

[0012] The amino acid substitution D371E is based on a point mutation at nucleotide position 1141 of SEQ ID NO:4, replacing a T with an A. As a result, the codon from nucleotide position 1139 to nucleotide position 1141 in wild-type GAT is changed to GAA. The corresponding position in the cDNA is nucleotide positions 1111-1113.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for crop protection by using an ALS inhibitor herbicide against undesirable vegetation in a growing area of ​​Beta vulgaris plants containing a mutation in the ALS gene in which aspartic acid at position 371 of the encoded ALS enzyme is replaced with another amino acid, preferably glutamic acid.

[0014] An advantageous aspect of the present invention is that there is a new and independent donor for ALS-inhibiting herbicide resistance, which may help to avoid undesirable adverse effects that may occur in other known donor lines due to, for example, pleiotropic effects of the respective mutations or other negative linkage drags associated with the mutations.

[0015] Furthermore, if the same donor is used for both hybridization pools for the production of hybrid sugar beet, inbreeding depression may be observed, which may lead to a potential yield gap. The new donor of the present invention allows that different donors for herbicide resistance may be used for both pools, for example one pool with the W569L mutation (see SEQ ID NOs: 10-12) and another pool according to the present invention, for example with the ALS D371E mutation (see SEQ ID NOs: 1-3), thereby solving the above problem.

[0016] Furthermore, it may be an option to use new donors for independent production (herbicide-resistant sugar beet lines) carrying only the mutation according to the invention, for example the ALS D371E mutation, in heterozygosity or homozygosity.

[0017] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to polynucleic acids encoding the mutant ALS proteins according to the invention, as well as vectors comprising such polynucleic acids and host cells comprising such polynucleic acids or vectors.

[0018] In further aspects, the present invention relates to methods for producing plants comprising a mutant ALS protein according to the invention, as well as methods for identifying plants comprising a mutant ALS protein according to the invention.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of an ALS inhibitor herbicide for controlling undesirable vegetation in a crop area, wherein the crop plants comprise a mutant ALS protein according to the invention.

[0020] The present invention is particularly captured by the appended claims, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] Detailed Description of the Invention Before describing the present systems and methods of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular systems and methods or combinations described, and the terminology used herein is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

[0022] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0023] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "comprises," and "comprised of" are synonymous with "including," "includes," or "containing," and "contains," and are inclusive or open-ended, and do not exclude additional, unrecited members, elements, or method steps. As used herein, the terms "comprising," "comprises," and "comprised of" will be understood to include the terms "consisting of," "consists," and "consists of," as well as the terms "consisting essentially of," "consists essentially," and "consists essentially of."

[0024] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all values ​​and fractions subsumed within the respective ranges in addition to the recited endpoints.

[0025] As used herein, the term "about" or "approximately," when referring to a measurable value, e.g., a parameter, amount, duration in time, etc., is meant to encompass a variation of no more than ±20%, preferably no more than ±10%, more preferably no more than ±5%, and even more preferably no more than ±1% of the specified value, to the extent that such variations are appropriate for the disclosed invention. It is to be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" or "approximately" refers is itself specifically and preferably disclosed.

[0026] While the term "one or more" or "at least one," e.g., one or more or at least one member of a group of members, is in itself clear, by way of further illustration, the term specifically encompasses a referent of any one of the aforementioned members, or any two or more of the aforementioned members, e.g., any >= 3, >= 4, >= 5, >= 6 or >= 7 of the aforementioned members, etc., up to and including all of the aforementioned members.

[0027] All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, and in particular the teachings of all documents specifically referenced herein are incorporated by reference.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the present invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. As a further guide, definitions of terms are included to better understand the teachings of the present invention.

[0029] Standard references setting out the general principles of recombinant DNA technology include Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 4th ed., (Green and Sambrook et al., 2012, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, ed. Ausubel et al., Greene Publishing and Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1992 (with periodic updates) (“Ausubel et al. 1992”); the series Methods in Enzymology (Academic Press, Inc.); Innis et al., PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Academic Press: San Diego, 1990; PCR 2: A Practical Approach (MJ MacPherson, BD Hames and GR Taylor eds. (1995); Harlow and Lane, eds. (1988) Antibodies, a Laboratory Manual; and Animal Cell Culture (RI Freshney, ed. (1987). General principles of microbiology are set forth, for example, in Davis, BD et al., Microbiology, 3rd edition, Harper & Row, publishers, Philadelphia, Pa. (1980).

[0030] In the following text, the different aspects of the invention are defined in more detail. Each aspect thus defined can be combined with any other aspect or aspects, unless it is clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous can be combined with any other feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous.

[0031] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, and may. Furthermore, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features from different embodiments are within the scope of the invention and are meant to form different embodiments, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in the appended claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

[0032] In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration only, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0033] Preferred descriptions (features) and embodiments of the present invention are now presented below. Each description and embodiment of the present invention thus defined can be combined with any other description and / or embodiment, unless the contrary is clearly indicated. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous can be combined with any other feature or features or descriptions indicated as being preferred or advantageous. In this regard, the present invention is particularly encompassed by any combination of any one or more of the following numbered aspects and embodiments 1 to 76, together with any other description and / or embodiment.

[0034] 1. A Beta vulgaris plant, part of a plant, or population of plants that contains, expresses, or is capable of expressing a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein, or a polynucleic acid encoding a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein that includes an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D).

[0035] 2. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 1, optionally comprising a mutant endogenous allele encoding an ALS protein comprising an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D).

[0036] 3. A Beta vulgaris plant, part of a plant, or a plant population according to item 1 or 2, wherein said ALS protein has a sequence that is at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, for example at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO:3.

[0037] 4. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 3, which expresses or is capable of expressing said ALS protein.

[0038] 5. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein said ALS protein has ALS activity.

[0039] 6. A Beta vulgaris plant, part of a plant, or population of plants according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein said ALS protein comprises a glutamate (E) at position 371.

[0040] 7. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein said ALS protein has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.

[0041] 8. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein said ALS is heterozygous.

[0042] 9. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein said ALS is homozygous.

[0043] 10. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 9, which is resistant to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides.

[0044] 11. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 10, which is resistant to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides selected from (sulfon)amides, such as sulfonylureas, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, sulfonanilides, or triazolopyrimidines; imidazolinones; and pyrimidinyl(thio / oxy)benzoates, preferably selected from sulfonylureas, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, imidazolinones, and pyrimidinyl(thio / oxy)benzoates.

[0045] 12. The sulfonylurea as described above, Amidosulfuron [CAS RN 120923-37-7] (=A1-1); Azimsulfuron [CAS RN 120162-55-2] (=A1-2); Bensulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 83055-99-6] (=A1-3); Chlorimuron-ethyl [CAS RN 90982-32-4] (=A1-4); Chlorsulfuron [CAS RN 64902-72-3] (=A1-5); Cinosulfuron [CAS RN 94593-91-6] (=A1-6); Cyclosulfamuron [CAS RN 136849-15-5] (=A1-7); Ethamethsulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 97780-06-8] (=A1-8); Ethoxysulfuron [CAS RN 126801-58-9] (=A1-9); Flazasulfuron [CAS RN 104040-78-0] (=A1-10); Flucetosulfuron [CAS RN 412928-75-7] (=A1-11); Flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium [CAS RN 144740-54-5] (=A1-12); Foramsulfuron [CAS RN 173159-57-4] (=A1-13); Halosulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 100784-20-1] (=A1-14); Imazosulfuron [CAS RN 122548-33-8] (=A1-15); Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium [CAS RN 144550-36-7](=A1-16); Mesosulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 208465-21-8] (=A1-17); Metsulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 74223-64-6] (=A1-18); Monosulfuron [CAS RN 155860-63-2] (=A1-19); Nicosulfuron [CAS RN 111991-09-4] (=A1-20); Orthosulfamuron [CAS RN 213464-77-8] (=A1-21); Oxasulfuron [CAS RN 144651-06-9] (=A1-22); Primisulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 86209-51-0] (=A1-23); Prosulfuron [CAS RN 94125-34-5] (=A1-24); Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl [CAS RN 93697-74-6] (=A1-25); Rimsulfuron [CAS RN 122931-48-0] (=A1-26); Sulfometuron-methyl [CAS RN 74222-97-2] (=A1-27); Sulfosulfuron [CAS RN 141776-32-1] (=A1-28); Thifensulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 79277-27-3] (=A1-29); Triasulfuron [CAS RN 82097-50-5] (=A1-30); Tribenuron-methyl [CAS RN 101200-48-0] (=A1-31); Trifloxysulfuron [CAS RN 145099-21-4] (sodium) (=A1-32); Triflusulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 126535-15-7] (=A1-33); Tritosulfuron [CAS RN 142469-14-5] (=A1-34); NC-330[CAS RN 104770-29-8](=A1-35); NC-620[CAS RN 868680-84-6](=A1-36); TH-547[CAS RN 570415-88-2](=A1-37); Monosulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 175076-90-1] (=A1-38); 2-Iodo-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)carbamoyl]benzene-sulfonamide (=A1-39); Compounds of formula (I) [ka] [In the formula, M + represents each salt of compound (I), i.e. its lithium salt (=A1-40); its sodium salt (=A1-41); its potassium salt (=A1-42); its magnesium salt (=A1-43); its calcium salt (=A1-44); its ammonium salt (=A1-45); its methylammonium salt (=A1-46); its dimethylammonium salt (=A1-47); its tetramethylammonium salt (=A1-48); its ethylammonium salt (=A1-49); its diethylammonium salt (=A1-50); its tetraethylammonium salt (=A1-51); its propylammonium salt (=A1-52); its tetrapropylammonium salt (=A1-53); its isopropylammonium salt (=A1-54); its diisopropylammonium salt (=A1-55); its butylammonium salt (=A1-56); its tetrabutylammonium salt (=A1-57); its (2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium salt (=A1-58); its bis-N,N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium salt (=A1-59); its tris-N,N,N-(2-hydroxyethyl-1-yl)ammonium salt (=A1-59); its tris-N,N,N-(2-hydroxyethyl-1-yl)ammonium salt (=A1-60); its 1-phenylethylammonium salt (=A1-61); its 2-phenylethylammonium salt (=A1-62); its trimethylsulfonium salt (=A1-63); its trimethyloxonium salt (=A1-64); its pyridinium salt (=A1-65); its 2-methylpyridinium salt (=A1-66); its its 4-methylpyridinium salt (=A1-67); its 2,4-dimethylpyridinium salt (=A1-68); its 2,6-dimethylpyridinium salt (=A1-69); its piperidinium salt (=A1-70); its imidazolium salt (=A1-71); its morpholinium salt (=A1-72); its 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-7-enium salt (=A1-73); its 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-enium salt (=A1-74); A compound of formula (II) or a salt thereof [ka] [In the formula, R 2 , and R 3have the meanings defined in the table below. [Table 1] Compound of formula (III) (=A1-87), i.e., the sodium salt of compound (A1-83) [ka] and the compound of formula (IV) (=A1-88), i.e., the sodium salt of compound (A1-82). [ka] 12. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 11, selected from one or more of the following:

[0046] 13. The aforementioned sulfonylaminocarbonyl triazolinone, Flucarbazone-sodium [CAS RN 181274-17-9](=A2-1); Propoxycarbazone-sodium [CAS RN 181274-15-7] (=A2-2); and Thiencarbazone-methyl [CAS RN 317815-83-1] (=A2-3) 12. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 11, selected from one or more of the following:

[0047] 14. The aforementioned triazolopyrimidine, Cloransulam-methyl [147150-35-4] (=A3-1); Diclosulam [CAS RN 145701-21-9] (=A3-2); Florasulam [CAS RN 145701-23-1] (=A3-3); Flumetsulam [CAS RN 98967-40-9](=A3-4); Metosulam [CAS RN 139528-85-1] (=A3-5); Penoxsulam [CAS RN 219714-96-2] (=A3-6); Pyroxene [CAS RN 422556-08-9] (=A3-7) 12. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 11, selected from one or more of the following:

[0048] 15. The above-mentioned sulfonanilide is selected from the group consisting of: A compound from the group described by general formula (V) or a salt thereof [ka] [In the formula, R 1 is a halogen, preferably fluorine or chlorine, R 2 is hydrogen and R 3 is hydroxyl, or R 2 and R 3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbonyl group, C=O, R 4 is hydrogen or methyl]; More specifically, compounds having the following given chemical structures (A4-1) to (A4-8) [ka] [ka] [ka] 12. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 11, selected from one or more of the following:

[0049] 16. The imidazolinone as described above, Imazamethabenz-methyl [CAS RN 81405-85-8] (=B1-1); Imazamox [CAS RN 114311-32-9] (=B1-2); Imazapic [CAS RN 104098-48-8](=B1-3); Imazapyr [CAS RN 81334-34-1] (=B1-4); Imazaquin [CAS RN 81335-37-7] (=B1-5); Imazethapyr [CAS RN 81335-77-5] (=B1-6); SYP-298[CAS RN 557064-77-4](=B1-7); SYP-300[CAS RN 374718-10-2](=B1-8) 12. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 11, selected from one or more of the following:

[0050] 17. The pyrimidinyloxybenzoate as described above, wherein the pyrimidinyloxybenzoate is selected from the group consisting of: Bispyribac-sodium [CAS RN 125401-92-5](=C1-1); Pyribenzoxim [CAS RN 168088-61-7](=C1-2); Pyriminobac-methyl [CAS RN 136191-64-5](=C1-3); Pyribambenz-isopropyl [CAS RN 420138-41-6](=C1-4); Pyribambenz-propyl [CAS RN 420138-40-5](=C1-5) 12. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 11, selected from one or more of the following:

[0051] 18. The pyrimidinyl thiobenzoate as described above, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: Piriftalid [CAS RN 135186-78-6](=C2-1); Pyrithiobac-sodium [CAS RN 123343-16-8](=C2-2) 12. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 11, selected from one or more of the following:

[0052] 19. A part of a Beta vulgaris plant according to any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the part of the plant is a root beet, a seed, a cell, a tissue, or an organ.

[0053] 20. The following: at position 113, an amino acid other than alanine (A); at position 188, an amino acid different from proline (P); at position 196, an amino acid other than alanine (A); at position 372, an amino acid different from arginine (R); at position 569, an amino acid different from tryptophan (W); at position 648, an amino acid different from serine (S); At position 649, an amino acid other than glycine (G) 20. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 19, comprising a polynucleic acid encoding a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein comprising any one or more of the following:

[0054] 21. The following: at position 113, an amino acid other than alanine (A); at position 188, an amino acid different from proline (P); at position 196, an amino acid other than alanine (A); at position 372, an amino acid different from arginine (R); at position 569, an amino acid different from tryptophan (W); at position 648, an amino acid different from serine (S); At position 649, an amino acid other than glycine (G) 21. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population of any one of items 1 to 20, comprising a mutant endogenous allele encoding an ALS protein comprising any one or more of the following:

[0055] 22. A Beta vulgaris plant, part of a plant or a population of plants according to any one of items 1 to 20, wherein said ALS protein comprises at position 569 an alanine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, valine or arginine, preferably leucine.

[0056] 23. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 22, which has been transgenic, gene edited or mutagenized.

[0057] 24. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 23, wherein said Beta vulgaris plant or plant part is a sugar beet plant or plant part.

[0058] 25. An (isolated) polynucleic acid encoding a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein as defined in any of items 1 to 24.

[0059] 26. The (isolated) polynucleic acid according to item 25, which is an isolated polynucleic acid.

[0060] 27. A vector comprising a polynucleic acid according to item 25 or 26.

[0061] 28. The (isolated) polynucleic acid or vector according to any one of items 25 to 27, wherein said polynucleic acid comprises one or more regulatory sequences operably linked to a sequence encoding an ALS protein.

[0062] 29. A host cell comprising a polynucleic acid or a vector according to any one of items 25 to 28.

[0063] 30. The host cell according to item 29, which is a plant host cell, preferably a Beta vulgaris host cell.

[0064] 31. An (isolated) polynucleic acid which specifically hybridizes to a polynucleic acid according to any one of items 25 to 28, its complement, or its reverse complement.

[0065] 32. The (isolated) polynucleic acid according to item 31, having a length in the range of 10 to 200 nucleotides.

[0066] 33. The (isolated) polynucleic acid according to item 31 or 32, which is a primer or a probe.

[0067] 34. The (isolated) polynucleic acid according to any one of items 31 to 33, which is a KASP primer.

[0068] 35. The (isolated) polynucleic acid according to any one of items 31 to 34, comprising at least the 10 most 3 terminal nucleotides, preferably at least the 15 most 3 terminal nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 7, its complement, or its reverse complement.

[0069] 36. The (isolated) polynucleic acid according to any one of items 31 to 35, which comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 7, its complement, or its reverse complement.

[0070] 37. Use of a polynucleic acid according to any one of items 31 to 36 for identifying Beta vulgaris plants.

[0071] 38. Use of a polynucleic acid according to any one of items 31 to 36 for identifying a Beta vulgaris plant according to any one of items 1 to 24.

[0072] 39. Use of a polynucleic acid according to any one of items 31 to 36 for identifying Beta vulgaris plants which are resistant to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides.

[0073] 40. The use according to item 39, wherein the ALS inhibitor herbicide is one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides as defined in any of items 11 to 18.

[0074] 41. Use of a polynucleic acid, a vector or a host cell according to any one of items 25 to 30 for producing a Beta vulgaris plant.

[0075] 42. Use of a polynucleic acid, a vector or a host cell according to any one of items 25 to 30 for producing a Beta vulgaris plant according to any one of items 1 to 24.

[0076] 43. Use of a polynucleic acid, vector or host cell according to any one of items 25 to 30 for producing a Beta vulgaris plant which is resistant to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides.

[0077] 44. The use according to item 40, wherein the ALS inhibitor herbicide is one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides as defined in any of items 11 to 18.

[0078] 45. A method for identifying a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, comprising screening for the presence of an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D) in an ALS protein, or screening for the presence of a codon encoding an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D) in an ALS protein.

[0079] 46. ​​The method of item 45, further comprising selecting a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant comprising an ALS protein that comprises an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371 or a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein that comprises an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371.

[0080] 47. The method according to item 45 or 46, comprising screening for the presence of an ALS protein having a sequence which is at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, such as at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3, or screening for the presence of a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having a sequence which is at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, such as at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0081] 48. The method of any one of items 45 to 47, wherein the plant or part of the plant expresses or is capable of expressing the ALS protein.

[0082] 49. The method according to any one of items 45 to 48, wherein said ALS protein has ALS activity.

[0083] 50. The method according to any one of items 45 to 49, wherein said ALS protein comprises a glutamate (E) at position 371.

[0084] 51. The method according to any one of items 45 to 50, wherein the ALS protein has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.

[0085] 52. The method according to any one of items 45 to 51, wherein said ALS is heterozygous.

[0086] 53. The method of any one of items 45 to 51, wherein said ALS is homozygous.

[0087] 54. The method according to any one of items 45 to 53, wherein the plant or part of the plant is resistant to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides.

[0088] 55. The method according to any one of items 45 to 54, wherein said ALS inhibitor herbicide is one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides as defined in any of items 11 to 18.

[0089] 56. A method for producing a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, comprising mutating an endogenous ALS allele in the genome of the plant or part of the plant resulting in an ALS allele encoding an ALS protein containing an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371.

[0090] 57.Following steps: a) mutagenizing cells or tissues of Beta vulgaris with at least 0.5% EMS or at least 0.3% ENU; b) cultivating stecks ​​from the mutagenized cells or tissues (M0); c) replanting the cuttings and cultivating seed (M1) populations; d) cultivating seeds (M2) from plants grown from seeds of M1; e) sowing seeds of M2 and applying an ALS inhibitor herbicide; f) optionally repotting surviving plants and applying an ALS inhibitor herbicide to the growing plants; and g) selecting plants that survived the herbicide damage and / or that contain an ALS allele encoding an ALS protein that contains an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D) 56. The method of item 55, comprising:

[0091] 58. A method for producing a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, the method comprising introducing (and expressing) into the genome of the plant or part of a plant a polynucleic acid encoding a mutant endogenous ALS protein which contains an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371.

[0092] 59. The method according to item 58, wherein the polynucleic acid comprises one or more regulatory sequences operably linked to the sequence encoding the ALS protein.

[0093] 60. The method of items 58 or 59, wherein introducing into the genome comprises gene transfer, gene editing, or mutagenesis.

[0094] 61. A method according to any one of items 58 to 60, comprising transforming a plant or a part of a plant, preferably a plant cell, more preferably a protoplast, with a polynucleic acid or a vector according to any one of items 25 to 29, and optionally regenerating a plant from said plant cell, preferably a protoplast.

[0095] 62. The method of items 58 or 59, wherein introducing into the genome comprises gene transfer.

[0096] 63. A Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, or a descendant thereof, which is (directly) obtained by or is obtainable by a method according to any one of items 56 to 62.

[0097] 64. The part of a plant according to item 63, wherein the part of a plant is a root beet, a seed, a cell, a tissue, or an organ.

[0098] 65. A method for controlling undesirable vegetation in a Beta vulgaris growing area or for increasing yields in a Beta vulgaris growing area, comprising the steps of: a) planting a Beta vulgaris plant or sowing a Beta vulgaris seed according to any one of items 1 to 24; b) applying one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides to the growing plants, preferably at a dose sufficient to inhibit the growth of undesirable vegetation, and more preferably at a dose sufficient to kill the undesirable vegetation; and c) optionally repeating step b) during the growing season. A method comprising:

[0099] 66. The method according to item 65, wherein step b) is carried out before pollination of the undesirable vegetation, preferably at the pre-flowering stage or at the latest at the flowering stage.

[0100] 67. The method according to item 65 or 66, wherein the yield is a root beet yield.

[0101] 68. Use of one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides for controlling undesirable vegetation in a Beta vulgaris growing area, wherein the Beta vulgaris plants are as described in any of items 1 to 24.

[0102] 69. The method or use according to any one of items 65 to 68, wherein said undesirable vegetation is or comprises bolters, weed beets, or annual beets.

[0103] 70. The method or use according to any one of items 65 to 69, wherein said one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides are one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides as defined in any of items 11 to 18.

[0104] 71. A method for producing Beta vulgaris root beet, comprising the steps of: a) carrying out the method according to any one of items 65 to 67, 69 or 70; and b) harvesting the Beta vulgaris root beet, preferably by the end of the growing season. A method comprising:

[0105] 72. Use of a Beta vulgaris plant, plant part or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 24 in a method for sugar production, anaerobic digestion or fermentation.

[0106] 73. Use of a Beta vulgaris plant, plant part or plant population according to any one of items 1 to 24 in a method for biogas or biofuel production.

[0107] 74. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population, comprising: a) a polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; b) a polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; c) a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having the cDNA sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; d) a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population, including

[0108] 75. Below: a) a polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10; b) a polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11; c) a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having the cDNA sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11; d) a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12 75. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population according to item 74, comprising:

[0109] 76. An (isolated) polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:7.

[0110] In one aspect, the invention relates to a Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population that comprises, expresses, or is capable of expressing a polynucleic acid encoding a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein, or a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein that includes an amino acid at position 371 that is different from aspartic acid (D). In one embodiment, the Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population comprises a mutant endogenous allele that encodes an ALS protein that includes an amino acid at position 371 that is different from aspartic acid (D).

[0111] In one aspect, the invention relates to a Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population that comprises a mutant endogenous allele encoding an ALS protein that includes an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D).

[0112] Plants of the species Beta vulgaris are in particular the subspecies Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, including, for example, Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. altissima (sugar beet in the strict sense), Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. favescens (chard), Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. cicla (spinach beet), Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. conditiva (beetroot / red beet / garden beet), Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. crassa / alba (fodder beet). In a preferred embodiment, the Beta vulgaris referred to herein in accordance with the present invention is Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, more preferably Beta vulgaris subsp. var. altissima (i.e. sugar beet).

[0113] As used herein, ALS (acetolactate synthase; also known as AHAS (acetohydroxyacid synthase; EC 2.2.1.6; formerly EC 4.1.3.18)) is involved in the conversion of two pyruvate molecules to acetolactate and carbon dioxide. In this reaction, thiamine pyrophosphate is used to link two pyruvate molecules. The resulting product of this reaction, acetolactate, ultimately becomes valine, leucine and isoleucine (Singh (1999) "Biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine", in Plant Amino Acids, Singh, BK, ed., Marcel Dekker Inc. New York, New York, pp. 227-247). Inhibitors of ALS inhibit the biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine in plants. As a result, the respective amino acid pools are rapidly depleted, causing a cessation of protein biosynthesis and leading to the cessation of plant growth, which ultimately results in the death or at least damage of the plant.

[0114] In one embodiment, the wild-type Beta vulgaris ALS has an amino acid sequence as provided in SEQ ID NO:6. In one embodiment, the wild-type or native Beta vulgaris ALS has an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, and preferably has ALS activity, provided that the amino acid residue at position 371 is aspartic acid (D). It will be understood that aspartic acid as used herein may be used interchangeably with aspartate. In one embodiment, the wild-type Beta vulgaris ALS has an amino acid sequence as provided in NCBI reference sequence XP_010695365.1. In one embodiment, the wild type or native Beta vulgaris ALS has an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of NCBI reference sequence XP_010695365.1, and preferably has ALS activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 371 is aspartic acid (D).

[0115] In one embodiment, the mutant Beta vulgaris ALS according to the invention has an amino acid sequence as provided in SEQ ID NO: 3. In one embodiment, the mutant Beta vulgaris ALS has an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, preferably having ALS activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 371 is not aspartic acid (D). In one embodiment, the mutant Beta vulgaris ALS has an amino acid sequence as provided in NCBI reference sequence XP_010695365.1. In one embodiment the mutant Beta vulgaris ALS has an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of NCBI reference sequence XP_010695365.1, and preferably has ALS activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 371 is not aspartic acid (D).

[0116] In one embodiment, the wild type Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence as provided in SEQ ID NO: 6. In one embodiment, the wild type or native Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, preferably having ALS synthase activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 371 is aspartic acid (D). In one embodiment, the wild type Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence as provided in NCBI reference sequence XP_010695365.1. In one embodiment, the wild-type or native Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of NCBI reference sequence XP_010695365.1, and preferably has ALS synthase activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 371 is aspartic acid (D).

[0117] In one embodiment, the mutant Beta vulgaris ALS gene according to the invention has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence as provided in SEQ ID NO: 3. In one embodiment, the mutant Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, preferably having ALS synthase activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 371 is not aspartic acid (D). In one embodiment, the mutant Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence as provided in NCBI reference sequence XP_010695365.1. In one embodiment, the mutant Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of NCBI reference sequence XP_010695365.1, and preferably has ALS synthase activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 371 is not aspartic acid (D).

[0118] In one embodiment, the wild type Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a nucleotide sequence as provided in SEQ ID NO: 4. In one embodiment, the wild type or native Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a nucleotide sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, and preferably has ALS activity, with the proviso that the codon corresponding to amino acid residue 371 encodes aspartic acid (D).

[0119] In one embodiment, a mutant Beta vulgaris ALS gene according to the invention has a nucleotide sequence as provided in SEQ ID NO: 1. In one embodiment, a mutant Beta vulgaris ALS gene has a nucleotide sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and preferably has ALS activity, with the proviso that the codon corresponding to amino acid residue at position 371 does not encode aspartic acid (D).

[0120] In one embodiment, the wild type Beta vulgaris ALS coding sequence (cDNA) has a nucleotide sequence as provided in SEQ ID NO: 5. In one embodiment, the wild type Beta vulgaris ALS coding sequence has a nucleotide sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, and preferably has ALS activity, with the proviso that the codon corresponding to amino acid residue 371 encodes aspartic acid (D).

[0121] In one embodiment, a mutant Beta vulgaris ALS coding sequence (cDNA) according to the invention has a nucleotide sequence as provided in SEQ ID NO: 2. In one embodiment, a mutant Beta vulgaris ALS coding sequence has a nucleotide sequence having at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over its entire length, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and preferably has ALS activity, with the proviso that the codon corresponding to amino acid residue at position 371 does not encode aspartic acid (D).

[0122] Preferably, as used herein, when amino acid residue positions are referred to for ALS, the numbering corresponds to the amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO: 6. SEQ ID NO: 3 corresponds to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 having the D371E mutation.

[0123] As used in accordance with the present invention, the term "position" refers to either the position of an amino acid within an amino acid sequence as set forth herein or the position of a nucleotide within a nucleotide sequence as set forth herein. As used herein, the term "corresponding" also includes that the position is not solely determined by the number of the preceding nucleotide / amino acid.

[0124] The position of a given nucleotide that may be substituted according to the present invention may vary due to deletion or addition of nucleotides elsewhere in the ALS 5' untranslated region (UTR), including the promoter and / or any other regulatory sequences or genes (including exons and introns).Similarly, the position of a given amino acid that may be substituted according to the present invention may vary due to deletion or addition of amino acids elsewhere in the ALS polypeptide.

[0125] Therefore, under "corresponding positions" according to the present invention, it is also understood that the nucleotides / amino acids may differ in the indicated number, but may have similar adjacent nucleotides / amino acids. The aforementioned nucleotides / amino acids that may be exchanged, deleted or added are also included in the term "corresponding positions".

[0126] To determine whether a nucleotide or amino acid residue in a given ALS nucleotide / amino acid sequence corresponds to a position, such as the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 2, 4, or 5, or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 or 6, one of skill in the art can use means and methods well known in the art, such as alignment, either manually or by using a computer program, such as BLAST, which stands for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (Altschul et al. (1990), Journal of Molecular Biology, 215, 403-410), or ClustalW (Thompson et al. (1994), Nucleic Acid Res., 22, 4673-4680), or any other suitable program suitable for generating sequence alignments.

[0127] In view of the differences between the B. vulgaris wild-type ALS gene and the ALS gene contained in the B. vulgaris plants of the present invention, the ALS gene (or polynucleotide or nucleotide sequence) contained in the B. vulgaris plants of the present invention may also be considered a "mutant ALS gene," "mutant ALS allele," "mutant ALS polynucleotide," or the like. Thus, throughout this specification, the terms "mutant allele," "mutant ALS allele," "mutant ALS gene," or "mutant ALS polynucleotide" are used interchangeably.

[0128] On the other hand, unless otherwise indicated, the term "wild type allele", "wild type ALS allele", "wild type ALS gene" or "wild type ALS polynucleotide" refers to a nucleotide sequence encoding an ALS protein lacking the D371 substitution. Such a "wild type allele", "wild type ALS allele", "wild type ALS gene" or "wild type ALS polynucleotide" may or may not contain mutations other than the mutation that causes the D371 substitution. Also, naturally occurring polymorphisms in ALS (other than at position 371) can be considered to be included in the term "wild type".

[0129] As used herein, the term "ALS activity" refers to the enzymatic activity of ALS protein. In a preferred embodiment, the term "having ALS activity" in the context of variant ALS (e.g., ALS protein having a certain percentage sequence identity with the described SEQ ID NO) as described above refers to ALS whose enzymatic activity is unaffected or substantially unaffected compared to wild-type or native ALS (e.g., ALS having the sequence of the described SEQ ID NO). In an embodiment, the enzymatic activity is at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 90%, for example at least 95%, of wild-type ALS activity. Enzymatic activity can be measured by means known in the art, such as measuring the conversion of pyruvate to acetolactate.

[0130] In an embodiment, the Beta vulgaris plant according to the invention has an ALS enzyme activity that is unaffected or substantially unaffected (mutated) by one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides. In an embodiment, the Beta vulgaris plant according to the invention has an ALS enzyme activity that is at most 50% lower, preferably at most 40% lower, more preferably at most 30% lower, even more preferably at most 20% lower, most preferably at most 10% lower, for example at most 5% lower, in the presence of one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides compared to the absence of such herbicides. The enzyme activity can be measured by means known in the art. The enzyme activity is preferably measured in the presence of the ALS inhibitor herbicides at the relevant applicable herbicidal dose, for example a dose corresponding to a recommended field application.

[0131] In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e., mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises a similar amino acid at position 371. In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e., mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises a conservative substitution at position 371. In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e., mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises a non-analogous amino acid at position 371. In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e., mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises a non-conservative substitution at position 371. In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e., mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises a polar amino acid at position 371. In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e. the mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises an amino acid selected from glutamine-Gln-Q, asparagine-Asn-N, histidine-His-H, serine-Ser-S, threonine-Thr-T, tyrosine-Tyr-Y, cysteine-Cys-C at position 371. In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e. the mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises an acidic amino acid at position 371. In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e. the mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises an acidic polar amino acid at position 371. In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the invention, i.e. the mutant ALS having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at position 371, comprises glutamic acid (glutamate, E) at position 371. In one embodiment, a mutant ALS according to the invention, ie, a mutant ALS having an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid, comprises a non-polar amino acid at position 371.

[0132] As used herein, the term "capable of being expressed" means that the protein can be expressed in a plant or part of a plant. Therefore, it is necessary that the gene sequence of the protein or the coding sequence of the protein is present in the genome of the plant or part of a plant, preferably the plant or part of a plant. Also, appropriate regulatory sequences should be present to ensure transcription. Thus, the polynucleotide encoding ALS should be operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences, such as a promoter. However, it is not necessary (although it can be) that the transcription is ubiquitous (constitutive). Transcription may be cell-specific, tissue-specific, or organ-specific. Alternatively or additionally, transcription may be developmentally specific (i.e., the protein is expressed only at certain developmental stages). Alternatively or additionally, transcription may be conditional or inducible. Promoters suitable for each of these examples are known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the mutant ALS gene according to the present invention is located at its native (endogenous) location (locus) in the genome and is therefore under the control of its native (endogenous) promoter.

[0133] As used herein, the term "operatively linked" or "operably linked" means linked in a common nucleic acid molecule in such a manner that the linked elements are positioned and oriented relative to each other such that transcription of the nucleic acid molecule can occur. DNA that is operably linked to a promoter is under the transcriptional control of the promoter.

[0134] As used herein, unless specifically indicated otherwise, the term "plant" is intended to mean a plant at any stage of development.

[0135] The Beta vulgaris plant of the present invention is preferably euploid or allopolyploid. The euploid plant may preferably be haploid, diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid, octoploid, decaploid or dodecaploid, while the allopolyploid plant may preferably be triploid or pentaploid. In a preferred embodiment, the Beta vulgaris plant of the present invention is diploid.

[0136] The term "plant" according to the present invention includes whole plants or parts of such whole plants. The whole plants are preferably seed plants or crop plants. "Parts of plants" are, for example, shoot vegetative organs / structures, such as leaves, stems and tubers; roots, flowers and floral organs / structures, such as bracts, sepals, petals, stamens, carpels, anthers and ovules; seeds, including embryos, endosperms and seed coats; fruits and mature ovaries; plant tissues, such as vascular tissues, ground tissues, etc.; and cells, such as guard cells, egg cells, pollen, trichomes, etc.; and their progeny. The parts of plants may be attached to the whole intact plant or may be separated from it. Such parts of plants include, but are not limited to, plant organs, tissues and cells, preferably seeds. "Plant cells" are the structural and physiological units of plants, including protoplasts and cell walls. Plant cells may be in the form of isolated single cells or cultured cells, or may be part of a more highly organized unit, such as, for example, a plant tissue, a plant organ, or a whole plant. "Plant cell culture" refers to a culture of plant units, such as, for example, protoplasts, cell culture cells, cells in plant tissue, pollen, pollen tubes, ovules, embryo sacs, zygotes, and embryos at various developmental stages. "Plant material" refers to leaves, stems, roots, flowers or flower parts, fruits, pollen, egg cells, zygotes, seeds, cuttings, cell or tissue cultures, or any other part or product of a plant. It also includes callus or callus tissue, as well as extracts (such as extracts from taproots) or samples. "Plant organs" are distinct, visibly structured and differentiated parts of a plant, such as roots, stems, leaves, flower buds, or embryos. "Plant tissue" as used herein refers to a group of plant cells organized into a structural and functional unit. It includes any tissue of a planta or a plant in culture. The term includes, but is not limited to, whole plants, plant organs, plant seeds, tissue cultures, and any group of plant cells organized into a structural and / or functional unit.The use of this term in combination with or without any particular type of plant tissue, such as those listed above or otherwise encompassed by this definition, is not intended to exclude any other type of plant tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the plant part or plant organ referred to herein is a root beet (or rootbeet) or a seed. The term root beet (or rootbeet) refers to the taproot or hypocotyl, or a beet that has been transformed into a fleshy storage organ. In an embodiment, the plant part used herein is a protoplast.

[0137] As used herein, the term "plant population" can be used interchangeably with plant population.Plant population comprises a large number of individual plants, preferably at least 10, for example 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90, more preferably at least 100, for example 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 or 900, even more preferably at least 1000, for example at least 10000 or at least 100000.

[0138] The term "sequence" as used herein relates to nucleotide sequences, polynucleotides, nucleic acid sequences, nucleic acids, nucleic acid molecules, peptides, polypeptides and proteins, depending on the context in which the term "sequence" is used.

[0139] The terms "nucleotide sequence", "polynucleotide", "nucleic acid sequence", "nucleic acid", "nucleic acid molecule" are used interchangeably herein and refer to nucleotides of any length in polymeric unbranched form, either ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides or a combination of both. Nucleic acid sequences can include DNA, cDNA, genomic DNA, RNA, synthetic forms and mixed polymers, both sense and antisense strands, or contain non-natural or derivatized nucleotide bases, as will be readily understood by those of skill in the art.

[0140] As used herein, the term "polypeptide" or "protein" (both terms are used interchangeably herein) refers to a peptide, protein, or polypeptide encompassing a chain of amino acids of a given length, in which the amino acid residues are linked by covalent peptide bonds. However, peptidomimetics of such proteins / polypeptides, in which amino acids and / or peptide bonds are replaced by functional analogs, as well as other than the 20 genetically encoded amino acids, such as selenocysteine, are also encompassed by the present invention. Peptides, oligopeptides, and proteins may be referred to as polypeptides. The term polypeptide also refers to and does not exclude modifications of the polypeptide, such as glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and the like. Such modifications are well described in basic texts and more detailed monographs, as well as in the research literature.

[0141] Amino acid substitutions encompass amino acid modifications in which an amino acid is replaced with a different naturally occurring amino acid residue. Such substitutions can be classified as "conservative" where an amino acid residue present in the wild-type protein is replaced with another naturally occurring amino acid of similar properties, e.g., Gly<>Ala, Val<>lle<>Leu, Asp<>Glu, Lys<>Arg, Asn<>Gln, or Phe<>Trp<>Tyr. Substitutions encompassed by the present invention can also be "non-conservative", where an amino acid residue present in the wild-type protein is replaced with an amino acid having different properties, such as a naturally occurring amino acid from a different group (e.g., replacing a charged or hydrophobic amino acid with alanine). "Similar amino acid", as used herein, refers to an amino acid with similar amino acid side chains, i.e., an amino acid with a polar, non-polar, or substantially neutral side chain. "Non-similar amino acid", as used herein, refers to an amino acid with a different amino acid side chain, e.g., an amino acid with a polar side chain is not similar to an amino acid with a non-polar side chain. Polar side chains usually tend to be found on the surface of proteins, where they can interact with the aqueous environment found within cells ("hydrophilic" amino acids). "Nonpolar" amino acids, on the other hand, tend to be found within the center of proteins, where they can interact with similar nonpolar neighbors ("hydrophobic" amino acids). Examples of amino acids with polar side chains include arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamate, histidine, lysine, serine, and threonine (all hydrophilic except for cysteine, which is hydrophobic). Examples of amino acids with nonpolar side chains include alanine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, and tryptophan (all hydrophobic except for glycine, which is neutral).

[0142] As used herein, the term "gene" refers to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides. The term includes double-stranded and single-stranded DNA and RNA. It also includes known types of modifications, such as methylation, "capping," and replacement of one or more analogs of naturally occurring nucleotides. Preferably, a gene includes a coding sequence that encodes a polypeptide as defined herein. A "coding sequence" is a nucleotide sequence that is transcribed into mRNA and / or translated into a polypeptide when placed under the control of, or under the control of, appropriate regulatory sequences. The boundaries of the coding sequence are determined by a translation start codon at the 5'-terminus and a translation stop codon at the 3'-terminus. A coding sequence can include, but is not limited to, mRNA, cDNA, recombinant nucleic acid sequences, or genomic DNA, and introns can also be present under some circumstances.

[0143] As used herein, the term "endogenous" refers to a gene or allele that exists in its natural genomic location. The term "endogenous" may be used interchangeably with "native". However, this does not exclude the presence of one or more nucleic acid differences from the wild-type allele. In certain embodiments, the difference from the wild-type allele may be limited to less than 9 nucleotides, preferably less than 6 nucleotides, more particularly less than 3 nucleotides. More particularly, the difference from the wild-type sequence may be only 1 nucleotide. Preferably, the endogenous allele encodes a modified protein that has less than 9 amino acid differences from the wild-type protein, preferably less than 6 nucleotides, more particularly less than 3 nucleotides, and even more preferably only 1 amino acid difference.

[0144] As used herein, the term "homozygous" refers to an individual cell or plant that has the same allele at one or more or all loci. When the term is used in relation to a particular locus or gene, it means that at least that locus or gene has the same allele. As used herein, the term "homozygous" refers to a genetic condition that exists when identical alleles are at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes. As used herein, the term "heterozygous" refers to an individual cell or plant that has different alleles at one or more or all loci. When the term is used in relation to a particular locus or gene, it means that at least that locus or gene has different alleles. As used herein, the term "heterozygous" refers to a genetic condition that exists when different alleles are at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes.

[0145] As used herein, "allele" refers to the various alternative forms of genetic units related to different forms of a gene or any type of identifiable genetic element, which are alternative in inheritance because they are located at the same locus on homologous chromosomes. In a diploid cell or organism, the two alleles of a given gene (or marker) usually occupy corresponding loci on a pair of homologous chromosomes.

[0146] The term "locus" (plural of loci) refers to a specific location or locations or sites on a chromosome at which a QTL, gene or genetic marker is found, such as, for example, the (mutated) ALS coding sequence of the present invention.

[0147] As used herein, the term "sequence identity" refers to the degree of identity between any given nucleic acid sequence and a target nucleic acid sequence. Percent sequence identity is calculated by determining the number of matched positions in the aligned nucleic acid sequences, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of aligned nucleotides, and multiplying by 100. Matched positions refer to positions where identical nucleotides exist at the same positions in the aligned nucleic acid sequences. Percent sequence identity can also be determined for any amino acid sequence. To determine percent sequence identity, the target nucleic acid or amino acid sequence is compared to the identified nucleic acid or amino acid sequence using the BLAST2 sequence (Bl2seq) program from the stand-alone version of BLASTZ, which includes BLASTN and BLASTP. This stand-alone version of BLASTZ is available from the Fish & Richardson website (World Wide Web at fr.com / blast) or the U.S. government's National Center for Biotechnology Information website (World Wide Web at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Instructions explaining how to use the Bl2seq program can be found in the readme file that accompanies BLASTZ. BI2seq performs a comparison between two sequences using either the BLASTN or BLASTP algorithm.

[0148] BLASTN is used to compare nucleic acid sequences, while BLASTP is used to compare amino acid sequences. To compare two nucleic acid sequences, set the options as follows: -i to the file containing the first nucleic acid sequence to be compared (e.g., C:\seql.txt), -j to the file containing the second nucleic acid sequence to be compared (e.g., C:\seq2.txt), -p to blastn, -o to any desired file name (e.g., C:\output.txt), -q to -1, -r to 2, and leave all other options at their default settings. The following command will generate an output file containing a comparison of the two sequences: C:\B12seq-i c:\seql.txt-j c:\seq2.txt -p blastn -oc:\output.txt -q -1 -r 2. If the target sequence has homology to any portion of the identified sequence, the specified output file will present those regions of homology as aligned sequences. If the target sequence does not have homology with any portion of the identified sequence, the specified output file will not present an aligned sequence. Once aligned, the length is determined by counting the number of consecutive nucleotides from the target sequence that are presented aligned with sequences from the identified sequence starting at any matched position and ending at any other matched position. A matched position is any position where an identical nucleotide is presented in both the target sequence and the identified sequence. Gaps presented in the target sequence are not counted, since gaps are not nucleotides. Similarly, gaps presented in the identified sequence are not counted, since nucleotides in the target sequence are counted, not nucleotides in the identified sequence. The percent identity over a particular length is determined by counting the number of matched positions over that length, dividing that number by the length, and multiplying the resulting value by 100.For example, if (i) a 500 base nucleic acid target sequence is compared to a subject nucleic acid sequence, (ii) the Bl2seq program presents 200 bases from the target sequence aligned with a region of the subject sequence, where the first and last bases of the 200 base region match, and (iii) the number of matches across the aligned 200 bases is 180, then the 500 base nucleic acid target sequence contains a length of 200 and the sequence identity across that length is 90% (i.e., 180 / 200×100=90). It will be understood that different regions within a single nucleic acid target sequence that align with an identified sequence may each have their own percent identity. Note that the percent identity value is rounded to two decimal places. For example, 78.11, 78.12, 78.13, and 78.14 will round down to 78.1, and 78.15, 78.16, 78.17, 78.18, and 78.19 will round up to 78.2. Also note that length values ​​are always integers.

[0149] By "isolated nucleic acid" is understood a nucleic acid that has been isolated from its natural or original environment. This term also includes synthetically produced nucleic acids. Thus, "isolated nucleic acid sequence" or "isolated DNA" refers to a nucleic acid sequence that is no longer present in the natural environment from which it was isolated, for example, a nucleic acid sequence in a bacterial host cell or a nucleic acid sequence in a plant nuclear or plastid genome. When referring to a "sequence" herein, a molecule having such a sequence is understood to refer to, for example, a nucleic acid molecule. "Host cell" or "recombinant host cell" or "transformed cell" is a term that refers to a new individual cell (or organism) resulting from the introduction of at least one nucleic acid molecule into said cell. The host cell is preferably a plant cell or a bacterial cell. The host cell may contain the nucleic acid as an extrachromosomal (episomal) replicating molecule, or may contain the nucleic acid integrated into the nuclear or plastid genome of the host cell, or may contain the nucleic acid as an introduced chromosome, for example a minichromosome.

[0150] When referring to a nucleic acid sequence (e.g., DNA or genomic DNA) that has "substantial sequence identity" with a reference sequence or has a sequence identity of at least 80%>, for example at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%> or 99%> nucleic acid sequence identity with a reference sequence, in one embodiment, the aforementioned nucleic acid sequence is considered to be substantially identical to a given nucleic acid sequence and can be identified using stringent hybridization conditions. In another embodiment, a nucleic acid sequence contains one or more mutations compared to a given nucleotide sequence, but can still be identified using stringent hybridization conditions. "Stringent hybridization conditions" can be used to identify nucleotide sequences that are substantially identical to a given nucleotide sequence. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will vary in different circumstances. In general, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5°C lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) of the particular sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. Tm is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. Typically, stringent conditions are selected with a salt concentration of about 0.02 molar at pH 7 and a temperature of at least 60°C. Lowering the salt concentration and / or increasing the temperature increases stringency. Stringent conditions for RNA-DNA hybridization (e.g., Northern blot using a 100nt probe) include, for example, 0.2×SSC at 63°C for 20 minutes, at least one wash, or equivalent conditions. Stringent conditions for DNA-DNA hybridization (e.g., Southern blot using a 100nt probe) include, for example, 0.2×SSC at a temperature of at least 50°C, usually about 55°C, for 20 minutes, at least one wash (usually two), or equivalent conditions. See also Sambrook et al. (1989) and Sambrook and Russell (2001).

[0151] The term "hybridize" or "hybridization" refers to the process by which a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule attaches itself to a complementary nucleic acid strand, i.e., conforms to this base pairing. Standard procedures for hybridization are described, for example, in Sambrook et al. (Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 3rd edition 2001). Preferably, this will be understood to mean that at least 50%, more preferably at least 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% or 85%, more preferably 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the bases of the nucleic acid strand form base pairs with a complementary nucleic acid strand. The possibility of such binding depends on the stringency of the hybridization conditions. The term "stringency" refers to the hybridization conditions. High stringency is when base pairing is more difficult, and low stringency is when base pairing is favored. The stringency of hybridization conditions depends, for example, on salt concentration or ionic strength and temperature. In general, stringency can be increased by increasing temperature and / or decreasing salt concentration. "Stringent hybridization conditions" are defined as conditions under which hybridization occurs mainly only between homologous nucleic acid molecules. The term "hybridization conditions" refers not only to the actual binding of nucleic acids under general conditions, but also to the general conditions of the subsequent washing steps. Stringent hybridization conditions are, for example, conditions under which mainly only nucleic acid molecules with at least 70%, preferably at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% sequence identity hybridize. Less stringent hybridization conditions include hybridization in 4×SSC at 37° C., followed by repeated washing in 1×SSC at room temperature.Stringent hybridization conditions include hybridization in 4×SSC at 65° C., followed by repeated washes in 0.1×SSC at 65° C. for a total of about 1 hour. In certain embodiments, a polynucleotide that hybridizes to certain other polynucleotides is said to hybridize under stringent hybridization conditions.

[0152] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a Beta vulgaris plant or plant part that is tolerant to one or more ALS inhibitors, particularly to a high enough dose of the ALS inhibitor to provide optimal herbicidal activity. In one embodiment, the Beta vulgaris plant described herein is tolerant to one or more ALS inhibitors at a dose recommended for herbicidal activity. Preferably, the aforementioned dose is a single application dose. It will be understood that if multiple applications are required during a growing season, the Beta vulgaris plant according to the present invention is preferably tolerant to the aforementioned multiple applications. Preferably, the ALS inhibitor-tolerant Beta vulgaris plant according to the present invention does not have defects in terms of other important agronomic characteristics such as growth, yield, quality, pathogen resistance, physiological function, etc.

[0153] As used herein, "resistant," "resistance," "tolerance," or "tolerant" means that application of one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides, such as those described elsewhere herein, when applied to the respective Beta vulgaris plants, particularly sugar beets containing an ALS polypeptide containing a mutation at position 371, does not show any apparent effects on physiological function / cytotoxicity, whereas application of the same amount of the respective ALS inhibitor herbicide to non-tolerant Beta vulgaris plants results in significant adverse effects on plant growth, its physiological function, or shows phytotoxicity symptoms. The quality and quantity of the observed effects may depend on the chemical composition of the applied ALS inhibitor herbicide, the application rate and timing of application, and the growth conditions / stage of the treated plants.

[0154] As used herein, the terms "increased resistance" and "increased resistance" refer to any reduction, reduction in presentation, improvement, or combination thereof, of any symptoms (such as damage or biomass loss) due to application of an ALS inhibitor herbicide. Also, the increased resistance or resistance referred to herein may refer to, for example, the ability of a plant to maintain its biomass production (such as harvestable biomass production, such as seed yield) upon or after application of an ALS inhibitor herbicide. ALS inhibitor herbicide-resistant or tolerant plant, plant cell, or plant part, as used herein, may refer to a plant, plant cell, or plant part that has increased resistance / tolerance to an ALS inhibitor herbicide (and does not have an ALS protein with an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid) compared to the parent plant from which it is derived, respectively. Resistance or tolerance, as used herein, may refer to its ability to reduce the impact of one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides on the fitness, yield, biomass (production), etc. of the plant. Methods for determining herbicide resistance / tolerance, such as visual scoring of herbicide-induced damage, determining biomass (yield), etc., are known to those skilled in the art.

[0155] ALS inhibitor resistance can be determined by visual damage ratings on plant vigor and plant chlorosis based on a scale of 0 (dead plant) to 9 (totally unaffected plant), e.g., a rating obtained for individual plants 2 weeks after glyphosate application. A rating of 0 to 3 is characteristic of a susceptible plant. A rating of 3 to 7 indicates a low to intermediate level of resistance, and a rating of 8 or 9 indicates a good level of resistance. In particular, the ratings have the following meanings: 9. Unaffected plants are identical to untreated controls; 8. Very little necrosis at the leaf tips, less than 5% of the leaf area is affected and yellowing; 7. Very little necrosis at the leaf tips and beginning to curl; less than 5% of the leaf area is affected and yellowing; 6, 5, 4. Increased necrosis and leaf curling; leaves become smaller than normal; 3, 2. No or very limited leaf growth; all leaves curl and affected by necrosis; 1. No plant growth; up to 5% of the plant remains green; 0. Dead plant. In certain preferred embodiments, the Beta vulgaris plant according to the present invention has a rating of at least 3, preferably at least 7, more preferably at least 8, and even more preferably at least 9.

[0156] In an embodiment, a Beta vulgaris plant according to the present invention is less sensitive to an ALS inhibitor herbicide than a corresponding wild-type Beta vulgaris plant. In an embodiment, a Beta vulgaris plant according to the present invention is at least 10 times less sensitive, such as 100 times less sensitive, more preferably 500 times, even more preferably 1000 times, and most preferably less than 2000 times. As used herein, the terms "increased resistance" and "increased resistance" may be used interchangeably with "reduced sensitivity" or "reduced susceptibility". Thus, a plant, plant part, or plant population according to the present invention that is more tolerant or more resistant to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides is considered to be less sensitive to such herbicides. As used herein, less sensitive or less susceptible may be considered to be "more tolerant" or "more resistant". Similarly, "more tolerant" or "more resistant" can be viewed as the opposite, "less sensitive" or "less susceptible." As used herein, "more sensitive" or "more susceptible" can be viewed as the opposite, "less tolerant" or "less resistant." Similarly, "less tolerant" or "less resistant" can be viewed as the opposite, "more sensitive" or "more susceptible."

[0157] In general, the B. vulgaris plant and its part of the present invention are preferably agronomically usable. "Agronomically usable" means that the B. vulgaris plant and its part are useful for agricultural purposes. For example, the B. vulgaris plant should be useful for the purpose of sugar production, biofuel production (e.g., biogas, biobutanol), ethanol production, betaine and / or uridine production. The term "agronomically usable" as used herein also includes that the B. vulgaris plant of the present invention is preferably less sensitive to ALS inhibitor herbicides, more preferably at least 100 times less sensitive, more preferably 500 times, even more preferably 1000 times, and most preferably less than 2000 times less sensitive. The ALS inhibitor herbicide is one or more as described herein, preferably it is either foramsulfuron alone or in combination with one or more further ALS inhibitor herbicides from the subclass of sulfonylurea herbicides or any other subclass of ALS inhibitor herbicides, most preferably it is a combination of foramsulfuron with a further sulfonylurea herbicide and / or an ALS inhibitor from the subclass of sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone herbicides.

[0158] Preferably, the agronomically usable B. vulgaris plants of the invention, most preferably sugar beet plants, are fully fertile, more preferably have wild-type fertility, with fertility being of utmost importance for the agronomic usability of the B. vulgaris plants of the invention.

[0159] An example of an agronomically exploitable B. vulgaris plant is sugar beet. The sugar beet plant of the present invention should preferably be useful for the production of at least 4 tons of sugar when cultivated on an area of ​​1 hectare (approximately 80,000-90,000 sugar beets). Alternatively, the sugar beet plant of the present invention should preferably contain a sugar content of 15-20%, preferably at least 17%, to be agriculturally exploitable. Thus, a sugar beet plant containing a sugar content of 15-20%, preferably at least 17%, is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0160] Herbicidal compounds belonging to the class of ALS inhibitors that may be used in certain embodiments of the present invention include (a) sulfonylurea herbicides (Beyer EM et al. (1988), Sulfonylureas in Herbicides: Chemistry, Degradation, and Mode of Action; Marcel Dekker, New York, 1988, 117-189), (b) sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone herbicides (Pontzen, R., Pflanz.- Nachrichten Bayer, 2002, 55, 37-52), (c) imidazolinone herbicides (Shaner, DL, et al., Plant Physiol., 1984, 76, 545-546; Shaner, DL, and O'Connor, SL (Eds.) The Imidazolinone Herbicides, CRC Press, Boca Rato, FL, 1991), (d) triazolopyrimidine herbicides (Kleschick, WA et al., Agric. FoodChem, 1992, 40, 1083-1085), and (e) pyrimidinyl (oxy / thio)benzoate herbicides (Shimizu, TJ, Pestic. Sci.,1997, 22, 245-256; Shimizu, T. et al., Acetolactate Synthase Inhibitors in Herbicide Classes in Development, Boger, P., Wakabayashi. K., Hirai, K., (Eds.), Springer Verlag, Berlin, 2002, 1-41).

[0161] In some embodiments, the ALS inhibitor is selected from sulfonylureas, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, triazolopyrimidines, sulfonanilides, imidazolinones, pyrimidinyloxybenzoic acid, pyrimidinylthiobenzoic acid.Additional ALS inhibitors that can be used in some aspects of the present invention are described in, for example, WO 2014 / 090760, WO 2012 / 049268, WO 2012 / 049266, EP 2627183, and WO 2014 / 091021, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0162] In certain embodiments, the ALS inhibitor is selected from the ALS inhibitors listed in claims 2-4 of WO 2012 / 049266, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0163] Compounds from the group of the (sulfon)amides are already known as herbicidally active compounds for controlling undesirable vegetation; for example, see EP 239414, U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,244, DE 3,303,388, U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,085, U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,434, U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,671, EP 206,251, EP 205,271, U.S. Pat. No. 2,556,664, U.S. Pat. No. 3,534,098, EP 53,011, U.S. Pat. No. 0,227,316, and EP 206,251, U.S. Pat. No. 0,227,316. No. 4,385,927, European Patent No. 348,737, West German Patent Application Publication No. 2,822,155, U.S. Patent No. 3,894,078, British Patent Application Publication No. 869,169, European Patent No. 447,004, West German Patent No. 1,039,779, Hungarian Patent No. 176,582, U.S. Patent No. 3,442,945, West German Patent No. 2,305,495, West German Patent No. 2,648,008, West German Patent No. 2,328,340, West German Patent No. 1,014,380, Hungarian Patent No. 53,483 , U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,907, British Patent Application Publication No. 1,040,541, U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,478, U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,061, U.S. Pat. No. 2,695,225, West German Patent No. 1,567,151, British Patent Application Publication No. 574,995, West German Patent No. 1,031,571, U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,897, Japanese Patent No. 1,098,331, U.S. Pat. No. 2,913,327, International Publication No. 8,300,329, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 127,302, West German Patent No. 1,300,947, West German Patent No. 2135768, U.S. Pat. No. 3175887, U.S. Pat. No. 3836524, JP-A-60-067463, U.S. Pat. No. 3582314, U.S. Pat. No. 53330821, European Patent No. 131258, U.S. Pat. No. 4746353, U.S. Pat. No. 4420325, U.S. Pat. No. 4394506, U.S. Pat. No. 4127405, U.S. Pat. No. 4479821, U.S. Pat. No. 5009699, European Patent No. 136061, European Patent No. 324569,EP 184385, WO 2002030921, WO 09215576, WO 09529899, ​​U.S. Pat. No. 4668277, EP 305939, WO 09641537, WO 09510507, EP 7677, CN 1080116, U.S. Pat. No. 4789393, EP 971 See US Pat. No. 902, US Pat. No. 5,209,771, EP Pat. No. 84020, EP Pat. No. 120814, EP Pat. No. 87780, WO 08804297, EP Pat. No. 5,828,924, WO 2002036595, US Pat. No. 5,476,936, WO 2009 / 053058 and the references cited in the above-mentioned publications.

[0164] Compounds from the group of imidazolinones are already known as herbicidally active compounds for controlling undesirable vegetation; see, for example, Proc. South. Weed Sci. Soc. 1992. 45, 341; Proc. South. Weed Sci. Soc. Annu. Mtg. 36th, 1983, 29; Weed Sci. Soc. Annu. Mtg. 36th, 1983, 90-91; Weed Sci. Soc. Mtg., 1984, 18; Modern Agrochemicals, 2004, 14-15.

[0165] Compounds from the group of the pyrimidinyl(thio)benzoates are already known as herbicidally active compounds for controlling undesirable vegetation; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,285, EP 658,549, U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,339, WO 91 / 05781, U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,999 and EP 315,889.

[0166] Compounds from the group of the sulfonamides are already known as herbicidally active compounds for controlling unwanted plants; see, for example, WO 93 / 09099, WO 2006 / 008159 and WO 2005 / 096818.

[0167] All publications and patents cited in this disclosure are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0168] In certain embodiments, suitable mutant ALS that confer resistance to ALS inhibitors are as described in EP 2931902 and WO 2012 / 049268, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0169] In one embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide used herein is selected from (sulfon)amides, such as sulfonylureas, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, sulfonanilides, or triazolopyrimidines; imidazolinones; and pyrimidinyl(thio / oxy)benzoates, preferably selected from sulfonylureas, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, imidazolinones, and pyrimidinyl(thio / oxy)benzoates.These classes of ALS inhibitor herbicides can be classified into group A (with subgroups A1, A2, A3 and A4), B (B1), and C (with subgroups C1 and C2).

[0170] In certain embodiments, the ALS inhibitor herbicide used herein is selected from the group consisting of: Amidosulfuron [CAS RN 120923-37-7] (=A1-1); Azimsulfuron [CAS RN 120162-55-2] (=A1-2); Bensulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 83055-99-6] (=A1-3); Chlorimuron-ethyl [CAS RN 90982-32-4] (=A1-4); Chlorsulfuron [CAS RN 64902-72-3] (=A1-5); Cinosulfuron [CAS RN 94593-91-6] (=A1-6); Cyclosulfamuron [CAS RN 136849-15-5] (=A1-7); Ethamethsulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 97780-06-8] (=A1-8); Ethoxysulfuron [CAS RN 126801-58-9] (=A1-9); Flazasulfuron [CAS RN 104040-78-0] (=A1-10); Flucetosulfuron [CAS RN 412928-75-7] (=A1-11); Flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium [CAS RN 144740-54-5] (=A1-12); Foramsulfuron [CAS RN 173159-57-4] (=A1-13); Halosulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 100784-20-1] (=A1-14); Imazosulfuron [CAS RN 122548-33-8] (=A1-15); Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium [CAS RN 144550-36-7](=A1-16); Mesosulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 208465-21-8] (=A1-17); Metsulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 74223-64-6] (=A1-18); Monosulfuron [CAS RN 155860-63-2] (=A1-19); Nicosulfuron [CAS RN 111991-09-4] (=A1-20); Orthosulfamuron [CAS RN 213464-77-8] (=A1-21); Oxasulfuron [CAS RN 144651-06-9] (=A1-22); Primisulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 86209-51-0] (=A1-23); Prosulfuron [CAS RN 94125-34-5] (=A1-24); Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl [CAS RN 93697-74-6] (=A1-25); Rimsulfuron [CAS RN 122931-48-0] (=A1-26); Sulfometuron-methyl [CAS RN 74222-97-2] (=A1-27); Sulfosulfuron [CAS RN 141776-32-1] (=A1-28); Thifensulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 79277-27-3] (=A1-29); Triasulfuron [CAS RN 82097-50-5] (=A1-30); Tribenuron-methyl [CAS RN 101200-48-0] (=A1-31); Trifloxysulfuron [CAS RN 145099-21-4] (sodium) (=A1-32); Triflusulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 126535-15-7] (=A1-33); Tritosulfuron [CAS RN 142469-14-5] (=A1-34); NC-330[CAS RN 104770-29-8](=A1-35); NC-620[CAS RN 868680-84-6](=A1-36); TH-547[CAS RN 570415-88-2](=A1-37); Monosulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 175076-90-1] (=A1-38); 2-Iodo-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)carbamoyl]benzene-sulfonamide (=A1-39); Compounds of formula (I) [ka] [In the formula, M + represents each salt of compound (I), i.e. its lithium salt (=A1-40); its sodium salt (=A1-41); its potassium salt (=A1-42); its magnesium salt (=A1-43); its calcium salt (=A1-44); its ammonium salt (=A1-45); its methylammonium salt (=A1-46); its dimethylammonium salt (=A1-47); its tetramethylammonium salt (=A1-48); its ethylammonium salt (=A1-49); its diethylammonium salt (=A1-50); its tetraethylammonium salt (=A1-51); its propylammonium salt (=A1-52); its tetrapropylammonium salt (=A1-53); its isopropylammonium salt (=A1-54); its diisopropylammonium salt (=A1-55); its butylammonium salt (=A1-56); its tetrabutylammonium salt (=A1-57); its (2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium salt (=A1-58); its bis-N,N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium salt (=A1-59); its tris-N,N,N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium salt (=A1-59); its tris-N,N,N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium salt (=A1-60); its 1-phenylethylammonium salt (=A1-61); its 2-phenylethylammonium salt (=A1-62); its trimethylsulfonium salt (=A1-63); its trimethyloxonium salt (=A1-64); its pyridinium salt (=A1-65); its 2-methylpyridinium salt (=A1-66); its its 4-methylpyridinium salt (=A1-67); its 2,4-dimethylpyridinium salt (=A1-68); its 2,6-dimethylpyridinium salt (=A1-69); its piperidinium salt (=A1-70); its imidazolium salt (=A1-71); its morpholinium salt (=A1-72); its 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-7-enium salt (=A1-73); its 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-enium salt (=A1-74); A compound of formula (II) or a salt thereof [ka] [In the formula, R 2 , and R 3have the meanings defined in the table below. [Table 2] Compound of formula (III) (=A1-87), i.e., the sodium salt of compound (A1-83) [ka] and the compound of formula (IV) (=A1-88), i.e., the sodium salt of compound (A1-82). [ka] The sulfonylurea is selected from one or more of:

[0171] In one embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide used herein is Flucarbazone-sodium [CAS RN 181274-17-9](=A2-1); Propoxycarbazone-sodium [CAS RN 181274-15-7] (=A2-2); and Thiencarbazone-methyl [CAS RN 317815-83-1] (=A2-3) The sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone is selected from one or more of:

[0172] In one embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide used herein is Cloransulam-methyl [147150-35-4] (=A3-1); Diclosulam [CAS RN 145701-21-9] (=A3-2); Florasulam [CAS RN 145701-23-1] (=A3-3); Flumetsulam [CAS RN 98967-40-9](=A3-4); Metosulam [CAS RN 139528-85-1] (=A3-5); Penoxsulam [CAS RN 219714-96-2] (=A3-6); Pyroxene [CAS RN 422556-08-9] (=A3-7) The triazolopyrimidine is selected from one or more of:

[0173] In one embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide used herein is A compound from the group described by general formula (V) or a salt thereof [ka] [In the formula, R 1 is a halogen, preferably fluorine or chlorine, R 2 is hydrogen and R 3 is hydroxyl, or R 2 and R 3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbonyl group, C=O, R 4 is hydrogen or methyl]; More specifically, compounds having the following given chemical structures (A4-1) to (A4-8) [ka] [ka] The sulfonanilide is selected from one or more of:

[0174] In one embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide used herein is Imazamethabenz-methyl [CAS RN 81405-85-8] (=B1-1); Imazamox [CAS RN 114311-32-9] (=B1-2); Imazapic [CAS RN 104098-48-8](=B1-3); Imazapyr [CAS RN 81334-34-1] (=B1-4); Imazaquin [CAS RN 81335-37-7] (=B1-5); Imazethapyr [CAS RN 81335-77-5] (=B1-6); SYP-298[CAS RN 557064-77-4](=B1-7); SYP-300[CAS RN 374718-10-2](=B1-8) The imidazolinone is selected from one or more of:

[0175] In one embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide used herein is Bispyribac-sodium [CAS RN 125401-92-5](=C1-1); Pyribenzoxim [CAS RN 168088-61-7](=C1-2); Pyriminobac-methyl [CAS RN 136191-64-5](=C1-3); Pyribambenz-isopropyl [CAS RN 420138-41-6](=C1-4); Pyribambenz-propyl [CAS RN 420138-40-5](=C1-5) The pyrimidinyloxybenzoate is selected from one or more of:

[0176] In one embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide used herein is Piriftalid [CAS RN 135186-78-6](=C2-1); Pyrithiobac-sodium [CAS RN 123343-16-8](=C2-2) The pyrimidinyl thiobenzoate is selected from one or more of:

[0177] The "CAS RN" in square brackets following the names (common names) listed in Groups A to C corresponds to the "Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number", a conventional reference number which allows for the unambiguous classification of a specified substance, since, among other things, this "CAS RN" distinguishes between isomers, including stereoisomers.

[0178] The term "ALS inhibitor herbicide" or simply "ALS inhibitor" is used interchangeably. As used herein, "ALS inhibitor herbicide" or "ALS inhibitor" is not meant to be limited to a single herbicide that prevents the activity of ALS enzyme. Thus, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context, "ALS inhibitor herbicide" or "ALS inhibitor" can be a herbicide known in the art, or a mixture of two, three, four or more herbicides, each of which preferably prevents the activity of ALS enzyme as defined herein.

[0179] Preferably, the ALS inhibitor herbicides according to the invention belonging to group (A) are: Amidosulfuron [CAS RN 120923-37-7] (=A1-1); Chlorimuron-ethyl [CAS RN 90982-32-4] (=A1-4); Ethamethsulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 97780-06-8] (=A1-8); Ethoxysulfuron [CAS RN 126801-58-9] (=A1-9); Flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium [CAS RN 144740-54-5] (=A1-12); Foramsulfuron [CAS RN 173159-57-4] (=A1-13); Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium [CAS RN 144550-36-7](=A1-16); Mesosulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 208465-21-8] (=A1-17); Metsulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 74223-64-6] (=A1-18); Monosulfuron [CAS RN 155860-63-2] (=A1-19); Nicosulfuron [CAS RN 111991-09-4] (=A1-20); Sulfosulfuron [CAS RN 141776-32-1] (=A1-28); Thifensulfuron-methyl [CAS RN 79277-27-3] (=A1-29); Tribenuron methyl [CAS RN 101200-48-0] (=A1-31); 2-Iodo-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)carbamoyl]benzene-sulfonamide (=A1-39); 2-Iodo-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)carbamoyl]benzene-sulfonamide sodium salt (=A1-41); (A1-83) or its sodium salt (=A1-87); Propoxycarbazone-sodium [CAS RN 181274-15-7] (=A2-2); Thiencarbazone-methyl [CAS RN 317815-83-1] (=A2-3); Florasulam [CAS RN 145701-23-1] (=A3-3); Metosulam [CAS RN 139528-85-1] (=A3-5); Pyroxene [CAS RN 422556-08-9] (=A3-7) (A4-1); (A4-2); and (A4-3).

[0180] ALS inhibitor herbicides which are particularly preferably used according to the invention and belong to group (A) are: Amidosulfuron [CAS RN 120923-37-7] (=A1-1); Foramsulfuron [CAS RN 173159-57-4] (=A1-13); Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium [CAS RN 144550-36-7](=A1-16); 2-Iodo-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)carbamoyl]benzene-sulfonamide (=A1-39); 2-Iodo-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)carbamoyl]benzene-sulfonamide sodium salt (=A1-41); A1-83 or its sodium salt (=A1-87); Thiencarbazone-methyl [CAS RN 317815-83-1] (=A2-3).

[0181] Another ALS inhibitor herbicide preferably used according to the invention belonging to group (B) is imazamox [CAS RN 114311-32-9] (=B1-2).

[0182] Another ALS inhibitor herbicide preferably used according to the invention belonging to group (C) is Bispyribac-sodium [CAS RN 125401-92-5] (=C1-1).

[0183] It is further understood that for all ALS inhibitor herbicides defined above, all use forms, such as acids and salts, may be applied according to the present invention, if not already specified by the respective CAS RN.

[0184] Furthermore, the ALS inhibitor herbicides used according to the invention may comprise or be used together with further components, such as pesticidal active compounds of different types of action and / or formulation auxiliaries and / or additives customarily used in crop protection, such as agriculturally acceptable carriers.

[0185] In a preferred embodiment, the herbicide combination used according to the invention comprises an effective amount of ALS inhibitor herbicides belonging to group (A), (B) and / or (C) and / or has a synergistic effect. This synergistic effect can be observed, for example, when one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides belonging to group (A), (B) and / or (C) are applied together, for example as a coformulation or tank mix, but they can also be observed when the active compounds are applied at different times (split). It is also possible to apply the herbicide or herbicide combination in several separate applications (sequential application), for example, a pre-emergence application followed by a post-emergence application, or an early post-emergence application followed by a mid- or late post-emergence application. Here, it is preferred to apply the ALS inhibitor herbicides belonging to group (A), (B) and / or (C) of the combination jointly or almost simultaneously. Synergistic effects may allow for reduced application rates of individual ALS inhibitor herbicides, greater effectiveness at the same application rates, control of species not yet controlled (gaps), control of species resistant or tolerant to individual ALS inhibitor herbicides or to multiple ALS inhibitor herbicides, extended application periods and / or reduced number of individual applications required, resulting in a weed control system that is more economically and ecologically advantageous for the user.

[0186] The herbicides used according to the present invention are all acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor herbicides (which may alternatively and interchangeably be called "ALS inhibitor herbicides") and therefore inhibit protein biosynthesis in plants. The application rates of ALS inhibitor herbicides belonging to group (A), (B) or (C) (as defined above) can vary within a wide range, for example from 0.001 g to 1500 g ai / ha (ai / ha hereafter means based on "active substance per hectare" = 100% pure active compound). When applied at application rates of 0.001 g to 1500 g ai / ha, the herbicides belonging to classes A, B and C according to the invention, preferably compounds A1-1; A1-4; A1-8; A1-9; A1-12; A1-13; A1-16; A1-17; A1-18; A1-19; A1-20; A1-28; A1-29; A1-31; A1-39; A1-41; A1-83; A1-87; A2-2; A2-3; A3-3; A3-5; A3-7, A4-3, when used by pre- and post-emergence methods, control a relatively wide range of harmful plants, such as annual and perennial monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous weeds, and also undesirable crop plants (jointly also defined as "undesirable vegetation"), including, for example, weed beets, or annual beets, or bolting.

[0187] In many applications according to the invention, application rates are generally low, for example in the range of 0.001 g to 1000 g ai / ha, preferably 0.1 g to 500 g ai / ha, particularly preferably 0.5 g to 250 g ai / ha, and even more preferably 1.0 g to 200 g ai / ha. When multiple applications of ALS inhibitor herbicides are made, the amount represents the total amount of all ALS inhibitor herbicides applied.

[0188] For example, the combination according to the invention of ALS inhibitor herbicides (belonging to groups (A), (B) and / or (C)) can synergistically enhance activity that far exceeds, and in an unexpected way exceeds, the activity that can be achieved using the individual ALS inhibitor herbicides (belonging to groups (A), (B) and / or (C)).

[0189] Preferred conditions for the combination of an ALS inhibitor and herbicide are exemplified below.

[0190] Of particular interest according to the invention is the use of herbicidal compositions having the following contents of ALS inhibitor herbicides: [ka] [ka] [ka]

[0191] Furthermore, the ALS inhibitor herbicides used according to the invention can contain or be used in combination with further components, such as pesticidal active compounds of different types of action and / or formulation auxiliaries and / or additives customarily used in crop protection.

[0192] The ALS inhibitor herbicides or various combinations of such ALS inhibitor herbicides used according to the invention may further comprise various agrochemically active compounds, for example from the groups of the safeners, fungicides, insecticides or from the group of formulation auxiliaries and additives customarily used in crop protection.

[0193] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of effective amounts of ALS inhibitor herbicides (i.e., members of groups (A), (B) and / or (C)) and non-ALS inhibitor herbicides (i.e., herbicides that exhibit a mode of action different from the inhibition of the ALS enzyme [acetohydroxyacid synthase; EC 2.2.1.6] (Group D herbicides)) to obtain a synergistic effect for controlling undesirable vegetation. Such synergistic effects can be observed, for example, when one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides (i.e., members of groups (A), (B) and / or (C)) and one or more non-ALS inhibitor herbicides (Group D herbicides) are applied together, for example, as a coformulation or tank mix, however, they can also be observed when the active compounds are applied at different times (split). It is also possible to apply the ALS inhibitor herbicides and the non-ALS inhibitor herbicides in multiple separate applications (sequential application). For example, a preemergence application followed by a postemergence application, or an early postemergence application followed by a mid or late postemergence application, where it is preferred that the herbicides of the combination ((A), (B) and / or (C)) and (D) are applied simultaneously or at about the same time.

[0194] Suitable partner herbicides to be applied together with the ALS inhibitor herbicides are, for example, the following herbicides which are structurally different from the herbicides belonging to groups (A), (B) and (C) as defined above, preferably herbicidally active compounds whose action is based, for example, on the inhibition of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, PS I, PS II, HPPDO, phytoene desaturase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, glutamine synthase, cellulose biosynthesis, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthetase, as described, for example, in Weed Research 26, 441-445 (1986), or in “The Pesticide Manual”, 14th edition, The British Crop Protection Council, 2007, or in the 15th edition 2010, or in the corresponding “e-Pesticide Manual”, Version 5 (2010), in each case published by the British Crop Protection Council (hereinafter also referred to as “PM”), and in the documents cited therein. A list of common names is also available on the Internet at “The Compendium of Pesticide Common Names”. Herbicides known from the literature (hereinafter, in brackets after the common name, they are also classified by the indicators D1 to D426), which can be combined with ALS inhibitor herbicides of groups (A), (B) and / or (C), and the active compounds used according to the invention are, for example, the active compounds listed below: (Note: Herbicides are referred to either by their “common name” or by their chemical name according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). If necessary, the customary code numbers are also given and in each case, unless the context indicates otherwise, all use forms, in particular commercial forms, such as acids, salts, esters and isomers, such as stereoisomers and optical isomers, are included. The citation given is for one use form and, in some cases, for two or more use forms): Acetochlor (=D1), acibenzolar (=D2), acibenzolar-S-methyl (=D3), acifluorfen (=D4), acifluorfen-sodium (=D5), aclonifen (=D6), alachlor (=D7), allidochlor (=D8), alloxydim (=D9), alloxydim-sodium (=D10), ametryn (=D11), amicarbazone (=D12), amidochlor (=D13), aminocyclopyrachlor (=D14), aminopyralid (=D15), amitrole (=D16), ammonium sulfamate ( =D17), Ancymidol (=D18), Anilofos (=D19), Asuram (=D20), Atrazine (=D21), Azafenidine (=D22), Aziprothrin (=D23), Beflubutamid (=D24), Benazolin (=D25), Benazolin-ethyl (=D26), Bencarbazone (=D27), Benfluralin (=D28), Benfuresate (=D29), Benzulide (=D30), Bentazon (=D31), Benzphendizone (=D32), Benzobicyclon (=D33), Benzofenap (=D34), Benzofluor (=D35) , benzoylprop (=D36), bicyclopyrone (=D37), bifenox (=D38), bilanaphos (=D39), bilanaphos-sodium (=D40), bromacil (=D41), bromobutide (=D42), bromofenoxime (=D43), bromoxynil (=D44), bromulon (=D45), buminafos (=D46), busoxynone (=D47), butachlor (=D48), butafenacil (=D49), butamifos (=D50), butenachlor (=D51), butralin (=D52), butroxydim (=D53), butyryl (=D54), cafenstrole (=D55), carbetamide (=D56), carfentrazone (=D57), carfentrazone-ethyl (=D58), chlormethoxyfen (=D59), chloramben (=D60), chloradifop (=D61), chloradifop-butyl (=D62), chlorbromuron (=D63), chlorbufam (=D64), chlorfenac (=D65), chlorfenac-sodium (=D66), chlorfenprop (=D67), chlorflurenol (=D68), chlorflurenol-methyl (=D69),Chloridazone (=D70), chlormequat-chloride (=D71), chlornitrofen (=D72), chlorophthalim (=D73), chlorthal-dimethyl (=D74), chlorotoluron (=D75), cinidon (=D76), cinidon-ethyl (=D77), cinmethylin (=D78), clethodim (=D79), clodinafop (=D80), clodinafop-propargyl (=D81), clofencet (=D82), clomazone (=D83), clomeprop (=D84), cloprop (=D85), clopyralid (=D86), clopyralid (=D87), clopyralid (=D88), clopyralid (=D89), clopyralid (=D90), clopyralid (=D91), clopyralid (=D92), clopyralid (=D93), clopyralid (=D94), clopyralid (=D95), clopyralid (=D96), clopyralid (=D97), clopyralid (=D98), clopyralid (=D9 ... Loransulam (=D87), cloransulam-methyl (=D88), cumyluron (=D89), cyanamide (=D90), cyanazine (=D91), cyclanilide (=D92), cycloate (=D93), cycloxydim (=D94), cyclouron (=D95), cyhalofop (=D96), cyhalofop-butyl (=D97), cyperquat (=D98), cyprazine (=D99), cyprazole (=D100), 2,4-D (=D101), 2,4-DB (=D102), daimuron / dymron (=D103) ), dalapon (=D104), daminozide (=D105), dazomet (=D106), n-decanol (=D-107), desmedipham (=D108), desmetrin (=D109), detosyl-pyrazolate (=D110), diallate (=D111), dicamba (=D112), dichlobenil (=D113), dichlorprop (=D114), dichlorprop-P (=D115), diclofop (=D116), diclofop-methyl (=D117), diclofop-P-methyl (=D118), diethathyl (=D119), diethathyl- Ethyl (=D120), Difenoxuron (=D121), Difenzoquat (=D122), Diflufenican (=D123), Diflufenzopyr (=D124), Diflufenzopyr-sodium (=D125), Dimefuron (=D126), Dikeglac-sodium (=D127), Dimefuron (=D128), Dimepiperate (=D129), Dimethachlor (=D130), Dimethamethrin (=D131), Dimethenamid (=D132), Dimethenamid-P (=D133), Dimethipine (=D134), Dimetrasulfuron (=D135),Dinitramine (=D136), dinoseb (=D137), dinoterb (=D138), diphenamide (=D139), dipropetrine (=D140), diquat (=D141), diquat-dibromide (=D142), dithiopyr (=D143), diuron (=D144), DNOC (=D145), eglinadine-ethyl (=D146), endothal (=D147), EPTC (=D148), esprocarb (=D149), etaflurarin (=D150), ethephon (=D151), etidimuron (=D152), etizin (=D153) , Ethofumesate (=D154), Ethoxyphene (=D155), Ethoxyphene-ethyl (=D156), Ethobenzanide (=D157), F-5331 (=2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[4-(3-fluoropropyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]-phenyl]-ethanesulfonamide) (=D158), F-7967 (=3-[7-chloro-5-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-4-yl]-1-methyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine-2,4(1 H,3H)-dione) (=D159), fenoprop (=D160), fenoxaprop (=D161), fenoxaprop-P (=D162), fenoxaprop-ethyl (=D163), fenoxaprop-P-ethyl (=D164), fenoxasulfone (=D165), fentrazamide (=D166), fenuron (=D167), flamprop (=D168), flamprop-M-isopropyl (=D169), flamprop-M-methyl (=D170), fluazifop (=D171), fluazifop-P (=D172), 72), fluazifop-butyl (=D173), fluazifop-p-butyl (=D174), fluazolate (=D175), fluchloralin (=D176), flufenacet (thiafluramide) (=D177), flufenpyr (=D178), flufenpyr-ethyl (=D179), flumetralin (=D180), flumiclorac (=D181), flumiclorac-pentyl (=D182), flumioxazin (=D183), flumipropin (=D184), fluometuron (=D185), fluorodifen (=D186),Fluoroglycofen (=D187), Fluoroglycofen-ethyl (=D188), Flupoxam (=D189), Flupropacil (=D190), Flupropanate (=D191), Flurenol (=D192), Flurenol-butyl (=D193), Fluridone (=D194), Flurochloridone (=D195), Fluroxypyr (=D196), Fluroxypyr-meptyl (=D197), Fluprimidol (=D198), Flurtamone (=D199), Fluthiacet (=D200), Fluthiacet-methyl (=D201), Fluthiamide (=D202), Fomesafen (=203), Forchlorfenuron (=D204), Fosamine (=D205), Furyloxyfen (=D206), Gibberellic acid (=D207), Glufosinate (=D208), Glufosinate-ammonium (=D209), Glufosinate-P (=D210), Glufosinate-P-ammonium (=D211), Glufosinate-P-sodium (=D212), Glyphosate (=D213), Glyphosate-iso Propylammonium (=D214), H-9201 (=O-(2,4-dimethyl-6-nitrophenyl)-O-ethyl-isopropylphosphoramidothioate) (=D215), halosaphen (=D216), haloxyfop (=D217), haloxyfop-P (=D218), haloxyfop-ethoxyethyl (=D219), haloxyfop-P-ethoxyethyl (=D220), haloxyfop-methyl (=D221), haloxyfop-P-methyl (=D222), hexazinone (=D223), HW-02 (=1-(dimethoxyphosphoryl) (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-ethyl acetate) (=D224), inabenfide (=D225), indanofan (=D226), indaziflam (=D227), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (=D228), 4-indol-3-ylbutyric acid (IBA) (=D229), ioxynil (=D230), ipfencarbazone (=D231), isocarbamide (=D232), isoproparin (=D233), isoproturon (=D234), isouron (=D235), isoxaben (=D236), isoxachlorthor (=D237), 237), isoxaflutole (=D238), isoxapirifop (=D239), KUH-043 (=3-({[5-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methyl}sulfonyl)-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole) (=D240), carbutyrate (=D241), ketospiradox (=D242), lactofen (=D243), lenacil (=D244), linuron (=D245), maleic hydrazide (=D246), MCPA (=D247),MCPB (=D248), MCPB-methyl, -ethyl and -sodium (=D249), mecoprop (=D250), mecoprop-sodium (=D251), mecoprop-butotyl (=D252), mecoprop-p-butotyl (=D253), mecoprop-p-dimethylammonium (=D254), mecoprop-p-2-ethylhexyl (=D255), mecoprop-p-potassium (=D256), mefenacet (=D257), mefluidide (=D258), mepiquat chloride (=D259), mesotrione (=D260) , methabenzthiazuron (=D261), metam (=D262), metamifop (=D263), metamitron (=D264), metazachlor (=D265), methazole (=D266), methiopyrsulfuron (=D267), methiozoline (=D268), methoxyphenone (=D269), methyldimuron (=D270), 1-methylcyclopropene (=D271), methylisothiocyanate (=D272), methobenzthiazuron (=D273), metobromuron (=D274), metolachlor (=D275), S-metolachlor (=D-276) ), Metoxuron (=D277), Metribuzin (=D278), Molinate (=D279), Monalide (=D280), Monocarbamide (=D281), Monocarbamide dihydrogen sulfate (=D282), Monolinuron (=D283), Monosulfuron ester (=D284), Monuron (=D285), MT-128 (=6-chloro-N-[(2E)-3-chloroprop-2-en-1-yl]-5-methyl-N-phenylpyridazin-3-amine) (=D286), MT-5950 (=N-[3-chloro-4-(1-methylethyl)-phenyl] -2-methylpentanamide) (=D287), NGGC-011 (=D288), naproanilide (=D289), napropamide (=D290), naphthalam (=D291), NC-310 (=4-(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl)-1-methyl-5-benzyloxypyrazole) (=D292), nebulon (=D293), nipiraclofen (=D294), nitralin (=D295), nitrofen (=D296), nitrophenolate-sodium (mixture of isomers) (=D297), nitrofluorfen (=D298), nonanoic acid (=D299),Norflurazon (=D300), Orbencarb (=D301), Oryzalin (=D302), Oxadiargyl (=D303), Oxadiazon (=D304), Oxaziclomefone (=D305), Oxyfluorfen (=D306), Paclobutrazol (=D307), Paraquat (=D308), Paraquat-dichloride (=D309), Pelargonic acid (nonanoic acid) (=D310), Pendimethalin (=D311), Pendoralin (=D312), Pentanochlor (=D313), Pentoxazone (=D314), Perfluidone (= D315), petoxamide (=D317), phenisopham (=D318), phenmedipham (=D319), phenmedipham-ethyl (=D320), picloram (=D321), picolinafen (=D322), pinoxaden (=D323), piperophos (=D324), pyrifenop (=D325), pyrifenop-butyl (=D326), pretilachlor (=D327), probenazole (=D328), profluazole (=D329), procyazin (=D330), prodiamine (=D331), prifluralin (=D332) ), profoxydim (=D333), prohexadione (=D334), prohexadione-calcium (=D335), prohydrojasmone (=D336), prometon (=D337), prometryne (=D338), propachlor (=D339), propanil (=D340), propaquizafop (=D341), propazine (=D342), propham (=D343), propisochlor (=D344), propyzamide (=D345), prosulfarin (=D346), prosulfocarb (=D347), prinachlor (=D348), pi Laclonil (=D349), pyraflufen (=D350), pyraflufen-ethyl (=D351), pyrasulfotole (=D352), pyrazolinate (pyrazolate) (=D353), pyrazoxyfen (=D354), pyribambenz (=D355), pyributicarb (=D356), pyridafol (=D357), pyridate (=D358), pyriminobac (=D359), pyrimisulfan (=D360), pyroxasulfone (=D361), quinclorac (=D362), quinmerac (=D363), quinoclamine (=D364),Quizalofop (=D365), Quizalofop-ethyl (=D366), Quizalofop-P (=D367), Quizalofop-P-ethyl (=D368), Quizalofop-P-tefuryl (=D369), Saflufenacil (=D370), Secbumetone (=D371), Sethoxydim (=D372), Siduron (=D373), Simazine (=D374), Simetryne (=D375), SN-106279 (=Methyl-(2R)-2-({7-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-naphthyl}oxy)-propanoate) (=D37 6), sulcotrione (=D377), sulfarate (CDEC) (=D378), sulfentrazone (=D379), sulfosate (glyphosate-trimesium) (=D380), SYN-523 (=D381), SYP-249 (=1-ethoxy-3-methyl-1-oxobut-3-en-2-yl-5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate) (=D382), tebutam (=D383), tebuthiuron (=D384), tecnazene (=D385), tefuryltrione (=D386), tembotrio (=D387), tepraloxydim (=D388), terbacil (=D389), terbucarb (=D390), terbuchlor (=D391), terbumeton (=D392), terbuthylazine (=D393), terbutryn (=D394), thenylchlor (=D395), thiafluramide (=D396), thiazaflurone (=D397), thiazopyr (=D398), thidiazimine (=D399), thidiazuron (=D400), thiobencarb (=D401), thiocarbazil (=D402), topramezone (=D403), tralkoxydim ( =D404), triallate (=D405), triaziflam (=D406), triazofenamide (=D407), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (=D408), triclopyr (=D409), tridiphane (=D410), trietadine (=D411), trifluralin (=D412), trimeturon (=D413), trinexapac (=D414), trinexapac-ethyl (=D415), tsitodef (=D416), uniconazole (=D417), uniconazole-P (=D418), vernolate (=D419),ZJ-0862 (=3,4-dichloro-N-{2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxy]benzyl}aniline) (=D420), and the following compounds, each defined by their chemical structure; [ka]

[0195] Preferably, the further herbicides which are structurally different from the ALS inhibitor herbicides belonging to groups (A), (B) and (C) as defined above and which are applied according to the invention belong to the following groups: chloridazon (=D70), clethodim (=D79), clodinafop (=D80), clodinafop-propargyl (=D81), clopyralid (=D86), cycloxydim (=D94), desmedipham (=D108), dimethenathazon (=D109), methenathazon (=D200), methenathazon (=D210), methenathazon (=D220), methenathazon (=D230), methenathazon (=D240), methenathazon (=D250), methenathazon (=D260), methenathazon (=D270), methenathazon (=D280), methenathazon (=D290), methenathazon (=D300), methenathazon (=D310), methenathazon (=D320), methenathazon (=D330), methenathazon (=D340), methenathazon (=D350), methenathazon (=D360), methenathazon (=D370), methenathazon (=D380), methenathazon (=D390), methenathazon (=D400), methenathazon (=D400), methenathazon (=D410), methenathazon (=D420), methenathazon (=D430), methenathazon (=D440), methenathazon (=D450), methenathazon (=D460), meth dimethenamid (=D132), dimethenamid-P (=D133), ethofumesate (=D154), fenoxaprop (=D161), fenoxaprop-P (=D162), fenoxaprop-ethyl (=D163), fenoxaprop-P-ethyl (=D164), fluazifop (=D171), fluazifop-P (=D172), fluazifop-butyl (=D173), fluazifop-P-butyl (=D174), glufosinate (=D208), glufosinate-an monium (=D209), glufosinate-P (=D210), glufosinate-P-ammonium (=D211), glufosinate-P-sodium (=D212), glyphosate (=D213), glyphosate-isopropylammonium (=D214), haloxyfop (=D217), haloxyfop-P (=D218), haloxyfop-ethoxyethyl (=D219), haloxyfop-P-ethoxyethyl (=D220), haloxyfop-methyl (=D221), Haloxyfop-P-methyl (=D222), Lenacil (=D244), Metamitron (=D264), Phenmedipham (=D319), Phenmedipham-ethyl (=D320), Propaquizafop (=D341), Quimmerac (=D363), Quizalofop (=D365), Quizalofop-ethyl (=D366), Quizalofop-P (=D367), Quizalofop-P-ethyl (=D368), Quizalofop-P-tefuryl (=D369), Sethoxydim (=D372).

[0196] Even more preferably, the further herbicides which are different from the ALS inhibitor herbicides belonging to groups (A), (B) and (C) as defined above and which are applied according to the invention in conjunction with the ALS inhibitor herbicides belonging to groups (A), (B) and (C) are those belonging to the following groups: desmedipham (=D108), ethofumesate (=D154), glufosinate (=D208), glufosinate-ammonium (=D209), glufosinate-P (=D210), glufosinate-P-ammonium (=D211), glufosinate-P-sodium (=D212), glyphosate (=D213), glyphosate-isopropylammonium (=D214), lenacil (=D244), metamitron (=D264), phenmedipham (=D319), phenmedipham-ethyl (=D320).

[0197] Mixtures comprising ALS inhibitor herbicides and non-ALS inhibitor herbicides, compositions comprising mixtures of one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides (compounds belonging to one or more of groups (A), (B) and (C)) and non-ALS inhibitor herbicides (members of group (D); as defined above) which are of great interest for use according to the present invention are as follows: [ka] [ka]

[0198] In some embodiments, the non-ALS inhibitor herbicide may be applied in combination with the ALS inhibitor herbicide. In some embodiments, the application of each herbicide is (i) jointly or simultaneously, or (ii) at different times and / or in multiple portions (sequential application), such as a pre-emergence application followed by a post-emergence application, or an early post-emergence application followed by a mid- or late post-emergence application. In some embodiments, the herbicide is chloridazon, clethodim, clodinafop, clodinafop-propargyl, clopyralid, cycloxydim, desmedipham, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, ethofumesate, fenoxaprop, fenoxaprop-P, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fluazifop, fluazifop-P, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, glufosinate, glufosinate-ammonium, glufosinate-P, glufosinate-butyl ... Selected from glufosinate-P-ammonium, glufosinate-P-sodium, haloxyfop, haloxyfop-P, haloxyfop-ethoxyethyl, haloxyfop-P-ethoxyethyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-P-methyl, lenacil, metamitron, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, propaquizafop, quinmerac, quizalofop, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-P, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, sethoxydim.

[0199] The application of ALS inhibitor herbicides also acts efficiently on perennial weeds that sprout from rhizomes, root stocks and other perennial organs and are difficult to control. Here, the substances can be applied, for example, jointly or separately, by pre-sowing, pre-emergence or post-emergence methods. In particular, application by post-emergence methods is preferred for emerged harmful plants.

[0200] Without being limited to a particular species, some representative examples of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed species that can be controlled by ALS inhibitor herbicides can be mentioned.

[0201] Examples of weed species on which the application according to the invention can be used effectively are Avena spp., Alopecurus spp., Apera spp., Brachiaria spp., Bromus spp., Digitaria spp., Lolium spp., Echinochloa spp., Panicum spp., Phalaris spp., Poa spp., Setaria spp., and others, from among monocotyledonous weed species. spp.), and also from the annual group Cyperus species, among the perennial species Agropyron species, Cynodon species, Imperata species and Sorghum species, and also perennial sedge species.

[0202] In the case of dicotyledonous weeds, the spectrum of action is, for example, Abutilon spp., Amaranthus spp., Chenopodium spp., Chrysanthemum spp., Galium spp., Ipomoea spp., Kochia spp., Lamium spp., Matricaria spp., Pharbitis spp., Polygonum spp., Sida spp., Sinapis spp., Solanum spp., Stellaria spp., Veronica spp., spp.), and Viola spp., Xanthium spp., and in the case of annual weeds, genera such as Convolvulus, Cirsium, Rumex and Artemisia.

[0203] The herbicides described herein can also be used, for example, to control weedy beets (or annual beets). Cultivated Beta vulgaris is a biennial plant that forms a rosette of storage roots and leaves in the first year. Shoot elongation (bolting) and flower formation begin after a period of low temperature, but many wild beets of the genus B. vulgaris ssp. maritima exhibit an annual growth habit due to the presence of the bolting gene B at the B locus. The bolting gene (B gene) is involved in determining the annual habit in sugar beet. Annuality in Beta species is considered to be a monofactorial and dominant trait. Plants carrying the dominant B allele can switch from the juvenile to the reproductive stage independent of vernalization, in contrast to biennial plants carrying the b allele, which require vernalization for bolting and subsequent flowering. Dominant alleles at the B locus are abundant in wild beets and cause bolting under long days without the chilling requirement that is usually essential for biennial cultivars carrying the recessive allele. As used herein, "B gene" refers to the gene involved in determining annual habit (early bolting) in Beta vulgaris, such as sugar beet. Plants carrying the dominant B allele are able to switch from the juvenile to the reproductive stage independent of vernalization, i.e., shoot elongation and subsequent flowering can occur without prior exposure to low temperatures.

[0204] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling undesirable vegetation, such as in a Beta vulgaris growing area, or for maintaining or increasing the yield of a Beta vulgaris growing area, comprising the steps of: a) planting a Beta vulgaris plant or sowing a Beta vulgaris seed according to the invention, comprising an ALS protein as described elsewhere herein, in particular having an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid; b) applying one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides to the growing plants, preferably in an amount sufficient to inhibit the growth of undesirable vegetation, and more preferably in an amount sufficient to kill the undesirable vegetation; and c) optionally repeating step b) during the growing season. The present invention relates to a method comprising the steps of:

[0205] In a related aspect, the invention relates to the use of one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides for controlling undesirable vegetation in, for example, a Beta vulgaris growing area, or for maintaining or increasing yield in, a Beta vulgaris growing area, wherein the Beta vulgaris plant is according to the invention as described elsewhere herein, and in particular comprises an ALS protein having an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid.

[0206] It is particularly preferred that the yield of beetroot (or root beet) is maintained or increased.

[0207] In an embodiment, the method for controlling undesirable vegetation includes a method for controlling bolters, weed beets, or annual beets as described herein, and may relate to a method for controlling undesirable vegetation such as bolters, weed beets, or annual beets in Beta vulgaris growing areas, preferably in Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris growing areas, particularly in Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. altissima growing areas. In an embodiment, the method for controlling undesirable vegetation such as bolters, weed beets, or annual beets as described herein relates to a method for controlling undesirable vegetation such as bolters, weed beets, or annual beets in biennial Beta vulgaris growing areas, preferably in biennial Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris growing areas, particularly in biennial Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. altissima growing areas.

[0208] In one embodiment, the use described herein relates to use in Beta vulgaris growing areas, preferably in Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris growing areas, in particular in Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. altissima growing areas. In one embodiment, the use described herein relates to use in biennial Beta vulgaris growing areas, preferably in biennial Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris growing areas, in particular in biennial Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. altissima growing areas.

[0209] "Biennial" or "biannual" Beta vulgaris refers to Beta vulgaris plants that take two years to complete their biological life cycle. "Annual" Beta vulgaris refers to Beta vulgaris plants that germinate, flower, and die within one year. "Annual Beta vulgaris" refers to Beta vulgaris plants that contain a dominant allele B at the B locus in either a heterozygous or homozygous state. "Biennial Beta vulgaris" refers to Beta vulgaris plants that contain a recessive allele b at the B locus in a homozygous state.

[0210] "Bolting" refers to the transition from the vegetative rosette stage to the inflorescence or reproductive growth stage, especially the transition to shoot formation. Bolting (stem elongation) is the first clearly visible step in the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. Bolting can be characterized by the emergence of (undesirable) shoots during the first year of growth, which is not only disadvantageous for harvesting and processing, but also reduces the crop yield. Indeed, in the case of sugar beet, for example, bolting and flowering of Beta vulgaris plants are undesirable, since in the case of sugar beet, rather than the seeds or fruits, the underground part of the plant, the storage roots, are used and the energy stored in the roots is consumed during the bolting and flowering of the plant.

[0211] As used herein, the term "bolting" refers to a Beta vulgaris plant that bolts during a growing season, particularly in the same year that the Beta vulgaris plant is planted or sown, preferably prior to the time that the beet is or needs to be harvested. In some embodiments, the bolting is an annual Beta vulgaris plant. In some embodiments, the bolting is a weed beet. In some embodiments, the bolting is a sea beet (i.e., Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima). In some embodiments, the bolting is not Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris. In some embodiments, the bolting is not Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. altissima. In some embodiments, the bolting comprises a dominant bolting gene (B gene). As used herein, the term "weed beet" refers to an undesirable beet plant, as opposed to an intended cultivated beet plant in a beet-growing region. Weed beet is typically a wild beet. Weed beet is preferably an annual beet, optionally Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima.

[0212] As used herein, "controlling" in the context of controlling undesirable vegetation, such as bolting or undesirable plants or vegetation, includes inhibiting or preventing the growth of bolting, weed beets or annual beets, or undesirable plants, or inhibiting the bolting of weed beets or annual beets, or at least inhibiting the seed production of weed beets or annual beets. "Controlling" can also include killing bolting, weed beets, or annual beets, or undesirable plants, preferably before bolting occurs, or at least before seed production of bolting, weed beets, or annual beets. "Controlling" can also include reducing the amount of bolting, weed beets, or annual beets, or undesirable plants in a beet-growing area, preferably before bolting occurs, or at least before seed production of bolting, weed beets, or annual beets. Controlling bolting plants or undesirable plants etc. in one embodiment refers to a reduction in the amount of bolting or undesirable plants etc. by at least 50%, or a reduction in the biomass of bolting plants or undesirable plants etc. by at least 50%, such as a reduction of at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, such as at least 80% or at least 90%.

[0213] As used herein, "undesirable plants" or "undesirable vegetation" is understood to mean any plant that grows in an undesirable location. This may be, for example, a harmful plant (e.g., a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous weed or an undesirable crop plant).

[0214] As used herein, "Beta vulgaris growing area" refers to an agricultural area in which Beta vulgaris plants are cultivated (i.e., intentionally planted or sown) for the purposes of harvesting, such as beetroot harvesting or seed harvesting.

[0215] The methods and uses according to the invention as described herein may in one embodiment be for increasing the yield of a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant (i.e. a cultivated Beta vulgaris plant as opposed to, for example, a weedy beet). An increase in yield may for example be an increase in the amount of (cultivated) Beta vulgaris or an increase in the biomass of (cultivated) Beta vulgaris, for example an increase in the amount of harvested or harvestable plant part, such as a beetroot biomass. An increase in yield may also be an increase in overall sugar amount or content (e.g. an increase in sugar yield per hectare), for example in the case of sugar beet.

[0216] As used herein, the term "growing season" generally refers to the period between planting or sowing the Beta vulgaris plant or seed and harvesting the Beta vulgaris plant, particularly the beetroot. Typically, the growing season is from April to October / November. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the growing season may be longer or shorter depending, for example, on climate or weather conditions or geological conditions. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the growing season may be shifted, for example, in the production of winter beet or spring beet.

[0217] In some embodiments, the herbicide as described herein is applied in a dose sufficient to control (e.g., kill, inhibit growth, prevent or delay flowering, etc.) undesirable vegetation such as bolting, weed beet, or annual beet in the method and use according to the present invention as described herein. In some embodiments, such dose is as recommended by the manufacturer. This dose preferably refers to a single application. It will be understood that more than one application may be required during a growing season, such as two or three applications. The dose of such subsequent applications may be the same or different from the dose of the first application.

[0218] In some embodiments, the plant or plant part according to the invention comprises one or more mutations in ALS in addition to the D371 mutation.In some embodiments, the plant or plant part according to the invention comprises one or more mutations in ALS that are alternative to the D371 mutation.

[0219] In one embodiment, the plant or a portion of the plant comprises an ALS having one or more mutations selected from the following: an amino acid different from alanine (A) at position 113, an amino acid different from proline (P) at position 188, an amino acid different from alanine (A) at position 196, an amino acid different from arginine (R) at position 372, an amino acid different from tryptophan (W) at position 569, an amino acid different from serine (S) at position 648, and an amino acid different from glycine (G) at position 649. In one embodiment, the plant or a portion of the plant comprises a polynucleic acid encoding a mutant ALS having one or more mutations selected from the following: an amino acid different from alanine (A) at position 113, an amino acid different from proline (P) at position 188, an amino acid different from alanine (A) at position 196, an amino acid different from arginine (R) at position 372, an amino acid different from tryptophan (W) at position 569, an amino acid different from serine (S) at position 648, and an amino acid different from glycine (G) at position 649. In certain embodiments, the plant or plant portion comprises an endogenous ALS allele encoding an ALS protein having one or more mutations selected from the following: an amino acid different from alanine (A) at position 113, an amino acid different from proline (P) at position 188, an amino acid different from alanine (A) at position 196, an amino acid different from arginine (R) at position 372, an amino acid different from tryptophan (W) at position 569, an amino acid different from serine (S) at position 648, and an amino acid different from glycine (G) at position 649. The amino acid substitutions are as defined elsewhere herein. In certain embodiments, the mutations are conservative amino acid substitutions.

[0220] In one embodiment, a plant or part of a plant according to the invention comprises an ALS protein (or a polynucleic acid encoding an (endogenous) ALS protein, or an endogenous ALS allele encoding an ALS protein) having an amino acid at position 569 different from tryptophan, such as alanine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, valine or arginine, preferably leucine.

[0221] In one embodiment, a plant or part of a plant according to the invention comprises an ALS protein (or a polynucleic acid encoding an (endogenous) ALS protein, or an endogenous ALS allele encoding an ALS protein) having an amino acid at position 371 which is different from aspartic acid, preferably glutamic acid, and an amino acid at position 569 which is different from tryptophan, preferably leucine.

[0222] These additional mutations may be on the same allele or on different alleles (i.e., double mutant ALS or two separate single mutant ALS).

[0223] In certain embodiments, a plant or plant part according to the invention comprises one or more mutations in other genes besides ALS, particularly mutations in other genes that confer herbicide resistance.

[0224] Glyphosate is a unique herbicide because it is the only herbicide known to inhibit the synthesis of the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Plants unable to synthesize these three amino acids are viable. The affected enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway leading to aromatic amino acids is 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), which catalyzes the reaction of shikimate-3-phosphate (S3P) with phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to form 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP). Glyphosate is structurally similar to PEP and binds to EPSPS, competitively inhibiting the enzyme's reaction. Glyphosate is the only herbicide known to act on EPSPS. Inhibiting the synthesis of aromatic amino acids causes more or less immediate cessation of growth and ultimately the death of the plant within days of application. Thus, glyphosate is generally a nonselective herbicide, severely damaging or killing any living plant tissue it comes into contact with. However, it can be selectively used on glyphosate-resistant crops, including sugar beet, corn, soybean, cotton, and canola.

[0225] In one embodiment, the wild type Beta vulgaris epsp synthase has an amino acid sequence as provided in NCBI Reference Sequence XP_010692222.1. In one embodiment, the wild type or native Beta vulgaris epsp synthase has an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of NCBI Reference Sequence XP_010692222.1, preferably having epsp synthase activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 179 is a proline and optionally the amino acid residue at position 175 is a threonine.

[0226] In one embodiment, the wild type Beta vulgaris epsp synthase gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence as provided in NCBI Reference Sequence XP_010692222.1. In one embodiment, the wild type or native Beta vulgaris epsp synthase gene has a sequence encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 98%, such as at least 99%, sequence identity, preferably over the entire length, to the sequence of NCBI Reference Sequence XP_010692222.1, preferably having epsp synthase activity, with the proviso that the amino acid residue at position 179 is a proline and optionally the amino acid residue at position 175 is a threonine.

[0227] Preferably, as used herein, when an amino acid residue position is referred to for epsp synthase, the numbering corresponds to the amino acid position of the reference sequence XP_010692222.1. In a preferred embodiment, the mutant EPSPS comprises a mutation at amino acid position 179, particularly a mutation where position 179 is not a proline, such as a P179S mutation. In a preferred embodiment, the mutant EPSPS comprises a mutation at amino acid position 175, particularly a mutation where position 175 is not a threonine, such as a T175I mutation. In an embodiment, both mutations are present in the EPSPS. Both mutations confer glyphosate resistance.

[0228] In one embodiment, the plant or plant part of the present invention is preferably non-transgenic with respect to the endogenous ALS gene (apart from containing a mutation at amino acid position 371, or any of the other amino acid positions mentioned herein).Of course, the present invention does not exclude that other foreign genes can be introduced into the plant by any of the conventional methods such as genetic engineering or crossing.The aforementioned genes can be genes that confer herbicide resistance, preferably genes that confer herbicide resistance different from ALS inhibitor herbicide resistance, genes that improve yield, genes that improve resistance to biological organisms, and / or genes for content modification.

[0229] The term "transgenic" herein means genetically modified by the introduction of a non-endogenous nucleic acid sequence. Typically, a species-specific nucleic acid sequence is introduced into a cell in a form, arrangement or amount where the nucleic acid sequence does not naturally occur in the cell. Although Beta vulgaris plants according to the present invention are preferably non-transgenic with respect to the mutant ALS synthase, it will be understood that such Beta vulgaris plants may be transgenic with respect to other traits.

[0230] In one aspect, the present invention relates to an (isolated) polynucleic acid encoding a mutant ALS protein as described elsewhere herein. In one embodiment, the (isolated) polynucleic acid encodes an ALS protein having a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, preferably over its entire length, at least 80% identical, preferably at least 90% identical, more preferably at least 95% identical, such as at least 98% identical, with the ALS protein having the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, with the proviso that the amino acid at position 371 is not aspartic acid. In one embodiment, the (isolated) polynucleic acid encodes an ALS protein having a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 (i.e., mutant ALS gene), preferably over its entire length, at least 80% identical, preferably at least 90% identical, more preferably at least 95% identical, such as at least 98% identical, with the proviso that the codon corresponding to the ALS amino acid at position 371 does not code for aspartic acid. In an embodiment, the (isolated) polynucleic acid is at least 80% identical, preferably at least 90% identical, more preferably at least 95% identical, such as at least 98% identical, preferably over its entire length, to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 (i.e., mutant ALS cDNA or coding sequence), with the proviso that the codon corresponding to the ALS amino acid at position 371 does not code for aspartic acid. Preferably, the ALS protein has ALS (enzymatic) activity as described elsewhere herein. In an embodiment, the amino acid at position 371 is glutamic acid. In an embodiment, the ALS protein has a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3. In an aspect, the invention relates to a Beta vulgaris plant or part thereof comprising such a polynucleic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the Beta vulgaris plant or part thereof comprises such a polynucleic acid at its endogenous locus, preferably under the control of its endogenous promoter. Thus, in an embodiment, the invention relates to a Beta vulgaris plant or part thereof, wherein such a polynucleic acid is operably linked to an endogenous ALS promoter. It will be understood that the polynucleic acid may correspond to an ALS cDNA or to an ALS gene sequence.

[0231] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises less than 50,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises less than 40,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises less than 30,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises less than 25,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises less than 20,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises less than 15,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises less than 10,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises less than 5,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides and less than 50,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides and less than 40,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides and less than 30,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides and less than 25,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides and less than 20,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides and less than 15,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides and less than 10,000 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule as described herein comprises at least 100 nucleotides and less than 5,000 nucleotides.

[0232] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a vector comprising the polynucleic acid referred to herein.The vector can be any vector known in the art, such as a prokaryotic vector or a eukaryotic vector.In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid is operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences in the vector, such as a promoter, as known in the art.In some embodiments, the promoter is a plant promoter.In some embodiments, the promoter is a constitutive promoter.In some embodiments, the promoter is an inducible promoter.

[0233] As used herein, "vector" has its usual meaning in the art, and may be, for example, a plasmid, cosmid, phage or expression vector, transformation vector, shuttle vector or cloning vector; it may be double-stranded or single-stranded, linear or circular; or it may transform a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host, either via integration into its genome or extrachromosomally. The nucleic acid according to the invention is preferably operably linked in the vector with one or more regulatory sequences that allow transcription, and optionally expression, in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. The regulatory sequence - preferably DNA - may be homologous or heterologous to the nucleic acid according to the invention. For example, the nucleic acid is under the control of a suitable promoter or terminator. Suitable promoters may be constitutively inducible promoters (e.g. the 35S promoter from the "cauliflower mosaic virus" (Odell et al., 1985)); tissue-specific promoters are particularly suitable (e.g. pollen-specific promoters, Chen et al. (2010), Zhao et al. (2006), or Twell et al. (1991)); or development-specific promoters (e.g. flower-specific promoters). Suitable promoters may also be synthetic or chimeric promoters that do not occur in nature, composed of multiple elements, and which contain a minimal promoter as well as at least one cis-regulatory element upstream of the minimal promoter that serves as a binding site for special transcription factors. Chimeric promoters can be designed according to the desired specifications and are induced or repressed via different factors. Examples of such promoters can be found in Gurr & Rushton (2005) or Venter (2007). For example, a suitable terminator is the nos-terminator (Depicker et al., 1982). Vectors can be introduced via conjugation, mobilization, biolistic transformation, agrobacteria-mediated transformation, transfection, transduction, vacuum infiltration, or electroporation.

[0234] The vector may be a plasmid, cosmid, phage or expression vector, transformation vector, shuttle vector, or cloning vector; it may be double-stranded or single-stranded, linear or circular. The vector may transform a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host either through integration into the genome or extrachromosomally.

[0235] In an embodiment, the vector is an expression vector. The nucleic acid is preferably operably linked in the vector with one or more regulatory sequences that allow transcription and optionally expression in prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells. The regulatory sequence may be homologous or heterologous to the nucleic acid. For example, the nucleic acid is under the control of a suitable promoter or terminator. A suitable promoter may be a constitutively induced promoter, for example, the 35S promoter from the "cauliflower mosaic virus" (Odell et al., 1985. Identification of DNA sequences required for activity of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter). Tissue-specific promoters, such as pollen-specific promoters, as described in Chen et al. (2010. Molecular Biology Reports 37(2):737-744), Zhao et al. (2006. Planta 224(2): 405-412), or Twell et al. (1991. Genes & Development 5(3): 496-507), are particularly suitable, as are development-specific promoters, such as flowering-specific promoters. A suitable promoter may also be a synthetic or chimeric promoter that does not exist in nature and is composed of multiple elements. Such a synthetic or chimeric promoter may contain, in addition to a minimal promoter, at least one cis-regulatory element that serves as a binding site for a specific transcription factor. A chimeric promoter may be designed according to the desired specifications and may be induced or repressed via different factors. Examples of such promoters can be found in Gurr & Rushton (2005. Trends in Biotechnology 23(6): 275-282) or Venter (2007. Trends in Plant Science: 12(3): 118-124).For example, a suitable terminator is the nos-terminator (Depicker et al., 1982. Journal of Molecular and Applied Genetics 1(6): 561-573).

[0236] In some embodiments, the vector is a conditional expression vector. In some embodiments, the vector is a constitutive expression vector. In some embodiments, the vector is a tissue-specific expression vector, such as a leaf-specific expression vector. In some embodiments, the vector is an inducible expression vector. All such vectors are well known in the art.

[0237] Methods for the preparation of the described vectors are known to those skilled in the art (Sambrook et al., 2001).

[0238] Also contemplated herein is a host cell, such as a plant cell or (plant) protoplast, that comprises a nucleic acid as described herein, or a vector as described herein. The host cell may contain the nucleic acid as an extrachromosomal (episomal) replicating molecule, or may contain the nucleic acid integrated into the nuclear or plastid genome of the host cell, or may contain the nucleic acid as an introduced chromosome, e.g., a minichromosome.

[0239] The host cell may be a prokaryotic cell (e.g., a bacterium) or a eukaryotic cell (e.g., a plant cell or a yeast cell). For example, the host cell may be an Agrobacterium, such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens or Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Preferably, the host cell is a plant cell.

[0240] The nucleic acids described herein or the vectors described herein can be introduced into host cells via well-known methods that may depend on the host cell selected, including, for example, conjugation, mobilization, biolistic transformation, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, transfection, transduction, vacuum infiltration, or electroporation. In particular, methods for introducing nucleic acids or vectors into Agrobacterium cells are well known to those skilled in the art and may include conjugation or electroporation methods. Methods for introducing nucleic acids or vectors into plant cells are also known (Sambrook et al., 2001) and may include various transformation methods such as biolistic transformation and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

[0241] In one embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic plant cell comprising a nucleic acid as described herein, in particular an induction promoting nucleic acid or a nucleic acid encoding a double-stranded RNA as described herein, as a transgene or vector as described herein. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic plant or a part thereof, including a transgenic plant cell.

[0242] For example, such a transgenic plant cell or transgenic plant is a plant cell or plant that has been transformed, preferably stably, with a nucleic acid as described herein or a vector as described herein.

[0243] Preferably, the nucleic acid in the transgenic plant cell is operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences that allow transcription and, optionally, expression in the plant cell. The regulatory sequences may be homologous or heterologous to the nucleic acid. The entire structure composed of the nucleic acid and the regulatory sequences according to the present invention may then represent a transgene.

[0244] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a polynucleic acid, preferably an isolated polynucleic acid, capable of specifically hybridizing with any of the polynucleic acid molecules of the present invention as described herein, or with their complement or reverse complement. In an embodiment, such a polynucleic acid can specifically hybridize with the nucleotide sequence molecule of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; or with its complement or reverse complement. It will be understood that such a polynucleic acid specifically hybridizes with the described sequence if it does not (functionally) hybridize with related sequences (e.g., mutant gene vs. wild type gene). Thus, such a polynucleic acid can be used, for example, to distinguish between mutant ALS according to the present invention and, for example, wild type ALS. In an embodiment, the polynucleic acid comprises less than 500 nucleotides, such as less than 400 nucleotides, such as less than 300 nucleotides, such as less than 200 nucleotides, such as less than 100 nucleotides, such as preferably less than 80 nucleotides, more preferably less than 60 nucleotides, most preferably less than 50 nucleotides. In an embodiment, such a polynucleic acid comprises at least 5 nucleotides, preferably at least 10 nucleotides, more preferably at least 15 nucleotides. In one embodiment, such a polynucleic acid comprises between 5 and 500 nucleotides, preferably between 10 and 100 nucleotides, more preferably between 15 and 50 nucleotides, for example between 20 and 50 nucleotides. In one embodiment, such a polynucleic acid is a primer or probe as described elsewhere herein, for example a KASP primer (competitive allele-specific PCR).

[0245] In certain embodiments, such polynucleic acids comprise at least the 10 most 3-terminal nucleotides, preferably at least the 15 most 3-terminal nucleotides, such as at least the 20 most 3-terminal nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 7, a complement thereof, or a reverse complement thereof. In certain embodiments, such polynucleic acids comprise or consist of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, a complement thereof, or a reverse complement thereof.

[0246] In one aspect the invention relates to the use of a polynucleic acid (in particular a polynucleic acid encoding a mutant ALS), vector or host cell as described herein for producing a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant according to the invention as described elsewhere herein, in particular a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant which comprises an (endogenous) ALS protein having an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid.

[0247] In one aspect the present invention relates to the use of a polynucleic acid, in particular a primer or a probe as described herein, for identifying a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant according to the invention as described elsewhere herein, in particular a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant which comprises an (endogenous) ALS protein having an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid.

[0248] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising: a) a polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; b) a polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; c) a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having the cDNA sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; d) a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 The Beta vulgaris plant comprises parts of the plant.

[0249] In some embodiments, the Beta vulgaris plant or plant portion further comprises: a) a polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10; b) a polynucleic acid comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11; c) a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having the cDNA sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11; d) a polynucleic acid encoding an ALS protein having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12 Includes.

[0250] It will be understood that these polynucleic acids are preferably contained in the genome of plant or part of plant.Preferably, these polynucleic acids are conditionally or constitutively expressed, and therefore are under the control of suitable regulatory sequences, as described elsewhere herein.In a preferred embodiment, these polynucleic acids are in the position of endogenous ALS under the control of endogenous ALS promoter.

[0251] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, such as a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant according to the invention as described herein, comprising introducing into a plant or part of a plant, such as a protoplast, a polynucleic acid according to the invention, preferably in the genome of the plant or part of a plant, in particular a polynucleic acid encoding an (endogenous) mutant ALS according to the invention as defined elsewhere herein. In one embodiment, such a method further comprises regenerating a plant from the part of the plant, such as a protoplast.

[0252] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, such as a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant according to the invention as described herein, comprising mutating a polynucleic acid encoding an (endogenous) ALS into the plant or part of a plant, such as a protoplast or a seed, preferably into the genome of the plant or part of a plant, in particular a polynucleic acid encoding an (endogenous) mutant ALS according to the invention as defined elsewhere herein. In an embodiment, such a method further comprises regenerating a plant from the part of the plant, such as a protoplast or a seed.

[0253] Mutagenesis can be performed according to any of the techniques known in the art. As used herein, "mutagenesis" or "mutagenesis" includes both conventional mutagenesis and site-directed mutagenesis or "genome editing" or "gene editing". Conventional mutagenesis does not result in a targeted manner in modifications at the DNA level. Plant cells or plants are exposed to mutagenic conditions, such as TILLING, via UV light exposure or the use of chemicals (Till et al., 2004). Another method of random mutagenesis is transposon-assisted mutagenesis. Site-directed mutagenesis can introduce modifications at the DNA level in a targeted manner at predefined positions in DNA. For example, TALENS, meganucleases, homing endonucleases, zinc finger nucleases, or CRISPR / Cas systems can be used for this purpose.

[0254] In one embodiment, the nucleic acid modification of the ALS gene is performed by random mutagenesis. The cell or organism may be exposed to a mutagen such as UV radiation or a mutagenic chemical (e.g., ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) or the like), and then mutants with the desired properties are selected. The mutants can be identified, for example, by TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes). This method combines mutagenesis, such as mutagenesis using a chemical mutagen such as ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), with highly sensitive DNA screening techniques to identify single-base / point mutations in the target gene. The TILLING method relies on the formation of DNA heteroduplexes, which are formed when multiple alleles are amplified by PCR, then heated and slowly cooled. A "bubble" is formed at the mismatched portion of the two DNA strands, which is then cut by a single-stranded nuclease. The products are then separated by size, such as by HPLC. See also McCallum et al. "Targeted screening for induced mutations"; Nat Biotechnol. 2000 Apr;18(4):455-7 and McCallum et al. "Targeting induced local lesions IN genomes (TILLING) for plant functional genomics"; Plant Physiol. 2000 Jun;123(2):439-42. In one embodiment, mutant ALS can be obtained by targeted mutagenesis, such as gene editing techniques, including CRISPR / Cas, zinc finger nucleases, meganucleases, or TALEN gene editing techniques, as known in the art.

[0255] In one embodiment, the mutant ALS according to the present invention is a) mutagenesis of cells or tissues, e.g. seeds, of Beta vulgaris using EMS and / or EMU, e.g. at least 0.5% EMS or at least 0.3% ENU; b) cultivating cuttings from the mutagenized cells or tissues (M0); c) replanting the cuttings and cultivating seed (M1) populations; d) cultivating seeds (M2) from plants grown from seeds of M1; e) sowing seeds of M2 and applying an ALS inhibitor herbicide; f) optionally repotting surviving plants and applying an ALS inhibitor herbicide to the growing plants; and g) selecting plants that survived the herbicide damage and / or that contain an ALS allele encoding an ALS protein that contains an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D); can be obtained by

[0256] The mutant ALS according to the invention can also be obtained by gene transfer.

[0257] As used herein, the terms "introgression," "introgressed," and "introgressing" refer to both natural and artificial processes in which a chromosomal fragment or gene of one plant, species, variety, or cultivar is transferred to the genome of another plant, species, variety, or cultivar by crossing the plants or species. This process can be optionally completed by backcrossing to the recurrent parent. For example, introgression of a desired allele at a particular locus can be transmitted to at least one progeny via sexual crossing between two parents of the same species, at least one parent having the desired allele in its genome. Alternatively, for example, transmission of the allele can occur by recombination between two donor genomes, such as fused protoplasts, at least one of the donor protoplasts having the desired allele in its genome. The desired allele can be detected, for example, by phenotype, QTL, transgene, or marker associated with the same species, or can be identified through standard techniques such as sequencing, hybridization, PCR, etc., as defined elsewhere herein. In any case, the progeny containing the desired allele can be repeatedly backcrossed to a line with the desired genetic background and selected for the desired allele, thereby fixing the allele in the selected genetic background. This process of "introgression" is often called "backcrossing" if the process is repeated more than once. "Introgression fragment" or "introgression segment" or "introgression region" refers to a chromosome fragment (or a portion or region of a chromosome) that has been artificially or naturally introduced into another plant of the same or closely related species by crossing or traditional breeding techniques, such as backcrossing, i.e., the introgressed fragment is the result of the breeding method (e.g., backcrossing) referred to by the verb "introgress". It is understood that the term "introgression fragment" never includes an entire chromosome, but only a portion of a chromosome.The gene transfer fragment can be larger, for example, three-quarters or even half a chromosome, but is preferably smaller, for example, about 15 Mb or less, e.g., about 10 Mb or less, about 9 Mb or less, about 8 Mb or less, about 7 Mb or less, about 6 Mb or less, about 5 Mb or less, about 4 Mb or less, about 3 Mb or less, about 2.5 Mb or 2 Mb or less, about 1 Mb (equivalent to 1,000,000 base pairs) or less, or about 0.5 Mb (equivalent to 500,000 base pairs) or less, for example, about 200,000 bp (equivalent to 200 kilobase pairs), about 100,000 bp (100 kb), about 50,000 bp (50 kb), about 25,000 bp (25 kb) or less. In one embodiment, the introgression fragment comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of a mutant ALS (allele) according to the invention as described herein.

[0258] A genetic element, introgression fragment, or gene or allele conferring a trait (e.g., ALS inhibitor herbicide tolerance) is said to be "obtainable from," "obtainable," "derived from," "derived from," "present in," or "found in," a plant or part of a plant as described elsewhere herein, if it can be transferred from the plant in which it is present to another plant (e.g., a line or variety) in which it is absent, using traditional breeding techniques, without resulting in a phenotypic change in the recipient plant apart from the addition of the trait conferred by the genetic element, locus, introgression fragment, gene, or allele. These terms are used interchangeably, and thus the genetic element, locus, introgression fragment, gene, or allele can be transferred into any other genetic background lacking the trait. Not only can plants containing the genetic element, locus, introgression fragment, gene, or allele be used, but also progeny / descendants from such plants selected to retain the genetic element, locus, introgression fragment, gene, or allele can be used and are encompassed herein. Whether a plant (or the genomic DNA, cells or tissues of a plant) contains the same genetic elements, loci, introgression fragments, genes or alleles as obtained from such a plant can be determined by one of skill in the art using one or more techniques, or a combination of techniques, known in the art, such as phenotypic assays, whole genome sequencing, molecular marker analysis, trait mapping, chromosome painting, allele testing, etc. It will be understood that transgenic plants may also be included.

[0259] As used herein, the terms "genetic engineering," "transformation," and "genetic recombination" are all used synonymously for the introduction of isolated and cloned genes into the DNA, usually the chromosomal DNA or genome, of another organism.

[0260] As used herein, a "transgenic" or "genetically modified organism" (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using techniques commonly known as "recombinant DNA technology." Recombinant DNA technology encompasses the ability to combine DNA molecules from different sources into one molecule outside of the body (e.g., in a test tube). The term generally does not cover organisms whose genetic makeup has been altered by traditional cross-breeding or "mutagenesis" breeding, since these methods predate the discovery of recombinant DNA technology. As used herein, "non-transgenic" refers to plants and plant-derived foods that are not "transgenic" or "genetically modified organisms" as defined above.

[0261] "Transgene" or "chimeric gene" refers to a genetic locus that contains a DNA sequence, such as a recombinant gene, that has been introduced into the genome of a plant by transformation, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Plants that contain a transgene stably integrated into their genome are called "transgenic plants."

[0262] "Gene editing" or "genome editing" refers to genetic engineering to insert, delete, modify, or replace DNA or RNA in the genome of a living organism. Gene editing can include targeted and non-targeted (random) mutagenesis. Targeted mutagenesis can be achieved using designer nucleases, such as meganucleases, zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector-based nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR / Cas9) systems. These nucleases create site-specific double-strand breaks (DSBs) at desired locations in the genome. The induced double-strand breaks are repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR), resulting in targeted mutations or nucleic acid modifications. The use of designer nucleases is particularly suited to creating gene knockouts or knockdowns. In one embodiment, designer nucleases are developed that specifically induce mutations in the ALS gene, as described elsewhere herein. Delivery and expression systems for designer nuclease systems are well known in the art.

[0263] In some embodiments, the nuclease or targeting / site-specific / homing nuclease is, comprises, essentially consists of, or consists of a (modified) CRISPR / Cas system or complex, a (modified) Cas protein, a (modified) zinc finger, a (modified) zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), a (modified) transcription factor-like effector (TALE), a (modified) transcription factor-like effector nuclease (TALEN), or a (modified) meganuclease. In some embodiments, the (modified) nuclease or targeting / site-specific / homing nuclease is, comprises, essentially consists of, or consists of a (modified) RNA-guided nuclease. It will be understood that in some embodiments, the nuclease may be codon-optimized for expression in plants. As used herein, the term "targeting" of a selected nucleic acid sequence means that nuclease or nuclease complex acts in a nucleotide sequence specific manner.For example, in the context of CRISPR / Cas system, guide RNA can hybridize with the selected nucleic acid sequence.

[0264] Genetic editing can include the transient, inducible, or constitutive expression of gene editing components or systems. Genetic editing can include the genomic integration or episomal presence of gene editing components or systems. Genetic editing components or systems can be provided on vectors such as plasmids, which can be delivered by suitable delivery vehicles as known in the art. Preferred vectors are expression vectors.

[0265] Gene editing may include providing a recombination template for performing homology directed repair (HDR). For example, a genetic element may be replaced by gene editing in which a recombination template is provided. The DNA may be cut upstream and downstream of the sequence that needs to be replaced. Thus, the sequence to be replaced is excised from the DNA. Then, through HDR, the excised sequence is replaced by the template. In an embodiment, the mutant ALS gene or cDNA of the present invention as described herein (or a fragment thereof containing a mutation of the present invention, i.e., corresponding to an amino acid different from the aspartic acid at amino acid position 371 of ALS) can be provided on / as a template. By designing the system to introduce a double-strand break upstream and downstream of the corresponding region of the genome of a plant that does not contain mutant ALS, this region can be excised and replaced with the template containing the mutant ALS (or fragment) of the present invention. In this way, when introducing the mutant ALS of the present invention into a plant, it is not necessary to perform multiple backcrosses, especially in plants with a specific genetic background.

[0266] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a Beta vulgaris plant (or a part of a plant) which is (directly) obtained or which can be obtained by the method for producing a Beta vulgaris plant according to the invention as described herein. In a preferred embodiment, the part of the plant is a root beet (or a beetroot).

[0267] In some embodiments, the mutant ALS in the Beta vulgaris plant or plant part is homozygous. In some embodiments, the mutant ALS in the Beta vulgaris plant or plant part is heterozygous, i.e., the plant or plant part comprises one mutant ALS allele and one wild type allele, or alternatively, one mutant ALS allele according to the invention (i.e., having an amino acid different from aspartic acid at amino acid position 371 as described elsewhere herein) and one mutant ALS allele with a different mutation (e.g., having an amino acid different from tryptophan, preferably at amino acid position 569 as described elsewhere herein).

[0268] In one embodiment, a Beta vulgaris plant or plant portion of the invention comprises an ALS protein having an amino acid at amino acid position 371 that is different from aspartic acid as described elsewhere herein and an amino acid at amino acid position 569 that is different from tryptophan as described elsewhere herein (i.e., a double mutation in the same allele).

[0269] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, such as a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant according to the invention as described herein, comprising screening for the presence of an amino acid at position 371 in an ALS protein that is different from aspartic acid (D) or screening for the presence of a codon encoding an amino acid at position 371 in an ALS protein that is different from aspartic acid (D). The method may further comprise the step of selecting a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant if an amino acid at position 371 in an ALS protein that is different from aspartic acid (D) is identified or if a codon encoding an amino acid at position 371 in an ALS protein that is different from aspartic acid (D) is identified.

[0270] In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for identifying a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, such as a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, that is tolerant or has increased tolerance to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides, comprising screening for the presence of an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid (D) in an ALS protein of a Beta vulgaris plant, or screening for the presence of a codon encoding an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid (D) in an ALS protein. The method may further comprise identifying a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant that is tolerant or has increased tolerance to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides if an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid (D) in an ALS protein is identified, or if a codon encoding an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid (D) in an ALS protein is identified. The method may further include selecting a Beta vulgaris plant or portion of a plant that is tolerant to or has increased tolerance to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides if an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid (D) in the ALS protein is identified or if a codon encoding an amino acid at position 371 different from aspartic acid (D) in the ALS protein is identified.

[0271] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for detecting or identifying an ALS mutation according to the invention as described herein.

[0272] As described elsewhere herein, any means can be applied, including, for example, sequencing, hybridization-based methods (e.g. (dynamic) allele-specific hybridization, molecular beacons, SNP microarrays), enzyme-based methods (PCR, KASP (competitive allele-specific PCR), RFLP, ALFP, RAPD, flap endonucleases, primer extension, 5'-nucleases, oligonucleotide ligation assays, etc.), post-amplification methods based on the physical properties of DNA (e.g. single-strand conformation polymorphism, temperature gradient gel electrophoresis), denaturing high performance liquid chromatography, high-resolution melting of the entire amplicon, use of DNA mismatch binding proteins, SNPlex, Surveyor nuclease assays, etc.).

[0273] In one embodiment, the detection of mutant ALS is carried out by KASP.In one embodiment, the allele-specific KASP primer (of mutant ALS) comprises at least 10 of the 3rd most terminal nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 7, preferably at least 15 of the 3rd most terminal nucleotides, for example at least 20 of the 3rd most terminal nucleotides, its complement, or its reverse complement.In one embodiment, such KSAP primer comprises or consists of the sequence as described in SEQ ID NO: 7, its complement, or its reverse complement.

[0274] In one embodiment, the detection of wild-type ALS is carried out by KASP.In one embodiment, the allele-specific KASP primer (of wild-type ALS) comprises at least 10 of the 3rd most terminal nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:8, preferably at least 15 of the 3rd most terminal nucleotides, for example at least 20 of the 3rd most terminal nucleotides, its complement, or its reverse complement.In one embodiment, such KSAP primer comprises or consists of the sequence as described in SEQ ID NO:8, its complement, or its reverse complement.

[0275] Common KASP primer (used in detecting both mutant ALS and wild-type ALS) can be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art, and its position is not particularly limited.In one embodiment, common primer comprises or consists of the sequence as described in SEQ ID NO:9.

[0276] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a kit comprising a polynucleic acid, in particular a primer or probe, as described herein, and optionally a reagent for detecting mutant ALS or for distinguishing between mutant and wild-type ALS, such as a KASP primer as described herein.

[0277] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a Beta vulgaris root beet (or beetroot), comprising sowing or planting a Beta vulgaris plant according to the invention as described elsewhere herein and harvesting the root beet (or beetroot), preferably at the end of the growing season.

[0278] In one aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a Beta vulgaris plant or part of a plant, preferably a root beet (or beetroot), in a method for sugar production, anaerobic digestion, or fermentation.

[0279] In one aspect the present invention relates to the use of a Beta vulgaris plant or part of the plant, preferably the root beet (or beetroot), in a method for biogas or biofuel production.

[0280] As used herein, "fermentation" refers to a process in which a microorganism is used to convert an organic molecule into another molecule. For example, "fermentation" refers to the aerobically converting sugars or other molecules from a plant material, such as the plant material of the present invention, to produce alcohol (e.g., ethanol, methanol, butanol); organic acids [e.g., citric acid, acetic acid, itaconic acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid); ketones [e.g., acetone], amino acids {e.g., glutamic acid}; gases {e.g., H2 and CO2}, antibiotics {e.g., penicillin and tetracycline}; enzymes; vitamins {e.g., riboflavin, B12, β-carotene}; and / or hormones. Fermentation includes fermentation used in the consumable alcohol industry {e.g., beer and wine}. Fermentation also includes anaerobic fermentation, for example, for the production of biofuels. Fermentation can be accomplished by any organism suitable for use in the desired fermentation step, including, but not limited to, bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protists. Suitable fermenting organisms include those capable of converting mono-, di-, and trisaccharides, particularly glucose and maltose, or any other biomass-derived molecule, directly or indirectly, into a desired fermentation product (e.g., ethanol, butanol, etc.). Suitable fermenting organisms also include those capable of converting non-sugar molecules into a desired fermentation product. Such organisms and fermentation methods are known to those skilled in the art.

[0281] The term "biofuel" as used herein refers to fuel derived from biomass, i.e., living or recently living biological organisms, such as plants or animal waste. Biofuels include, but are not limited to, biodiesel, biohydrogen, biogas, biomass-derived dimethylfuran (DMF), and the like. In particular, the term "biofuel" can be used to refer to plant-derived alcohols, such as ethanol, methanol, propanol, or butanol, which can be denatured as necessary before use. The term "biofuel" can also be used to refer to fuel mixtures that include plant-derived fuels, such as alcohol / gasoline mixtures (i.e., gasohol). Gasohol can contain any desired percentage of plant-derived alcohol (i.e., about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% plant-derived alcohol). For example, a useful biofuel-based mixture is E85, which contains 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The biofuel can be any biofuel produced by aerobic or anaerobic fermentation of plant material. A non-limiting example of a biofuel obtained by aerobic fermentation is bioethanol. Biofuels obtained by anaerobic fermentation include, but are not limited to, biogas and / or biodiesel. Methods of aerobic and / or anaerobic fermentation are known to those skilled in the art. Further encompassed by the present invention are methods for producing one or more biofuels or biofuels selected from the group including ethanol, biogas and / or biodiesel produced by the present invention.

[0282] The invention also includes other industrial applications, such as the production of antibodies or bioplastics in the sugar beet plants of the invention. Furthermore, the sugar beet plants of the invention or parts thereof can also be used without further processing, for example as livestock feed.

[0283] The term "sugar" refers to fermentable mono-, di-, and trisaccharides, particularly mono- and disaccharides. Thus, in the present invention, sugar includes, but is not limited to, sucrose, fructose, glucose, galactose, maltose, lactose, and mannose, preferably sucrose.

[0284] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are further supported by the following non-limiting examples.

[0285] Working Example Example 1 250 kg of sugar beet seeds of KWS's own genotype of generation M2 mutagenized with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) were sown in a 15 ha field. Six and eight weeks after germination, the field was sprayed with the herbicide CONVISO® ONE (50 g / L formulfuron, 30 g / L thiencarbazone-methyl) at a concentration of 0.5 L ha-1. Two weeks after the second treatment, surviving plants were selected, transplanted and further grown in the greenhouse. One more treatment of CONVISO® ONE (0.5 L ha-1) was applied in the greenhouse. A total of seven plants were selected. DNA samples were extracted from all five individuals and the BvALS coding sequence was sequenced using standard methods (Sanger sequencing).

[0286] Two mutants, designated 18ZZJZJ7MS1001-0019 and 18ZZJZJ7MS1001-0023, coincidentally harbored the same T to A mutation at position 1141 (position 1113 in the provided CDS, SEQ ID NO:2) of the BvALS_g8976.t1_T807_genomic_DNA reference sequence, which converted into an Asp (D) to Glu (E) amino acid change at position 371 of the BvALS protein sequence (SEQ ID NO:3). As the sequencing of the other three mutants was unclear, they were initially considered not to be mutated within the BvALS protein coding sequence.

[0287] To determine the zygosity and unambiguously identify the point mutation leading to the substitution D371E in BvALS, a specific marker, sytxalss14as001, applicable as a KASP marker, was developed: Primer_AlleleX (mutant allele): [ka] Primer_AlleleY (wild type allele): [ka] Primer_Common: [ka]

[0288] Application of markers showed that mutant plants 18ZZJZJ7MS1001-0019 and 18ZZJZJ7MS1001-0023 were homozygous for the point mutation leading to the substitution D371E in BvALS. The markers identified two of the three unknown mutants, 18ZZJZJ7MS1001-0018 and 18ZZJZJ7MS1001-0030, as heterozygous for the point mutation leading to the substitution D371E in BvALS.

[0289] The identified ALS mutants were repeatedly tested with CONVISO® ONE treatments at the concentrations used for field treatments, as well as with each of the active ingredients of CONVISO® ONE, foramsulfuron and thiencarbazone-methyl, with Pulsar® 40 (active ingredient: imazamox), with the active ingredient bispyribac, and with Broadway® (active ingredients: florasulam, pyroxylam) (Table 1). All herbicide treatments were performed at a rate equivalent to 1x the recommended field application concentration: progeny seeds of both homozygous and heterozygous plants for the BvALS_D371E mutation and the M0-background genotype were sown, grown in a greenhouse, and transplanted into single pots after germination. Herbicide treatments were performed when the true leaves emerged.

[0290] [Table 3]

[0291] Tolerance assessment was performed 14 days after treatment. Growth of the first pair of true leaves was used as an index of herbicide tolerance. Surprisingly, homozygous as well as heterozygous BvALS_D371E mutants survived four of the five known classes of ALS inhibitors, as well as CONVISO® ONE, a mixture of two such classes of ALS inhibitors, without visible phytotoxic herbicide damage (Table 2).

[0292] [Table 4]

[0293] Furthermore, one of the sugar beet genotypes homozygous for the mutation BvALS_D371E (RR) was crossed with a second sugar beet genotype. The progeny were phenotyped for resistance to CONVISO® ONE. Genetic segregation of RR:Rs:ss (1:2:1) was expected. Observations show a phenotypic segregation of 3:1 (resistant:susceptible). This reaffirms that even heterozygous mutants show a high level of resistance suitable for commercial applications.

Claims

1. A Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population that contains, expresses, or is capable of expressing a polynucleic acid encoding a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein or a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein that includes an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371.

2. 2. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population of claim 1, comprising a mutant endogenous allele encoding an ALS protein containing an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371.

3. 10. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population of claim 1, which is tolerant to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides.

4. 2. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population of claim 1, which is resistant to one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides selected from (sulfon)amides, such as sulfonylureas, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, sulfonanilides, or triazolopyrimidines; imidazolinones; and pyrimidinyl(thio / oxy)benzoates, preferably selected from sulfonylureas, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, imidazolinones, and pyrimidinyl(thio / oxy)benzoates.

5. 2. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population of claim 1, comprising a polynucleic acid encoding a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein or comprising a mutant endogenous allele encoding an ALS protein containing an amino acid other than tryptophan (W) at position 569.

6. 2. The Beta vulgaris plant, plant part, or plant population of claim 1, wherein the ALS is homozygous or heterozygous.

7. 10. An (isolated) polynucleic acid encoding a mutant endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. 8. The (isolated) polynucleic acid of claim 7, wherein the ALS protein has a sequence that is at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, such as at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO:

3.

9. A vector comprising the polynucleic acid of claim 7.

10. 8. An (isolated) polynucleic acid that specifically hybridizes to the polynucleic acid of claim 7, its complement, or its reverse complement, preferably wherein said polynucleic acid is a primer or a probe.

11. A method for identifying a Beta vulgaris plant or plant portion, comprising screening for the presence of an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D) in the ALS protein, or screening for the presence of a codon encoding an amino acid at position 371 other than aspartic acid (D) in the ALS protein.

12. 1. A method for producing a Beta vulgaris plant or plant portion, comprising mutating an endogenous ALS allele in the genome of the plant or plant portion that results in an ALS allele encoding an ALS protein that includes an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371, or introducing (and expressing) a polynucleic acid in the genome of the plant or plant portion that encodes a mutant endogenous ALS protein that includes an amino acid other than aspartic acid (D) at position 371.

13. 13. A Beta vulgaris plant or plant part, or a descendant thereof, obtained (directly) or obtainable by the method according to claim 12.

14. 1. A method for controlling undesirable vegetation in a Beta vulgaris growing area or for increasing yield in a Beta vulgaris growing area, comprising: a) planting a Beta vulgaris plant or sowing Beta vulgaris seeds according to any one of claims 1 to 6; b) applying one or more ALS inhibitor herbicides to growing plants, preferably at a dose sufficient to inhibit the growth of undesirable vegetation, and more preferably at a dose sufficient to kill the undesirable vegetation; and c) optionally repeating step b) during the growing season. A method comprising:

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the undesirable vegetation comprises bolting, weed beet, or annual beet.