Weeds that Survived Drought may Challenge Farmers’ 2013 Planting

From waterhemp and pigweed to marestail and ragweed, it’s never too early to think about herbicide-resistant weeds, a persistent problem for soybean farmers. This season, farmers especially need to be on the lookout as weeds that survived the drought may be even harder to kill.

In drought conditions, weeds grow more slowly and develop thicker cuticles on leaf surfaces, which inhibits herbicide movement throughout the plant, says Mark Loux, Ohio State University Extension weed scientist. In response to these weeds, a more aggressive burndown program is a viable option farmers should consider prior to this year’s planting season.

With weed resistance a hot topic in the ag industry, here are a few articles from universities and extension programs that you can find online that highlight best practices to help fight weeds this year.

In “Weeds Take a Back Seat,” Bryan Young, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University weed scientist, advises how to control Palmer amaranth through application timing and residual herbicides.

In “Back to the Basics to Fight Waterhemp,” Kevin Bradley, Ph.D., University of Missouri professor of plant sciences, warns that waterhemp will be the driver weed throughout the Midwest. Hear Bradley’s recommendations for managing this weed.

In “Fighting back: Herbicide-Resistant Weeds,” Jeffrey Gunsolus, Ph.D., University of Minnesota professor and extension weed specialist, explains why variety is the key to managing resistant weeds.

In “5 Tips for Managing Resistant Weeds,” Michael Owen, Iowa State University Extension weed specialist, offers tips for managing an increasingly herbicide-resistant weed population. He says as you go from West to East in the Corn Belt, the frequency of issues with marestail and ragweed increases.

 

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