By William S. Curran
If you’re involved in any way with field crop production in the state of Pennsylvania you have a role to play in the identification and management of invasive pigweeds. Tools to help with that effort are available now at upcoming events.
Everyone should know about the newer invasive pigweeds that have become a problem in some areas of the state – Southeastern PA is our epicenter. Herbicide resistant Palmer amaranth and waterhemp have invaded a number of farms over the last three years and “Scouting Early and Often” should be the mantra. We have produced two new pigweed management items of interest that will be available at various Penn State Extension events this summer. The first is a small spiral-bound pocket guide titled “A War on Weeds”, a growers guide to minimizing the threat of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
This small guide includes some color images to help with proper identification as well as some “Best Management Practices” for agronomic, fruit, vegetable and organic growers as well as for equipment and transportation, and animal production. The second item is a 40 gal recycled paper bag that is to be used for bagging and burning or burying pigweed plants later in the summer to prevent seed production and spread.
This bag is intended for growers or land managers to use when only a few plants are present early in the infestation cycle to help reduce its spread. If the field is full of invasive pigweeds, other measures need to be implemented. If you are attending the Farming for Success Field Day this week at the Penn State Southeast Area Research and Education Center (SEAREC or Landisville), get your copy of these new pigweed management materials.
Source:psu.edu