Prepare to battle pigweeds

INDIANAPOLIS — Pigweeds, including Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, are major challenges for farmers in Indiana and across the United States.

Tommy Butts, University of Arkansas Extension weed scientist, compared the battle to Star Wars, at the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser Conference.

Just like the Empire after the destruction of the Death Star, pigweeds seem to rapidly counter our efforts at controlling them, he said.

Their prolific growth characteristics include high seed production, adaptability, and large and fast growth potential.

Combined with herbicide resistance, pigweeds are a strong enemy.

“Waterhemp and Palmer will grow anywhere,” Butts said. “They are amazing plants and very adaptable. It’s very challenging.

“Additionally, their germination is very tricky for our crop production systems. Palmer and waterhemp both emerge later than a lot of other weeds. Typically, they like temperatures to be at least 75 degrees during the day. In the Midwest, that could be beginning to mid-June.”

Pigweeds will germinate throughout the entire season, as long as temperatures persist.

What can farmers do to fight pigweeds? Implementing multiple, diverse integrated weed management strategies is crucial.

“We’re going to have to implement a lot of different strategies,” Butts said. “It’s going to be challenging. But that’s the only way to beat something like waterhemp or Palmer.”

Weed Control Tips

• Use multiple, effective modes of action and tank mixing

• Optimize spray applications

• Clean tillage and harvest equipment

• Enhance crop competitiveness

• Effectively implement and utilize new technologies

• Weed seedbank management

Butts recommended a SPORTS weed management strategy. “This acronym helps you remember our weed control recommendations,” he said.

S — Start clean

P — Pre-emergent herbicides

O — Overlap residuals

R — Required integrated weed management tactics

T — Timely with strategies

S — Selection of multiple, effective site-of-action herbicides