Palmer Amaranth Confirmed in Polk County
Here we go again, Palmer Amaranth has been confirmed in the tenth Minnesota County. This time in Northwestern Minnesota in Polk County. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) was called to inspect a field that was used for the disposal of agricultural screenings. Staff from the MDA collected samples of the screening material, used genetic testing and determined it was Palmer Amaranth.
MDA staff then scouted the field and found dead Palmer Amaranth plants on the edge of the field from last year which suggests the plants grew and matured last year. The landowner is working with the MDA to eradicate the weeds plus the field and surrounding area will be scouted by the MDA this summer.
Below is the statement from MDA:
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has positively identified the invasive weed Palmer amaranth in Polk County. The confirmation came after the MDA inspected a field being used for the disposal of agricultural screenings.
The MDA collected a sample of the screenings material and determined by genetic testing that it was contaminated with Palmer amaranth seed. The field was scouted, and MDA staff found several dead Palmer amaranth plants on the field’s edge remaining from last year, suggesting the plants had grown and matured.
The landowner is working with the department to eradicate any of the weeds moving forward. At this time, the MDA believes the issue is isolated to only one field. The field and the surrounding area will be a priority for MDA field scouting this summer.
Invasive Palmer amaranth threatens Illinois crops
Katie Parker, U of I Extension
Special to McDonough County Voice, USA TODAY NETWORK
QUINCY Palmer amaranth is an invasive weed species we have been hearing a lot about in agriculture over the last 10 years, and it continues to be a threat after its first documented appearance in Illinois in 2012. Native to southwestern US states, palmer amaranth has made its way to 39 of the states.
Palmer amaranth is one of several Amaranthus species in Illinois; it is a fast-growing annual weed growing up to 3 inches per day reaching an overall height around 6 ft. The plant can produce up to 100,000 to 500,000 seeds, and the seeds can remain dormant in the soil for many years.
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