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Herbicide resistant horseweed
(Wednesday, June 4, 2003 -- CropChoice news) -- Associated Press via Agnet: LITTLE ROCK -- Genetics and herbicide use are, according to this story,
contributing to the rise of a strong strain of horseweed, troubling farmers
who likely will have to spend millions of dollars to fight the plant that is
immune to a common weed-killer.
Ken Smith, of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, the
weed scientist who confirmed the horseweed's presence in an Arkansas cotton
field,, was cited as saying it could cost the state's farmers as much as $9
million to combat it next year, adding "We're probably to the point where
it's going to be too late to give them good control this year and they're
going to suffer some yield loss."
Smith was further cited as saying that farmers exclusively using glyphosate
and glyphosate-infused seeds to fight weeds in their fields likely will need
to take additional steps before next year's planting season and that the
weed could affect 600,000 acres by next year's planting season in February
and March, costing farmers an additional $8 to $15 per acre.
David Heering, a Roundup technical manager for St. Louis-based Monsanto, was
cited as saying that horseweed, also known as marestail, is typically found
in no-till areas because it can't grow in a tilled field. No-till areas help
reduce soil erosion and also help farmers reduce planting costs.
Heering said products sold in areas where the resistant horseweed is
confirmed will include instructions about mixing other products with Roundup
to combat the weed. | |
