{"id":48,"date":"2009-10-07T15:41:00","date_gmt":"2009-10-07T19:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/wordpress\/?p=48"},"modified":"2009-10-08T00:12:27","modified_gmt":"2009-10-08T04:12:27","slug":"misuse-of-herbicides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=48","title":{"rendered":"(Mis)Use of Herbicides"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ran across this story today from ABC News<\/a>\u00a0it is all about pigweed and their new resistance to herbicides.\u00a0\u00a0Pigweed is a fairly common weed across most US, particularly southern, farmland.\u00a0\u00a0The only problem is it has now developed resistance to the herbicide traditionally used to kill it.<\/p>\n

To hit the high points, resistance-all resistance, happens when an organism comes into contact with something that does not kill it completely.\u00a0 That is why your doctor always tells you to take all ten days of your anti-biotic, for example.\u00a0 In this case, let’s say you have 100 weeds in the field,\u00a0 they all get sprayed either completely or partially.\u00a0 Let’s assume that the farmer got a good kill and 98 of the 100 plants died.\u00a0 The two that survived – either due to incomplete spraying or genetic mutation – now are able to cross polinate and reproduce seed.\u00a0 That seed now carries the trait for resistance.\u00a0 As more of these plants grow and survive year to year, the numbr increases until all you have left are the survivors; those with the naturally selected genetic trait for resistance.<\/p>\n

So, why am I talking about a farm problem on a L&G blog.\u00a0 For this reason; you are\u00a0prone to the same potential problems.\u00a0 Resistance can develop to insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides in your lawn and garden and in a relatively short amount of time you will have bug, weed, and disease problems that you can no longer control.<\/p>\n

So, what can YOU do?\u00a0 Well, here are a few easy steps to decrease the liklihood of raising your own super-pests in your garden and lawn:\"100_1849\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Follow directions completely.<\/strong>\u00a0 Don’t assume that you can or should cut back on the rate to save a few $$.\u00a0 If the plant is exposed but not killed, you have laid the groundwork for resistance.\u00a0 Don’t put more\u00a0chemical in the tank\u00a0than is called for, the overspray can linger in the environment and again, give a little exposure in a diluted state and foster resitance.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Change up your strategy.<\/strong>\u00a0 Whne possible use different chemistries to combat the same problem seasonally (or even within a season when you can).\u00a0 This will keep the pests guessing and keep them from building defenses to any one particular chemical. Additionally, use the mildest herbicide possible for adequaqte control.\u00a0 For example, don’t use a total-kill prodcut when a little 2, 4D will do the job.\u00a0 that will leave the big boys for particularly troublesome pests.<\/p>\n

3. Let some weeds survive in areas where their removal is not critical or manually remove them.<\/strong>\u00a0 This will keep the susceptibility gene alive and well in the genepool.\u00a0 The resistance gene will start off as a mutation, and be selected against in the breeding process in the early stages.\u00a0 By leaving these surviors you will keep the population as a whole susceptible.<\/p>\n

4. Make sure that the weather is suitable.<\/strong>\u00a0 Wind can cause drift – blowing the herbicide where you do not want it to be.\u00a0 This can kill or injure plants that you did not intend but also can give low doses to others who then become survivors.\u00a0 Rain and temperatures can affect how efficiently different chemicals work.\u00a0 If the weather isn’t right (consult your garden center or the chemical label) you will not get complete results again, giving rise to survivors.<\/p>\n

Chemicals can have benefits for use in lawn and garden settings.\u00a0 However the misuse of these products can have long-lasting results for you, your gardening dreams, and for the over all environment.\u00a0 Responsible use should be of utmost importance for those who seek to use chemical alternatives in their gardening practices.<\/p>\n

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Ran across this story today from ABC News\u00a0it is all about pigweed and their new resistance to herbicides.\u00a0\u00a0Pigweed is a fairly common weed across most US, particularly southern, farmland.\u00a0\u00a0The only problem is it has now developed resistance to the herbicide traditionally used to kill it. To hit the high points, resistance-all resistance, happens when an […]<\/p>\n

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