Kochia Challenges

Farmers are busy evaluating their cropping options for the new crop year.

Weed control is a key factor in crop production and over the last couple of years, kochia has been more of an issue for some producers, especially in the southern half of the province.

Provincial Weed Control Specialist Clark Brenzil says it’s not a surprise since kochia does well under hot, dry conditions adding it’s a weed that spreads easily.

“There are about 40,000 seeds per plant depending on the size of it. So, that means it’s very good at spreading its progeny around, it’s also a tumbleweed. So not only does it create all those seeds, it’s also very good at spreading them around the countryside as well.”

He advises producers in an effort to control the weed not to summerfallow.

“Summerfallow is probably one of the primary reasons’ it’s developed glyphosate resistance.  In addition to that, it’s the combination of doing that and applying only glyphosate at relatively low rates to control weeds within the summerfallow.”

He says research is showing the best way to manage the plant is to use a product or tank-mix that contains multiple groups of action.

Brenzil has more advice for farmers in dealing with kochia, don’t cheat on seed rates because you want that crop to be as competitive as possible, adding that he also recommends narrow row spacing of 10 inches or less.