April 6, 2007

A multi-state project to assess shifts in weed populations and methods to address Roundup-resistant weeds will be the topic of a seminar at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff.

The seminar will be Friday, April 20, at 3:15 p.m. in the Bluestem Room at the Panhandle Center. It is free and open to the public.

UNL Weed Specialist Dr. Robert Wilson will provide an overview of a project, "Assessing the Long-Term Viability of Roundup Ready® Technology as a Foundation for Cropping Systems in Nebraska."

The adoption of Roundup weed management programs has become one of the biggest changes in American agriculture in the last 20 years, Wilson said. It is estimated that over 90% of the soybeans and 70 % of the corn grown in Nebraska will be Roundup Ready in 2007. The rapid adoption of Roundup Ready also has increased the acreage of no-till or reduced tillage crop production.

How these changes in weed control and tillage programs are influencing weed populations is of interest to weed scientists across the country. A survey of growers utilizing Roundup Ready crops provides interesting insights into grower perceptions on weed resistance and weed management. The survey results provide a foundation for on-farm field experiments to evaluate the sustainability and profitability of Roundup based cropping systems.