Managing for Profit

Weeds present differing levels of resource competition

Different weeds present different levels of competition for water and nutrients.  Syngenta weed scientist Brett Craigmyle says no matter what the weed is, it’s also important to keep them under control.  All weeds compete for water and nutrients, but each its own level.

“Take a giant ragweed, for example, it’s a very competitive weed,” Craigmyle told Brownfield Ag News at the Syngenta Grow More Experience site near Columbia, Missouri.  “It doesn’t take as many of them to take away a lot of water and a lot of nutrients.”

On the other hand, one of the most dreaded weeds – water hemp – is, by itself, comparatively thrifty.  The damage comes from the number of seeds each water hemp plant produces.

AUDIO: Brett Craigmyle (3 min. MP3)