Palmer amaranth was confirmed in Barnes and Cass Counties in North Dakota this past week. A crop specialist noticed some suspect plants in a Barnes County field and notified the landowner. The landowner worked with a North Dakota State University Extension specialist, who submitted samples for DNA analysis to the National Agricultural Genotyping Center, where it was confirmed as Palmer amaranth. In the Cass County case, a NDSU Extension specialist found it within the city of Fargo, and it was confirmed in the same way.
Palmer amaranth is native to the southwestern U.S. but was accidentally introduced to other areas and has devastated crops in the South and Midwest. It is a prolific seed producer that can emerge throughout the growing season. It grows rapidly at 2-3 inches per day in optimum conditions and is prone to herbicide resistance and multiple modes of action. It is a highly invasive weed that can dramatically cut crop yields.
These are the third and fourth findings this year, with the other findings being in Benson and Stutsman counties. Additional information on palmer amaranth and other noxious weeds are available here. To report a suspect plant, go to https://www.nd.gov/ndda/pa or contact your local county weed officer or North Dakota State University Extension agent.
