Penn State Weed Specialists Solicit Farmer Participation for Pokeweed Research Project
HARRISBURG, PA (June 27, 2012) – Pennsylvania growers who have a problem with pokeweed in their fields are invited to participate in a research project aimed at controlling this weed. Penn State Weed Specialists are looking to the state’s farmers for fields that could serve as additional research locations for their study into the management of pokeweed. The research is currently being conducted at Penn State’s Research Farm near State College.
Pokeweed is an increasing problem in Pennsylvania fields and can be a tough weed to control due to its perennial life cycle and ability to regrow from a large, persistent taproot, says Penn State Weed Specialist Kelly Patches. Patches and Dr. Bill Curran are investigating more efficient pokeweed management strategies through a research project supported through the soybean checkoff by the Pennsylvania Soybean Board.
Growers who have a problem with pokeweed on their farm and who are willing to work with the researchers in this important study are encouraged to contact Kelly Patches at pokeweed@psu.edu.
Pokeweed populations seem to be on the rise in recent years in Pennsylvania field crops, says Patches. “There may be several reasons for this including the increase in reduced- and no-till production practices. The main goal of our research is to learn more about the biology of pokeweed and how it behaves so we can better time control tactics.”
About the Pennsylvania Soybean Board
The Pennsylvania Soybean Board is a farmer-controlled Board responsible for managing Pennsylvania’s share of funds received from the nationwide Soybean Checkoff program. The funding is available under an assessment program, approved by Congress in 1990, under which soybean farmers contribute 50 cents of every $100 they receive for their beans at the first point of sale. Funds are used to develop markets, educate consumers, and research new ways to utilize and produce soybeans more efficiently.
The efforts of the checkoff are directed by the United Soybean Board, composed of 69 volunteer farmer-leaders who are appointed to the national board by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
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