Success StoryWeed Identification and Diagnosis of Herbicide Related Injury



Weed Identification and Diagnosis of Herbicide Related Injury

Author: Jonathan Green

Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences

Major Program: Integrated Plant Pest Management

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The University of Kentucky Weed Science Herbarium and Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab function to assist county Extension offices with proper identification of weedy plants and to diagnosis crop and plant injury cases.   Undesirable plants growing in grain crops, pasture and hay fields, home landscapes, and other sites are either submitted digitally or mailed to the Herbarium for identification.  In most cases, a specific weed control recommendation is provided back to clientele who submit samples.  Approximately 150 plant specimens each year are mailed to the weed science Herbarium plus over 400 requests direct to me as digital images submitted through Email and text messages.  Digital submissions often allow county ANR agents to obtain an immediate diagnosis, particularly when in the field meeting with a crop producer or home owner troubleshooting a weed management issue. I also interact with the Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab on cases of suspected herbicide injury [approximately 30 cases per year]. In some situations site visits are conducted to assess weed problems, herbicide injury concerns, and to evaluate other weed management problems which are critical to crop management decisions by producers.   Misidentified weed problems or crop injury associated with herbicide exposure can cost producers $20 to $30 per acre, significant crop yield losses, and in some cases the entire production of an impacted field.






Stories by Jonathan Green


Weed Management in Forage Crops

about 6 years ago by Jonathan Green

Weed management issues in pastures, hay fields, and other forage crops continue to be an area of imp... Read More


Targeting Herbicide-Resistant Weeds

about 6 years ago by Jonathan Green

Herbicide resistant weeds have become a significant factor in making weed management decisions for s... Read More


Stories by Plant and Soil Sciences


Industrial Hemp Production in Kentucky

Industrial Hemp Production in Kentucky

about 6 years ago by Thomas Keene

During the 1800s up until the early 1900s and during World War II, Kentucky led the nation in indust... Read More


Establishing and Grazing Native Grasses on Reclaimed MIne Lands in Eastern Kentucky while Monitoring Wildlife Habiatat

Establishing and Grazing Native Grasses on Reclaimed MIne Lands in Eastern Kentucky while Monitoring Wildlife Habiatat

about 6 years ago by Thomas Keene

In order for people in eastern Kentucky to have and maintain economic stability (now that coal produ... Read More