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Slowing the evolution of resistance

A study looking at practices leading to herbicide resistance shows that simply rotating herbicide modes of action isn’t the answer.

Conducted by the University of Illinois and USDA, Ag Research Service (ARS), the study shows controlling resistance begins with farmers using herbicides and seed trait packages they already have.

“What we also found when we exposed populations to multiple mechanisms of action through good, effective tank mixes, the selection intensity for resistance was greatly reduced as compared with using less effective mechanisms of action each time,” said University of Illinois weed scientist Aaron Hager.

In another part of the study, Hager said they found that farmers can’t blame their neighbor’s weed populations for resistant weeds on their farm.

“In other words, even if you have neighbors like this, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doomed, so to speak, to have this problem,” Hager said. “You can keep these things at bay if you really implement a very diversified management program against these resistant weed populations.”

Hager says diversifying a weed management program may consist of a number of things, including things other than just using and relying on herbicides.

“It’s going to be a bit more complicated, it’s really not going to be simple, but these are some things that could be effective in slowing this intensity down,” said the University of Illinois weed scientist.

Audio: Aaron Hager, Weed scientist, University of Illinois