Kansas wheat producers face drought and crop yield losses due to drought conditions. The rain brings forth a new adversary: weeds. Recognizing the urgent need for effective solutions, researchers from Kansas State University, led by Dr. Mithila Jugulam, aim to empower farmers with additional tools to combat post-emergent weeds.
Weeds are a significant challenge in cropping systems, competing with wheat and causing yield losses ranging from 10 to 50%. Harvest delays, spraying, taller weeds, and elevator complications can result from weed growth, causing delays in cutting and storage.
Currently, wheat producers have access to two production systems tailored for grass and broadleaf control: Clearfield wheat varieties coupled with Altitude FX 3 herbicide, and CoAXium wheat varieties paired with Aggressor AX herbicide. While these systems have proved powerful, Dr. Jugulam emphasizes the importance of continuous research to expand the arsenal of weed control options available to wheat producers.
Dr. Jugulam, Dr. Asif Mohmmad, and Dr. Harold Trick collaborated to assess wheat germplasm tolerance to selective herbicides Laudis and Callisto. These herbicides have shown effective control over broadleaf, and grass weed species but are unregistered for wheat use.
Through three years of extensive research supported by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Wheat Alliance, and Kansas Crop Improvement Association, the team evaluated existing varieties, experimental lines, wild relatives, and mutant lines for herbicide tolerance.
They identified winter wheat genotypes, particularly WW-1 and WW-2 developed by the Kansas Wheat Alliance, as the least sensitive and capable of surviving six times the field-recommended rates of these herbicides. In contrast, spring wheat exhibited high sensitivity.
The WW-1 and WW-2 genotypes can metabolize herbicides into non-toxic forms through specific enzymes, similar to corn. The research aims to identify genes granting tolerance to these herbicides, potentially enabling the development of new herbicide-resistant wheat varieties using CRISPR-based editing systems.
The research team aims to develop herbicide-resistant wheat varieties by diversifying herbicide options for weed control. This will help mitigate weed resistance challenges, minimize crop losses, and boost overall productivity for wheat farmers.
These cutting-edge innovations and discoveries offer a ray of hope on the horizon, empowering farmers with more targeted and powerful tools to safeguard their wheat crops. With continued research and development, the agricultural community can look forward to a future where weed control becomes more efficient, crop yields are protected, and the productivity of Kansas wheat production soars to new heights.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoomtravels
Categories: Kansas, Crops