Palmer amaranth is the newest of the 13 noxious weeds on North Dakota’s noxious weed list. “Palmer amaranth doesn’t really fit the traditional noxious weed definition,” said Tom Peters, sugarbeet agronomist, NDSU and University of Minnesota Extension. “Noxious weeds are traditionally perennials and have been in our landscape for years. Palmer is different, because it is an annual weed. People think annual weeds are easier to control than perennials, but they are not. They are just as problematic.” Palmer can develop a resistance to herbicides, making it harder to control. Until 2018, the weed hadn’t been identified in North Dakota. So far, it’s been confirmed in 14 counties. It’s being transferred many ways including feed and seed screenings. In addition to raising awareness about noxious weed control, Peters would like to see the state’s noxious weed law changed to include seeds. “We could write text in the law that would indicate we can’t knowingly disseminate crop seeds that contain Palmer amaranth. That would require implementing testing protocol.” Peters attended North Dakota’s Noxious Weed Task Force Meeting.
