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Weedy rice has become herbicide resistant through rapid evolution

Scientists found that weedy rice has developed herbicide resistance through gene flow from crop rice, with most fields showing resistant plants within 20 years of herbicide-resistant rice cultivation. This rapid evolution is due to the close proximity of weedy and crop rice in the same fields, allowing for pollen transfer and outcrossing.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

Study shows a single cover crop can outperform mixtures

A recent study found that a single high-performing cover crop can effectively suppress weeds, even surpassing the benefits of mixtures containing multiple species. The research demonstrated that monoculture cover crops, such as buckwheat and oat, outperformed average mixtures in terms of productivity and weed suppression.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalWeed Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2022

Palmer amaranth in two southern states now resistant to S-metolachlor

Research finds Palmer amaranth populations in Arkansas and two Southern states are resistant to S-metolachlor, a Group 15 herbicide. Resistant populations require more herbicide to control seedling emergence, but remain susceptible to other VLCFA inhibitors like dimethenamid-P and pyroxasulfone.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalWeed Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Weed zapping

Researchers found that electrocution treatments can eliminate up to 97% of late-season, herbicide-resistant waterhemp plants. The treatments also reduced weed seed viability by 54-80%, with some studies showing yield losses of 11-26%.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalWeed Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2022

Rare plants attract rare bees and birds in urban gardens

A Dartmouth-led study found that urban gardens with rare plant species tend to attract rare bee and bird species. Women, older gardeners, and those living near the gardens are more likely to curate these rare plants, suggesting a cascading effect on biodiversity.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEcological Applications·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2022

Timing is everything for weed management

Researchers identified peak emergence times for 15 problematic weed species in the Northeast, revealing that waiting till after June 1 can avoid common ragweed. Flexible crop rotations and weather-based predictions can help farmers plan ahead and control weeds more effectively.

SourceCornell University·JournalFrontiers in Agronomy·DateJul 5, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Agricultural companies use new tools for herbicide discovery

Herbicide companies are shifting their research focus to address growing resistance, using AI, X-ray crystallography, and computer simulations to predict target enzymes and inhibit herbicides. This could lead to new commercial products, but experts caution farmers to moderate use and consider additional crop protection tools.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJun 22, 2022

Mugwort allergy: MedUni Vienna study creates basis for vaccine

A research team at MedUni Vienna has discovered key mechanisms of mugwort allergy, laying the foundation for a potential vaccine. The study found that fragments of the major mugwort pollen allergen can be used for effective therapy, providing a promising first step towards causal therapy and prevention.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJun 22, 2022

Review examines the impact of herbicide-resistant crops on weed management

A recent review of 25 years of data on herbicide-resistant crops found they can play a key role in integrated weed management, reducing herbicide use and weed population selection pressure. However, growers often rely solely on these crops, leading to widespread herbicide-resistant weed populations.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalWeed Science·TypeObservational study·DateJun 17, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Climate change demands near perfect weed control in soybean

Research reveals that climate change and drought can cause significant yield losses in soybeans, even with high levels of weed control. To mitigate this, farmers need to adopt integrated weed management strategies, including the use of soil-residual herbicides and late-maturing soybean varieties.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateApr 11, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

CSU, biotech company partnering on RNA-based method for weed control

Researchers at Colorado State University are developing an RNA-based method for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds using gene-silencing technology. The goal is to create a non-genetically modified, shelf-stable spray that targets specific strands of RNA in weed cells, leaving crops untouched.

SourceColorado State University·DateMar 8, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Illinois research shows how dicamba could be safely used in sweet corn

A study by University of Illinois researchers found that applying dicamba at the latest growth stage and using a safener can help minimize injury to sweet corn. The results suggest that dicamba could be used safely in sweet corn with proper application timing and formulation, offering practical guidance for farmers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalWeed Science·DateFeb 8, 2022

Stemming the tide of invasive weeds with world-first herbicide capsules

Researchers have developed a novel herbicide delivery system using capsules that drill into invasive weeds, providing a safer and more effective alternative to traditional methods. The system has shown promising results in reducing herbicide usage by 30% while maintaining effectiveness against various weed species.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalPlants·DateDec 1, 2021

First dicamba-resistant waterhemp reported in Illinois

Researchers have confirmed a Champaign County waterhemp population is resistant to dicamba, with a 65% control rate. The population shows signs of metabolic resistance, activating detoxification genes before the chemical can harm. This finding raises concerns about the potential for broader herbicide resistance.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalWeed Science·DateNov 29, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Weed goes off script to resist herbicides

University of Illinois researchers discovered waterhemp's unique mechanism to detoxify the herbicide SA3, adding complexity to controlling this weed. This finding raises concerns about the potential for waterhemp to resist new herbicides before they are even commercialized.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalNew Phytologist·DateOct 5, 2021

Yeast and bacteria together biosynthesize plant hormones for weed control

Scientists have developed a method to produce strigolactones, a group of plant hormones that prevent excessive budding and branching. By combining yeast and bacteria, researchers can synthesize these hormones from microbes, providing a promising alternative to traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2021

Think climate change is bad for corn? Add weeds to the equation

Researchers found that late-season weeds had a significant impact on corn yields, with minimal control resulting in an average loss of 50% and exacerbating crop losses under hot or dry conditions. The study suggests that climate change is not the only factor affecting corn yield, but rather its interaction with weeds.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateSep 7, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

White clover’s toxic tricks traced to its hybridization

Research at Washington University in St. Louis reveals that white clover's chemical defense against insect pests comes from both of its parental species, not just one as previously thought. The plant's ecological success can be attributed to this cyanogenesis process.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2021

Herbicide resistance no longer a black box for scientists

Researchers identify gene regions responsible for non-target-site herbicide resistance in waterhemp, a key step towards early detection and management tools. By analyzing the genome of waterhemp, scientists have narrowed down the genetic regions controlling resistance to two areas, paving the way for further studies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalPest Management Science·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 16, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Stinkweed could make a cleaner bio-jet fuel, study finds

A new study suggests that growing stinkweed as a crop could produce cleaner jet fuel with fewer environmental impacts than other biofuels. The study found that stinkweed requires less fertilizer and pesticides, resulting in lower carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution.

SourceOhio State University·JournalApplied Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 2, 2021

Study shows environmental link to herbicide-resistant horseweed

A study by Michigan State University found that horseweed's growth type is influenced by environmental cues, with rosette plants emerging in response to temperature and photoperiod variations. Upright plants, resistant to glyphosate, are three- to four-fold less sensitive than their rosette siblings, making them harder to control.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalWeed Science·DateJul 23, 2021

Mixtures of two herbicides have less environmental impact when mixed in laboratories

A University of Córdoba study found that mixing two herbicides in laboratories results in a more effective and environmentally friendly method for controlling difficult-to-control weeds. The commercial mixture was shown to have a lower environmental impact than manual mixing, reducing risks and boosting effectiveness by 10-20%.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateMay 27, 2021
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Research spotlights Minnesota's successes in eradicating Palmer amaranth

Researchers highlight Minnesota's success in eradicating Palmer amaranth, a hard-to-control noxious weed that can significantly reduce crop yields. The state's coordinated approach, including broad cooperation among stakeholders and swift action, led to the eradication of infestations at multiple sites across the state.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalWeed Technology·DateApr 30, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Weed invaders are getting faster

A study by James Cook University found that invasive plants rapidly adapt to new regions, growing and reproducing faster in tropical environments. This trend suggests that global warming will increase invasive impacts in these areas.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateMar 15, 2021

Unveiling the cause of onion center rot

A new study has identified pantaphos as the molecule responsible for causing onion center rot. The researchers also discovered that pantaphos can act as an effective herbicide and is toxic to glioblastoma cells, making it a promising candidate for agricultural and biomedical applications.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalmBio·DateMar 9, 2021

Invasive weed may help treat some human diseases, researchers find

Researchers have discovered that extracts from the invasive weed Andropogon virginicus show promise in treating type 2 diabetes and blood cancer by inhibiting cell damage and killing cancer cells. The team plans to further test the compounds and develop functional pharmaceuticals.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalPlants·DateMar 8, 2021

UT Plant Sciences' Senseman receives highest honor from WSSA

Scott Senseman, UT Department Head, receives highest honor from WSSA for his work in weed science and education. He emphasizes the importance of developing the next generation of weed scientists to address global food security challenges.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateMar 2, 2021
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Variable weather makes weeds harder to whack

A study found that variable weather conditions make pre-emergence herbicides less effective, leading to increased use of post-emergence herbicides. Herbicide combinations can help minimize rainfall requirements and improve weed control.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalPest Management Science·DateFeb 8, 2021

Male weeds may hold key to their own demise

Researchers have identified key genes responsible for male sexual organs in two problematic agricultural weeds. Understanding these genes could lead to new ways to control the weeds' spread. Dioecy, a rare plant reproductive trait, allows the weeds to evade multiple herbicides and adapt to environments.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalNew Phytologist·DateDec 11, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Scientific journal launches new series on the biology of invasive plants

The journal Invasive Plant Science and Management has launched a new series on the biology of invasive plants, focusing on emerging threats such as Pyrachantha augustifolia. The series aims to provide practical recommendations for intervening with invasive plant species and alerting biosecurity managers.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalInvasive Plant Science and Management·DateNov 16, 2020

Cover crop could solve weed problems for edamame growers

A new study shows early-terminated rye can effectively suppress weeds in edamame without harming the crop, increasing yield and reducing contamination. However, other crops like lima bean may not benefit from this approach due to their nitrogen-fixing limitations.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateOct 13, 2020
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Cover crops effective at suppressing weeds in cotton

Planting cover crops is a key strategy for effective integrated weed management in cotton, offering benefits like improved Palmer amaranth control and reduced herbicide input. Research shows that cover crops can also mitigate wind and water erosion, while minimizing labor and improving cotton stand.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·DateSep 9, 2020

When, how, and why to use harvest aids

Harvest aids accelerate natural processes to minimize trash, improve quality, and expedite harvesting. The timing of application is crucial, considering factors like labor availability, weather, and regional preferences.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·DateSep 9, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Genomes published for major agricultural weeds

Researchers have published the most comprehensive genome information for three troublesome agricultural weeds, which could lead to better understanding of herbicide resistance. The genomes will help identify specific enzymes responsible for detoxifying herbicides, enabling scientists to develop new control methods.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateAug 27, 2020

Weed's wily ways explained in Illinois research

Researchers have discovered that herbicide-resistant weeds like waterhemp produce detoxifying enzymes to neutralize certain chemicals, making them resistant to common herbicides. This metabolic resistance strategy is hard to identify and combat, highlighting the need for a multi-pronged approach to control these weeds.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalWeed Science·DateJun 17, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.