Kristen Obeid1, Peter Sikkema2, Christian Willemse2, Nicole Langdon2, David Westerveld 2, Marie-Josée Simard3, Martin Laforest3, David Miville4 and Tammy Jones5
Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus var. rudis) is a relatively new weed in Canadian agriculture cropping systems1. It has been suggested that it was introduced via a combine from the southern United States between the late 1990s and early 2000s in Ontario1 and similarly to Quebec in 2017.
Waterhemp is a small seeded, summer annual, broadleaf weed with many traits which make it particularly troublesome in agriculture2:
Waterhemp can emerge throughout the entire growing season (in Ontario)
One female plant can produce up to 4.8 million seeds3 in a non-competitive environment
Waterhemp is dioecious (male and female plants), which results in vast genetic diversity contributing to rapid herbicide resistance evolution due to obligate outcrossing, unlike most other Amaranthus species1
Waterhemp is extremely difficult to differentiate from other Amaranthus species, especially when small. However, there are a few key differences, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2:
Waterhemp cotyledons are often more egg-shaped than the long, linear cotyledons of other Amaranthus species.
The first true leaves of waterhemp are generally longer and more lance-shaped.
Waterhemp seedlings are hairless with leaves that look waxy or glossy.
Waterhemp stems are hairless.
Table of Contents
Figure 1. Amaranthus species seedlings
Photo credits: P. Smith and C. Shropshire
Waterhemp
Green Pigweed
Redroot Pigweed
Figure 2. Amaranthus species stems.
Photo credit: C. ShropshireWaterhemp_______________Green Pigweed_____________Redroot Pigweed
Figure 3. Waterhemp plant
Photo credit: C. Willemse
An Amaranthus genetic test has been developed to differentiate between 6 species (green pigweed, redroot pigweed, palmer amaranth, smooth pigweed, tumble pigweed and waterhemp), and can be used if identification is uncertain. A pigweed species identification guide has also been developed. Contact kristen.obeid@ontario.ca for either resource.
The first case of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp was discovered in Lambton county in 2014. This population was the first confirmed glyphosate-resistant waterhemp in Canada. Since then, waterhemp has been found in 11 Ontario counties, 7 of which have fields with populations that are 4-way resistant to herbicide groups 2, 5, 9 and 14. In 2019, the genetic test which differentiates Amaranthus species was instrumental in confirming new waterhemp populations in Ontario (25), Manitoba (7) and Quebec (8). Multiple-resistant waterhemp has now been confirmed in vegetable fields in Elgin and Norfolk (Groups 2, 9 & 14) counties.
Figure 4. Waterhemp Resistance and Distribution in Ontario
Label Colour
Herbicide Resistance Groups
ORANGE
2, 9
BLUE
2, 5, 9
GREEN
2, 9, 14
RED
2, 5, 9, 14
Figure 5. Waterhemp Distribution in Canada
Waterhemp has the potential to become one of the most problematic weeds in Canada, as it is in the United States corn belt. It is easily spread to new areas as a contaminant of seed or hay, as a hitchhiker on vehicles or equipment and through natural dispersal by water and wildlife4. Once established, waterhemp will thrive in many agricultural production areas due to its prolific seed production, extended emergence pattern, high genetic diversity and its current documented herbicide resistance to Groups 2, 5, 9 and 14 (Ontario and Quebec) and Groups 2 and 9 (Manitoba).
References
1 Costea, M., Weaver, S.E., and Tardif, F.J. 2005. the biology of invasive alien plants in Canada. 3. Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer var. rudis (Sauer) Costea and Tardif. Can. J. Plant Sci. 85: 507-522.
2 Schryver, M.G., Soltani, N., Hooker, D.C., Tranel, P.J., and Sikkema, P.H. 2017. Glyphosate-resistant Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus var. rudis) in Ontario, Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1057-1067.
3 Hartzler, R.G., Battles, B.A., and Nordby, D. 2004. Effect of common Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) emergence date on growth and fecundity in soybean. Weed Sci. 52L 242-245.
1Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Harrow, ON, Canada
2Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
3Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, Canada
4Laboratoire d’Expertise et de Diagnostic en Phytoprotection, Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec, QC, Canada
5Manitoba Ministry of Agriculture, Carmen, MB, Canada
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution to this work from agronomists, extension personnel, technicians and students. As well as, previous graduate students L. Benoit, B. Hedges and M. Schryver.
Kristen Obeid1, Peter Sikkema2, Christian Willemse2, Nicole Langdon2, David Westerveld 2, Marie-Josée Simard3, Martin Laforest3, David Miville4 and Tammy Jones5
Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus var. rudis) is a relatively new weed in Canadian agriculture cropping systems1. It has been suggested that it was introduced via a combine from the southern United States between the late 1990s and early 2000s in Ontario1 and similarly to Quebec in 2017.
Waterhemp is a small seeded, summer annual, broadleaf weed with many traits which make it particularly troublesome in agriculture2:
Table of Contents
Figure 1. Amaranthus species seedlings
Photo credits: P. Smith and C. Shropshire
Figure 2. Amaranthus species stems.
Photo credit: C. Shropshire
Waterhemp_______________Green Pigweed_____________Redroot Pigweed
Figure 3. Waterhemp plant
Photo credit: C. Willemse
An Amaranthus genetic test has been developed to differentiate between 6 species (green pigweed, redroot pigweed, palmer amaranth, smooth pigweed, tumble pigweed and waterhemp), and can be used if identification is uncertain. A pigweed species identification guide has also been developed. Contact kristen.obeid@ontario.ca for either resource.
The first case of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp was discovered in Lambton county in 2014. This population was the first confirmed glyphosate-resistant waterhemp in Canada. Since then, waterhemp has been found in 11 Ontario counties, 7 of which have fields with populations that are 4-way resistant to herbicide groups 2, 5, 9 and 14. In 2019, the genetic test which differentiates Amaranthus species was instrumental in confirming new waterhemp populations in Ontario (25), Manitoba (7) and Quebec (8). Multiple-resistant waterhemp has now been confirmed in vegetable fields in Elgin and Norfolk (Groups 2, 9 & 14) counties.
Figure 4. Waterhemp Resistance and Distribution in Ontario
Figure 5. Waterhemp Distribution in Canada
Waterhemp has the potential to become one of the most problematic weeds in Canada, as it is in the United States corn belt. It is easily spread to new areas as a contaminant of seed or hay, as a hitchhiker on vehicles or equipment and through natural dispersal by water and wildlife4. Once established, waterhemp will thrive in many agricultural production areas due to its prolific seed production, extended emergence pattern, high genetic diversity and its current documented herbicide resistance to Groups 2, 5, 9 and 14 (Ontario and Quebec) and Groups 2 and 9 (Manitoba).
References
1 Costea, M., Weaver, S.E., and Tardif, F.J. 2005. the biology of invasive alien plants in Canada. 3. Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer var. rudis (Sauer) Costea and Tardif. Can. J. Plant Sci. 85: 507-522.
2 Schryver, M.G., Soltani, N., Hooker, D.C., Tranel, P.J., and Sikkema, P.H. 2017. Glyphosate-resistant Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus var. rudis) in Ontario, Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1057-1067.
3 Hartzler, R.G., Battles, B.A., and Nordby, D. 2004. Effect of common Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) emergence date on growth and fecundity in soybean. Weed Sci. 52L 242-245.
4USDA APHIS Weed Risk Assessment for Amarantus palmeri (Amaranthaceae) – Palmer’s amaranth. 2020. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/weeds/downloads/wra/amaranthus-palmeri.pdf
Authors
1Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Harrow, ON, Canada
2Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
3Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, Canada
4Laboratoire d’Expertise et de Diagnostic en Phytoprotection, Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec, QC, Canada
5Manitoba Ministry of Agriculture, Carmen, MB, Canada
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution to this work from agronomists, extension personnel, technicians and students. As well as, previous graduate students L. Benoit, B. Hedges and M. Schryver.