Palmer amaranth

[gil.gullickson]

All,

I've done quite a bit on Palmer amaranth, and plan to do so again. This pigweed has been a huge problem in mid-South states like Arkansas, and it has been found as far north as in Michigan and South Dakota.

Have you heard any reports of it surfacing in your area? This is really a bad weed, even worse than waterhemp.

Thanks,

Gil Gullickson

Crops Technology Editor

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

I've heard of none locally.  Local farmers are keeping an eye out for it.

The news I get on PA is from ISU Extension people, who seem to suspect it is a littl emroe widespread then the two southern corners of the state.

Does it fare OK in extended winters?

[gil.gullickson]

Thx Jim. Not sure about Palmer's ability to survive winters, but it must if it's been found in SD and Michigan. Be nice if winter could curtail its spread, though. It originated, I think, in the Southwestern U.S., so it originated in a hot arid climate.

Gil