University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

October 13, 2006

Multi-state research looks at glyphosate management and alternatives

 University weed scientists in Nebraska and five other states will be conducting a four-year on-farm study of how farmers use glyphosate in their weed-management systems. They hope to learn more about the likelihood of herbicide-resistant weeds developing and discover alternative tactics that farmers could use to manage herbicide resistance and weed shifts.

Photo of UNL Weed Scientist Bob Wilson and research technician Raquel Guedes examining weed management data in the field.
UNL Weed Specialist Robert Wilson and research technician Raquel Guedes use Geographical Positioning System (GPS) equipment to map a field for a study on weed resistance and weed shifts in glyphosate weed-management systems.
Adoption of Roundup® (glyphosate) weed management programs has been widespread among Nebraska corn and soybean producers. It is estimated that more than 90% of the soybeans and 40-50% of the corn planted for 2006 in Nebraska was glyphosate-resistant.

While glyphosate effectively controls many weeds, weed scientists and others are concerned about losing this tool due to the development of resistant weeds. As part of this research weed scientists from six states — Mississippi, North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska — will be conducting four-year on-farm studies to determine the viability of various crop management strategies that incorporate glyphosate for weed management.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln weed scientists working on the project are Robert Wilson, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff; Robert Klein, West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte; Alex Martin and Mark Bernards, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Lincoln; and Stevan Knezevic, Northeast Research and Extension Center, Norfolk.

According to Wilson, the objectives of the research project are to:

Wilson said a grower survey was conducted initially to determine trends. Based on the survey results, a subset of farmers surveyed was contacted to establish alternative weed management strategies on their farms over the next four years.

Twenty-eight Nebraska producers are cooperating on the project and will compare the following rotations:

Shifts in weed populations, changes in weed species present, and levels of weed control will be monitored, as well as yields and economics over several years with various rotation systems. The study is sponsored by Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup. For more information about the project contact Robert Wilson, UNL Extension weed scientist, at 308-632-1263, or rwilson1@unl.edu.

David Ostdiek
Communications Specialist, Panhandle REC

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Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
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