Controlling weeds in pulse crops in Western Canada

The success of pulse production, primarily lentil and field pea, in western Canada has led to some agronomic challenges. The most immediate being a proliferation of root rot diseases and the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds. In this webinar, Eric Johnson, Research Officer, Weed Control Program at the University of Saskatchewan discusses Canada’s solutions to combat herbicide-resistant weeds with Paul McIntosh, AHRI’s northern extension agronomist.

Four million hectares of pulse crops (lentil, dry pea, soybean, chickpea, fababean) is seeded annually in western Canada every year and contributes over $4 billion dollars to the province of Saskatchewan alone. Pulse crops in western Canada are highly reliant on Group B herbicides for weed control and resistance to these herbicides has evolved in a number of weed species. The most problematic of these Group B resistant weeds in pulse crops include kochia (Bassia scoparia), wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and false cleavers (Galium spurium).

Identification of alternative mechanisms of action, primarily Groups G and K herbicides, and the use of PRE- plus POST- systems have provided solutions for weed control. This webinar will outline the research and will introduce the University of Saskatchewan’s recent work on integrated management of resistant weeds in pulses, led by Drs. Chris Willenborg and Steve Shirtilffe.