Palmer amaranth, a swift-spreading weed, is raising alarms in North America. Native to the southwestern US and northwestern Mexico, it has traversed to the southeast, Midwest, and even Canada. This aggressive weed, growing up to three inches daily, poses challenges as it resists multiple herbicides. A mature plant can tower between six and eight feet, producing over a quarter of a million seeds, leading to significant crop yield reductions.
To address the invasion, a three-pronged approach is proposed: tracking and monitoring, education, and research. Anthony Brusa, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, emphasizes the importance of all three, particularly education. Growers must identify Palmer amaranth in their fields.
Palmer amaranth seeds may be concealed in manure, making contaminated manure a potential spreader. Genetic tests identify seeds in manure. An experiment on recovering seeds from cattle manure showed promise, with over 90% recovered using rinse sieving. Preventive measures, like scrutinizing feed for contamination, are crucial for larger-scale solutions.
While the weed shows resistance, timely herbicide application when the plant is 2-3 inches tall can be effective. Team efforts and open communication, as witnessed in Minnesota, will be most important in managing this challenge.
Categories: Minnesota, Crops