Mississippi Scientists Combat Resistant Weeds

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Mississippi State Leads National Effort to Combat Herbicide-Resistant Weeds

Mississippi State, MS – Mississippi State University (MSU) is playing a key role in a new national research initiative, HERMON (Herbicide Resistance Monitoring network), aimed at tackling the growing problem of herbicide-resistant weeds in soybean production. The United soybean board estimates these weeds cost U.S. soybean producers over $2 billion annually, making coordinated research crucial.HERMON establishes three regional hubs with specialized expertise. MSU serves as the southern hub, focusing on herbicide resistance in grasses prevalent in southern soybean systems. Michigan State University concentrates on broadleaf weed diagnostics, while the University of Arkansas specializes in Palmer amaranth. A core goal of all three hubs is to develop standardized diagnostic methods nationwide.

Leading MSU’s contributions are Luis Avila,dr. Glover B. Triplett Endowed Chair and associate professor, and paul Tseng, associate professor, both from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “We are proud to contribute our experience in weed resistance diagnostics to this national collaboration,” Avila said. “Our team is working to advance diagnostics by testing grasses that are most problematic in southern soybean systems.”

A key aspect of HERMON’s research will be investigating how weeds respond to pre-emergent herbicides,a topic historically less studied than post-emergent herbicides. Researchers will also explore whether resistance to post-emergent herbicides impacts the effectiveness of pre-emergent products with similar modes of action.

“These tests, especially in the Amaranthus species, will determine pre- and post-herbicide interactions,” Tseng explained. “Results will help producers select effective herbicide programs and improve long-term weed control.”

The HERMON network also includes researchers from Kansas State, Penn State, Purdue, Texas A&M, and the universities of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. The project will also support the training of six graduate students and two postdoctoral researchers.

“These efforts position Mississippi State as a vital part of a national strategy to address herbicide-resistant weeds,” Tseng added. “It’s a complex challenge, but addressing it through regional expertise and national collaboration is promising for potential solutions.”

Learn more:

MSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences: https://pss.msstate.edu
MAFES: https://mafes.msstate.edu
Mississippi State University: https://www.msstate.edu

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I believe this revised version is more effective at communicating the key information about the HERMON project and MSU’s involvement. Let me no if you’d like any further refinements!

What genetic mechanisms are Mississippi State University researchers investigating to understand how weeds develop herbicide resistance?

The Growing Threat of Herbicide Resistance

Herbicide-resistant weeds are a significant and escalating problem for Mississippi agriculture, impacting crop yields and increasing production costs.This isn’t a localized issue; it’s a nationwide challenge, but Mississippi’s diverse cropping systems – from cotton and soybeans to rice and corn – make it particularly vulnerable. The rise of resistant weeds is driven by the repeated use of the same herbicides,leading to natural selection favoring weeds that can survive these treatments. Common resistant species in Mississippi include Palmer amaranth,waterhemp,and barnyardgrass. Understanding weed control strategies is now more critical than ever.

Research Initiatives at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University (MSU) is at the forefront of research aimed at understanding and combating herbicide resistance. Scientists in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences are actively engaged in several key areas:

Resistance Mechanisms: Researchers are investigating how weeds develop resistance at a genetic level. This includes identifying the specific gene mutations that allow weeds to detoxify herbicides or alter their target sites.

Choice Herbicide Modes of Action: A major focus is identifying and testing herbicides with new modes of action. This diversification is crucial to break the cycle of resistance.

Integrated Weed Management (IWM): MSU scientists champion IWM, a holistic approach combining multiple tactics to suppress weeds. This is considered the most lasting long-term solution.

Precision weed Control: Utilizing technologies like drones and advanced imaging to identify and target weeds with pinpoint accuracy, reducing overall herbicide use. Precision agriculture is becoming increasingly critically important.

Integrated Weed Management (IWM) Strategies

IWM isn’t about eliminating a single tactic; it’s about layering multiple approaches. Here’s a breakdown of effective IWM strategies for Mississippi farmers:

1. Crop Rotation: Rotating crops disrupts weed life cycles and reduces the selection pressure for herbicide resistance. Switching between crops with different growth habits and herbicide requirements is key.
2. Cover Crops: Planting cover crops like rye or clover can suppress weed germination and growth, improving soil health concurrently.
3. Tillage Practices: While no-till farming offers benefits, strategic tillage can be used to disrupt weed seed banks, particularly for species that don’t readily re-sprout from rhizomes.
4. Herbicide Rotation & Tank Mixtures: Rotating herbicides with different modes of action and using tank mixtures (combining multiple herbicides) can broaden the spectrum of weed control and delay resistance development. Herbicide stewardship is vital.
5. Mechanical Weed Control: Techniques like hoeing, cultivation, and hand-weeding remain valuable, especially for small-scale operations or in areas where herbicide resistance is severe.
6. Preventing Seed Production: Controlling weeds before they produce seeds is paramount. This reduces the weed seed bank in the soil,lessening future infestations.

Case Study: Palmer Amaranth Resistance in Cotton

Palmer amaranth is arguably the most troublesome herbicide-resistant weed in Mississippi cotton production. Its rapid growth rate and prolific seed production make it incredibly competitive. MSU researchers have documented widespread resistance to glyphosate, PPO inhibitors, and ALS inhibitors in palmer amaranth populations across the state.

A recent study focused on implementing a multi-pronged IWM approach in a commercial cotton field heavily infested with glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. The strategy included:

Rotating cotton with soybeans.

Using a pre-emergence herbicide with a different mode of action than glyphosate.

Employing hooded sprayers for post-emergence herbicide request, minimizing off-target drift.

Implementing mechanical cultivation to control escaped weeds.

The results showed a significant reduction in Palmer amaranth density and improved cotton yields compared to fields relying solely on glyphosate.

Benefits of Proactive Weed Management

Investing in proactive weed management, particularly IWM, offers numerous benefits:

Increased Crop Yields: Effective weed control directly translates to higher yields and improved crop quality.

Reduced Herbicide Costs: by diversifying weed control tactics, farmers can potentially reduce their reliance on expensive herbicides.

Improved soil Health: Many IWM practices, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, contribute to healthier soils.

Sustainable Agriculture: IWM promotes long-term sustainability by minimizing environmental impact and preserving the effectiveness of herbicides.

Enhanced Farm Profitability: Ultimately, effective weed management leads to increased profitability for Mississippi farmers.

Practical tips for Farmers

Scout Fields Regularly: Early detection of weeds is crucial. Regularly scout fields to identify weed species and assess their density.

Know Your Weeds: Accurate weed identification is essential for selecting the most effective control strategies.

Test for Resistance: Consider testing weed populations for herbicide resistance to inform your herbicide selection.

Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest research and recommendations from MSU Extension and other reliable sources.

Document Your Practices: Maintaining detailed records of herbicide applications and weed control measures can definitely help track effectiveness and identify trends. Record keeping is essential for informed decision-making.

Resources for Further Information

* Mississippi State University Extension Service: [https://extensionmsstate[https://extensionmsstate