Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are two of the most difficult and costly weeds in soybean fields. They have become resistant to several herbicides, which means farmers are spending more money on chemicals and still not getting good weed control. This project will test new technologies and strategies across six states to improve weed control and reduce herbicide inputs, saving farmers time and money.
The team will test a new soybean variety, Vyconic, which is resistant to five different herbicides, to see how it stands up to the herbicides under high weed pressure.
A second objective is testing the Ecorobotix ARA sprayer, which uses cameras and AI to limit herbicide use to spray only weeds rather than an entire field. The team will also test a “see and till” robot, which locates individual weeds and tills in only these areas without disturbing the whole field.
A third objective explores overlapping residual herbicides. The team will test multiple herbicides applied to the soil at the right time to stop weed growth before they start, rather than spraying the weeds after they are growing.
The team will also test the MGX-1001 bioherbicide, which is a natural microbial weed killer, for effectiveness on weeds and soybean safety.
Project results will be shared through outreach materials at field days and extension events.
Results from this research can help farmers obtain better weed control with less chemical reliance, saving time and money. Results of testing new technology will help farmers know whether these are good investments for their operations.