Saskatchewan Pulse Growers invest in weed research

The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers have announced plans to invest $3.67 million in five new weed science research projects.

The program announced Dec. 11 will run for six years, including field seasons from 2025 to 2029, building on the work of previous SPG-funded weed programs.

The research will address developing and adopting effective weed control strategies for pulse crops, building information to support herbicide label expansions and creating recommendations on new herbicide options in pulses — including tank mixes and layering strategies.

Work will also investigate cultural methods to reduce the impact of weeds in pulses, including managing kochia in saline areas, cultural weed control under varying levels of pre-emergence weed control and strategies to reduce the weed seed bank.

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A complete list of projects, including researchers and SPG’s investment:

• Framework for a collaborative Kochia management program in pulses, Dr. Steve Shirtliffe, University of Saskatchewan ($2,470,285).

• Investigating the potential of directed energy (blue light and mid-wave infrared light) as a method of harvest weed seed control on Canadian weeds, Dr. Breanne Tidemann, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Lacombe, Alta. ($92,000).

• Investigating weeds as alternative hosts to root rot disease complex in pulses, Dr. Breanne Tidemann, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Lacombe, Alta. ($276,075).

• Developing robust weed management strategies for pulse and soybean crops by integrating herbicides, cultural strategies, and drone spot spraying, Dr. Dilshan Benaragama, University of Manitoba ($686,000).

• Utilization of crop life cycle diversity and crop diversity to manage herbicide-resistant kochia in pulses, Jessica Enns, Western Applied Research Corporation, Scott, Sask. ($146,503).

“Growers have consistently identified weed control as one of the top issues facing pulse production,” said SPG chair Winston Van Staveren, adding “SPG’s funding keeps weed control at the forefront of research investments and aims to provide growers with more options.”