By Blake Jackson
Farmers have been using herbicides to control weeds for many years, but weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to these chemicals. A new type of weed resistance, called metabolic resistance, is emerging that allows weeds to detoxify any herbicide, even those that have never been used before.
Metabolic resistance is different from traditional weed resistance, which occurs when a weed develops an enzyme that targets a specific herbicide or group of herbicides. With metabolic resistance, the weed can break down any herbicide using natural biological processes.
This new type of weed resistance is a serious threat to farmers, as it could make it difficult or impossible to control weeds using herbicides. Farmers may need to rely on other methods of weed control, such as crop rotation, mulches, cover crops, and mechanical means.
Researchers are working to develop new herbicides and other methods to control weeds with metabolic resistance. However, it is important for farmers to be aware of this new threat and to take steps to prevent weed resistance from developing on their farms.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoomtravels
Categories: Missouri, Crops