Maximum Yield USA December 2019 / January 2020 | Page 18

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FACTS
Waterhemp Herbicide Resistance Grows Stronger
A research study in the journal Weed Science provides worrisome
new details about the evolution of herbicide resistance in waterhemp
— an annual weed that represents a significant threat to Midwest corn
and soybean crops. When a waterhemp biotype in eastern Nebraska
survived a post-emergent application of the PPO inhibitor fomesafen,
a team of university scientists decided to take a closer look. They
discovered the population was resistant to four distinct herbicide
sites of action, including PPO inhibitors, ALS inhibitors, EPSPS
inhibitors, and PS II inhibitors. “Our study showed there simply are no
effective post-emergent herbicide choices for the control of resistant
waterhemp in either glyphosate-resistant or conventional crops,”
says Debalin Sarangi, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln. “Growers will need to diversify their approaches
to weed management and complement the use of chemicals with
cultural and mechanical controls.”
— phys.org
Combating Disease Affecting Brassica Crops
A team of Punjab Agricultural University and University of Western Australia
researchers recently reported a breakthrough in disease resistance in Brassica
crops. Brassica varieties are used for food, including broccoli, cauliflower,
cabbage and — especially — oilseed crops for producing canola oil and
mustard (the condiment). The researchers claim their findings will lead
to advances that strengthen Brassicas against attack from Sclerotinia
stem rot. This disease is particularly damaging to Brassica crops like
canola and mustard, causing major yield losses. The study, recently
published in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science, describes genetic
markers associated with resistance against the Sclerotinia stem rot
disease in Brassica juncea (Indian mustard). Professor Martin Barbetti from
the UWA School of Agriculture says managing Sclerotinia stem rot could be
achieved by the genetic resistance present within brassica crops: “Developing
crops with greater disease resistance is the only effective avenue for long-term,
cost-effective management of this devastating, worldwide pathogen.”
— ruralnewsgroup.co.nz
Poisonous Plants for Dogs
With lots of attention being given to CBD and dogs, the canine website
rover.com published a lengthy list of 20 plants that are harmful to dogs.
Just as dog owners wouldn’t want their dog eating a few grams of
cannabis, these plants will also have an adverse affect on Fido, starting
with aloe vera, which is one of the most popular house plants. When
dogs eat it, it will irritate the digestive system. Ivy is another common
plant and when consumed by a dog, the animal could have difficulty
breathing, a rash, or even go into a coma with paralysis, so make sure
your pet can’t access those leaves that sometimes dangle down from
a bookshelf. Another plant that’s poisonous for dogs is the jade plant.
When dogs ingest jade leaves, they may begin vomiting, while their
heart rate can drop. It will also make your dog depressed.
— rover.com
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