Growing superheads threaten soybeans, corn production

By Johnny Lupsha, current events writer

Plant-friendly weeds, such as Palmer Amaranth, are a growing threat to farmland. Repeating the same weed treatment can help unwanted plants develop resistance. How do they compete with other weeds?

Large weeds are growing in the field of agriculture
One of the most serious weed threats is Palmer Amhara killing crops in North Dakota. Photo by Shutterstock

Palmer Amhara is one of the most powerful weeds in the world. It can grow three inches a day and spit out many seeds at the time of death after being sprayed with pesticides. The ever-increasing intensity of weed control chemicals is not the same as the so-called “supermarkets” that are slowly taking over American farms. Some weeds are already so strong that they can penetrate other fields and damage crops and trees.

So where do weeds come from and who are the worst criminals in the United States? In the video series The science of gardening, Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, an urban horticultural extension specialist at Washington State University, has many backgrounds for weeds.

The origin of weeds

Gardeners often refer to weeds as an unnecessary plant, but Dr. Chalker-Scott calls it an “out-of-place plant.” But where did they come from?

“Europe and Asia and Africa will be the main destinations for weeds, and many have brought food here,” he said. Ornamentals have always been a source of trouble for weeds, and they have found interesting things in history and brought them back here, or, on the other hand, they have come here and taken our plants elsewhere and some have become weeds. ”

Ornamental weeds are widely distributed in the horticultural industry, often by people who do not know how serious some plants are and how they can become weeds. In addition, some weeds were brought to the United States for practical use.

“In other words, by controlling soil erosion, to help build fences or windmills,” said Dr. Chalker-Scott. And finally, many came by chance – they were stuffed with seeds and packing material like seeds, and they got here and found a place to go.

Weed under another name

It is one of the most invasive weeds in the United States Hedera Helix, Commonly known as Ivy in English. Hedera Helix He is of European descent. Dr. Chalker: Scott is a beautiful plant that has an emotional appeal because it came first as a refugee. She described the ancient buildings with colorful walls as beautiful.

But English Ivy has many problems. It creates a large cultural landscape, so it cannot grow on any side except for trees that can reach it. However, when the Ivy reaches maturity, it climbs those trees and loses its weight, which can lead to broken limbs or the death of the entire tree during a hurricane. He also built a large house for rats.

Other vineyards have problems.

“[Kudzu] There are many different types Ue Raria Species: Not just one species, ”said Dr. Chalker-Scott. “It was introduced as a decorative wine in the late 1800s, and has since been used for years to prevent dust erosion, so it has been used twice because of its beauty and function. Unfortunately, he also lost control. ”

Kuduzu presents similar problems to English Ivy – it affects the health and survival of trees and shrubs and all those who grow under it – but it grows faster.

English Ivy and Kuzu are not as aggressive as Palmer Amhara, but they are all weeds that threaten other species wherever they grow.

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