Fall 2024: Weed Herbicide Resistance Survey

Affiliations:

Aggie Research Mentoring Program

Project Leader:

Luke Schmitz

lschmitz@tamu.edu

Soil and Crop Sciences

Meeting Times:

TBA

Team Size:

Open Spots:

Special Opportunities:

Team members will learn plenty about herbicide symptoms, modes of action, and the development of herbicide resistance in a population.

Team Needs:

Those with a background in agriculture and/or greenhouse work are appreciated but no prior experience is necessary. Team members are required to be able to work in close proximity to and around herbicides (with proper safety precautions and protective equipment).

Description:

You will be involved in a survey of herbicide resistance for Amaranthus populations collected from all over the state of Texas. The primary research goal is to determine changes in incidence of herbicide resistance for the representative samples and how that occurs geographically. This will inform farmers on their management practices for weed control. Additionally, there is the potential for discovery of novel herbicide resistance that could be investigated for a new molecular mechanism.

The project primarily involves growing Palmer amaranth in greenhouse to later spray with a variety of herbicides so the symptoms may be analyzed. Killing plants is not the sole purpose of the experiment but it does make for a healthy and respectful outlet for one to be destructive of something living, which may be of use to some people. The important thing that will come from the project is the practical application of the data derived from the herbicide treatments in a controlled, scientific environment.