Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are the two most problematic weeds in soybeans in the midwestern US. Continued reliance on herbicide-only programs is not sustainable and will likely accelerate resistance evolution, underscoring the urgent need to integrate non-chemical approaches into pigweed management. Recent advances in technology have created new opportunities in weed science research, particularly for reducing pigweed seedbanks, enabling early detection of herbicide injury, and supporting data-driven decisions. Gamma-irradiated sterile pollen can produce nonviable seeds in Palmer amaranth, contributing to seedbank reduction. The sterile pollen technique (SPT) integrated with herbicide programs may reduce the pigweed seedbank over time.
The objective of this project is to evaluate the sterile pollen technique (SPT) for integrated management and seedbank reduction of pigweed species in soybeans. The SPT is an emerging technology in which gamma-irradiated sterile pollens of pigweed will be evaluated for seedbank reduction. Sterile pollen competes with natural pollen and fertilizes the ovule, resulting on a non-viable seed.
This project will evaluate innovative approaches to improve long-term weed management and profitability for soybean producers. Assessing the sterile pollen technique (SPT), a novel seedbank reduction approach, with herbicide programs may help reduce waterhemp and Palmer amaranth seed production and slow resistance evolution.