Research Project

Biology and Management of Glyphosate-Resistant Kochia

AWC contribution: $30,000

Start date: April 1, 2013

End date: March 31, 2016

Summary:

In 2012 and 2013 numerous other fields were confirmed to contain glyphosate-resistant kochia in Alberta and south-western Saskatchewan. There are >50 confirmed glyphosate-resistant kochia sites at this time. Thus, it is quite evident that glyphosate-resistant kochia is quickly becoming a widespread problem that producers need advice on.

This project will provide growers with advice on alternative herbicides to control glyphosate-resistant kochia and new information on kochia biology that will aid in devising longer term integrated control strategies.

Objectives:

  1. Determine the seed production potential, timing of viable seed development, and seed dormancy status of glyphosate-resistant kochia,
  2. Identify cost-effective and efficacious herbicides to control glyphosate-resistant kochia in preseed/chemfallow situations and in-crop applications in the major field crops wheat, canola, and field pea.

Benefit to producers:

This project will provide information on seed production potential and time (growing degree days) required for glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia to reach seed maturity. Knowledge on timing of viable seed production will allow optimal timing of herbicides applied postharvest and during the chemfallow year. Information on seed production and seed dormancy will give an indication of the fitness of these GR kochia populations, will aid in proper herbicide timing, and will be used in developing longer term integrated control strategies. It will also identify effective alternative herbicides to be tank-mixed with glyphosate to control GR kochia in preseed and chemfallow applications. Identify effective in-crop herbicides to control GR kochia in wheat, canola and field pea. This new information will be critical to growers as a first measure in controlling glyphosate-resistant kochia on their farms.

Bio- not provided by Robert, taken from FarmTech proceedings:

Dr. Bob Blackshaw is a Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at Lethbridge, Alberta and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Lethbridge. He conducts research on integrated weed management and sustainable crop production systems. Bob has published 185 scientific papers and a book on cultural weed control.

http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/science-and-innovation/research-centres/alberta/lethbridge-research-centre/scientific-staff-and-expertise/blackshaw-robert-phd/?id=1181931252799