Farmers in western North Dakota are being urged to watch closely for waterhemp.” NDSU Weed Scientist Brian Jenks says early detection is essential. “We have found it in a couple of places in Ward County, a couple of low spots where it was just solid waterhemp,” said Jenks. “If this waterhemp gets in our lentils, peas, chickpeas, and sunflowers, we don’t have a good way to control it. There’s essentially zero post-emergence options.” There may be options in corn and soybeans, but that’s not the case with minor crops. If growers identify an unusual plant in the field, they shouldn’t combine it. “Go ahead and pull it. Take a picture of it, send it to us, and let us confirm if it is waterhemp.” Jenks adds that one single waterhemp plant can produce up to 200,000 seeds, meaning rapid action now could save growers thousands of dollars and prevent years of infestation.
