Herbicide-Resistance and Genetic Testing
The modern farmer faces various challenges, from fluctuating market demands to the unpredictable whims of Mother Nature. Of all these challenges, the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds has rapidly emerged as a pressing concern. In Canada alone, weeds cost growers over half a billion dollars annually in replacement herbicides and reduced crop yields. Herbicide-resistant weeds pose a significant threat to food production worldwide.
To address this issue, Kristen Obeid’s (OMAFRA Weed Management Specialist) survey program and Pest Management Centre (PMC) have supported the development of genetic tests that help the Canadian agricultural sector manage herbicide-resistant weeds more effectively.
In collaboration with Healthy Hydroponics, Turnkey Genomics now provides this herbicide resistance testing service, offering numerous benefits to growers and consultants.
Was your herbicide rotation less effective than it used to be? You can talk to us here:
The Growing Problem of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds
Weeds compete with crops for vital nutrients and space. Left unchecked, they can severely dent crop yields while siphoning nutrients that were added and intended for your field. So, what happens when these weeds adapt, developing resistance to the very herbicides designed to control them?
In Canada, this isn’t a hypothetical question. Herbicide resistance is already costing our nation over half a billion dollars annually. This price is paid in the form of replacement herbicides and reduced crop yields.
So, how do we detect these weeds that adapt to herbicides earlier?
Genetic Testing for Herbicide Resistance
Enter Kristen Obeid, OMAFRA’s Weed Management Specialist, Pest Management Centre (PMC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Since 2016, they have spearheaded significant strides in understanding and managing herbicide resistance in horticulture crops. Kristen’s survey program, funded by the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA), accounts for the majority of the testing in Ontario. Read more about the program here.
Key findings from recent research include:
- 76 new cases of herbicide resistance have been reported in the past few years.
- The development of 16 genetic-based herbicide resistance tests, with five more on the horizon.
These herbicide resistance tests are a game-changer. Not only are they faster, but they’re also ten times more cost-effective than traditional screening methods. Within 1-2 weeks, they can confirm the presence or absence of herbicide resistance from a small weed leaf sample.
Our partner, Turnkey Genomics, now provides herbicide resistance testing for the agriculture industry. Healthy Hydroponics then processes and analyzes the samples at our lab in Waterloo. We have recently detected resistance by common ragweed and redroot pigweed.
For the farmer, this means informed decisions, monetary savings, and reduced environmental impact from excessive herbicide use. For those involved in the herbicide industry, this means an early warning system to which they can have much more efficient targets for research and development of products.
Looking Ahead
Canadian crops, from vegetables and fruits to grains, form the backbone of our nation’s food supply. With global challenges like climate change and invasive species threatening food production, the work to combat herbicide-resistant weeds is more critical than ever.
As the Pest Management Centre celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, it stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Canadian agricultural community. Turnkey Genomics and Health Hydroponics InnoTech continues to grow to provide top-tier services for genomics and genetic solutions for agriculture problems.
References
- Obeid, K., Simard, M., Laforest, M., Page, E., Nurse, R., & Miville, D. (2020). Update on Herbicide Resistance Genetic Testing. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Harrow, ON, Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Harrow Research and Development Centre. Harrow, ON, Canada; Laboratoire d’Expertise et de Diagnostic en Phytoprotection, Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec. QC, Canada.
David Santos is the COO/CMO of Healthy Hydroponics InnoTech
