Helena Agronomy

Dr. Aaron Hager is an associate professor at the University of Illinois.  He contributes to increased crop production through development and implementation of integrated weed management programs.  On the podcast we discuss the biology and history of waterhemp, cases of resistance, and management of this tough weed.  The reproduction strategy of water hemp makes it highly diverse which opens up the opportunity for the evolution of several cases of herbicide resistance.  Resistance to 7 different herbicide classes have been demonstrated in water hemp.  In addition, the mechanisms of resistance seen in water hemp  require farmers to think differently about how they manage this weed.  As agronomists and advisors we need to understand this important weed in order to provide the best information, products and services to farmers.