DISEASE & WEED CONTROL A different tool in fighting herbicide resistance RESEARCHERS WANT TO KNOW WHAT CONDITIONS TRIGGER WEED EMERGENCE BY CHRIS KOGER MANAGING EDITOR U niversity of Idaho researchers are using newly acquired equipment to study when temperatures are ideal to kick off the growing cycle of different weeds. The goal is to determine the best time to apply herbicides, and eventually tackle the growing problem of herbicide resistance. The study at the University of Idaho (UI) Kimberly Research and Extension Center in Moscow, Idaho, uses a new thermogradient table, made possible by a grant of about $24,000 from the Pacific Northwest Herbicide Resistance Initiative. The project began in October. Albert Adjesiwor, a UI Extension weed specialist, said the current project is focusing on Italian ryegrass, wild oat and cheatgrass, which are problematic grassy weeds in small grain Italian ryegrass seeds are monitored by University of Idaho researchers to see when they will germinate when subjected to different temperatures by using a thermogradient table. Photo by Chandra Maki. 14 | FEBRUARY 2024