The giant that threatens the fields of Indiana

By Randy Woodson, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture

Glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed was first found in Indiana last year in one county, but it has now spread to 10 Hoosier counties. It is more fearsome than other herbicide-resistant weeds because it can overcome a crop resulting in major yield loss.

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service specialists encourage growers to use a diversified approach to weed control in an effort to combat giant ragweed and other troublesome weeds. Also this summer, Purdue researchers from a variety of disciplines will experiment in 20 to 30 Indiana counties to try to find the best strategies for weeds to optimize crop yields and farm profitability.

Purdue also leads a 16-state effort with information posted on a Web site: Glyphosate, Weeds, and Crops, at http://www.glyphosateweedscrops.org.

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