Waterhemp

Even the most experienced growers can confuse weeds from time to time. Different types of pigweeds can look similar, and misidentifying weeds can have repercussions for weed management and crop production.

Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth are 2 of the most common yield-robbing weeds corn and soybean growers face today. These 2 pigweeds can be found in almost all corn- and soybean-growing regions in the U.S. and are often misidentified. Palmer amaranth has also been spreading northward and can be found in more counties every year. Here are some common identifiers:

• Palmer amaranth cotyledons tend to be longer and narrower compared to those seen on waterhemp.
• True leaves on Palmer amaranth will be notched at the tip; little hairs are less common on waterhemp seedlings.

Both of these weeds have the ability to produce and spread hundreds of thousands of seeds if not properly managed. When allowed to mature, this can escalate resistance in fields and reduce overall crop quality and profits.

While many herbicides are labeled for a number of common weeds, it’s important to know exactly what’s in your field in order to create an effective weed control program. This is especially true as resistant Palmer amaranth continues to spread. Programs with multiple effective sites of action will result in the most complete control of labeled weeds.

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