Skip to Content

Projects & Results

2017 Alberta Weed Survey

Project Details

Lead Researcher(s)

Julia Leeson

Co-Researcher(s)

Linda Hall, Chris Neese, Breanne Tidemann, Neil Harker

Funding Partners

Alberta Pulse Growers, Alberta Wheat, WGRF

February 2017 - February 2019

Complete

The Challenge

The last Alberta general weed survey was conducted in 2010.

The Project

Update the abundance, distribution and changes of weed species in major annual crops across Alberta. Herbicide-resistant weeds will also be surveyed to asses their populations and strategies moving forward.

The Results

142 weed species were identified in 1232 fields of wheat, barley, durum, oat, canola, lentil or pea crops surveyed in Alberta. The most abundant weeds of the province were found to be chickweed, wild buckeat, lamb;s-quarters and volunteer canola. Weed ranking differed by crop and region. Most weed species have not decreased in frequency over time. 59% of surveyed fields showed herbicide resistant weeds, with Group 1 resistant wild oats being the most common.

Grower Benefits

By identifying shifts in weed species and herbicide resistant biotypes, growers can develop ecologically and economically sustainable strategies in weed management.

Keywords:

Survey