2026
Late-season Liberty applications to manage herbicide resistance in Palmer amaranth and waterhemp
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
(none assigned)
Lead Principal Investigator:
Sarah Lancaster, Kansas State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Jeremie Kouame, Kansas State University
Kraig Roozeboom, Kansas State University
+1 More
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Pigweed species (Palmer amaranth and waterhemp) have become increasingly difficult for Kansas farmers to control because resistance to herbicides, such as glyphosate and ALS-inhibitors (Group 2) is common. Resistance to PPO-inhibiting herbicides (Group 14) and 2,4-D has also been reported. Furthermore, it is expected that the occurrence of resistance to growth regulator herbicides like 2,4-D and dicamba will increase in the near future due to their use in Enlist and Xtend soybeans. These developments have led to reliance on Liberty to control pigweeds in season. Other states have reported Palmer amaranth populations with resistance to glufosinate , and it is likely resistant populations...
Information And Results
Project Summary

Pigweed species (Palmer amaranth and waterhemp) have become increasingly difficult for Kansas farmers to control because resistance to herbicides, such as glyphosate and ALS-inhibitors (Group 2) is common. Resistance to PPO-inhibiting herbicides (Group 14) and 2,4-D has also been reported. Furthermore, it is expected that the occurrence of resistance to growth regulator herbicides like 2,4-D and dicamba will increase in the near future due to their use in Enlist and Xtend soybeans. These developments have led to reliance on Liberty to control pigweeds in season. Other states have reported Palmer amaranth populations with resistance to glufosinate , and it is likely resistant populations exist in Kansas. In addition, herbicide applications made in hot, dry conditions to large pigweeds are resulting in unacceptable control. A greater understanding of the impact of environmental conditions on pigweed control and the best way to measure those conditions will help growers improve weed control. Effective herbicide programs will likely require sequential applications. However, there is little data or economic analysis to support recommendations regarding the details of sequential herbicide applications. This project seeks to identify application characteristics and environmental conditions that result in the greatest weed control and economic return. In addition, this project will contribute to sample collection and screening for resistance to key herbicides used in soybean production systems.

Project Objectives

Objectives
1. Identify the herbicide combinations and sequences that provide the best control of large Palmer amaranth and waterhemp
2. Develop a greater understanding of the influence of humidity and temperature on the effectiveness of Liberty (glufosinate)
3. Develop an understanding of glufosinate sensitivity/tolerance in Palmer amaranth and waterhemp across Kansas
4. Identify the herbicide treatments and environmental conditions that have the greatest economic benefit.

Project Deliverables

We will communicate the results via KSRE field days, newsletters and other electronic communications, Extension fact sheets, scientific presentations, and at least one peer-reviewed publication.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

The information generated in this project will help prolong the usefulness of an important herbicide (Liberty) by using it in the most effective way possible and detecting resistant populations before they have become widespread.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.