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Some of the common myths about weeds and weed control are
debunked. Please forward your contributions to Eric Gustafson
(info@wssa.net).
WSSA Journals Myth: Spraying herbicides eventually results in “super weeds.”

Reality: Most resistant weeds have no growth or fitness advantage, and weeds resistant to herbicides with

certain modes of action are sometimes less fit.

Invasive Plant Weed Science Weed

Adapted from myth submitted by Stephen Duke, USDA Agricultural Research Service:
Science and Technology
Management
Charles Darwin could have predicted that the continued use of a single herbicide or herbicide class would

eventually result in the evolution of resistant weeds. There are many real-world examples that show his theory
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of evolution in action. But, resistant weeds are not “super weeds.” They usually have only one mutated gene
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promote Weed Science that confers resistance to the herbicide that was the selection agent. The mutation does not give the weed an

advantage in the absence of the herbicide. In fact, in some cases it puts the weed at a slight disadvantage to
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the non-resistant weeds of the same species.

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Myth: New herbicide trait technology is going to result in older, harsher chemicals being used as a substitute
contribution.
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Reality: ALL herbicides – old and new – satisfy the same health, safety and environmental criteria.

Adapted from myth submitted by John Jachetta, Dow AgroSciences:

A lot of people like glyphosate. That’s why it has been used exclusively for so long, and why in some areas

we’re now seeing glyphosate-resistant weeds. Clearly, we can’t keep using glyphosate alone season after

season without creating a serious problem for food production.

If people like glyphosate, the surest way to preserve its effectiveness long-term is to bring in other herbicide

modes of action (the physiological mechanism by which an herbicide acts upon a plant) to support it. Weeds

facing several modes of action will have to try to develop resistance to each of these products. In essence it

forces the weeds to win the lottery multiple times in order to survive and stacks the odds against them.

These complementary herbicides used with glyphosate are not “harsher.” They have met the same stringent

U.S. regulatory standards and have been through the same thorough health, safety and environmental

evaluations as glyphosate. In fact, U.S. EPA is prohibited by federal law from authorizing any herbicide for any

food-related use unless scientific evidence shows “a reasonably certainty of no harm.” Regulators must also

determine based on the best available scientific evidence that use will not pose “unreasonable adverse”

environmental effects.

Using glyphosate with other herbicides having different modes of action is clearly the responsible choice.

Myth: We’ll always be able to spray our way out of any weed problem.

Reality: Integrated techniques are essential to successful weed management.

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 Adapted from myth submitted by Adam Davis, USDA Agricultural
Research Service:
Over the past 60 years, weed scientists have been very successful in
developing new herbicide chemistries to control weeds in a variety of
crops and growing situations. But relying solely upon herbicides for weed
management is not a panacea.First, the herbicide discovery “pipeline” is
not inexhaustible. Herbicide registrations have declined substantially
over the past 20 years due to regulatory constraints, the cost of product
development and the genuine scarcity of novel chemistries. Second, less
than 20 herbicide modes of action (the physiological mechanism by
which an herbicide acts upon a plant) have been found, with the most
recent discovery made almost two decades ago. Finally, excessive
reliance upon a single mode of action can cause resistance and reduce
herbicide effectiveness.

The widespread adoption of herbicide-resistant crop cultivars has

intensified the problem, with cross-resistance and multiple resistance
becoming more common. Successful long-term weed management will
depend upon the adoption of integrated weed management practices
that balance chemical, physical, biological and cultural control methods
to preserve the usefulness of herbicides for generations to come.

Myth: Organically-grown fruits and vegetables contain no pesticides.

Reality: You will find pesticides in ALL crops – even those grown organically.

Adapted from myth submitted by Carol Somody, Syngenta Crop Protection:

All fruits and vegetables contain natural pesticides, which is nature’s way of protecting them from pests. In

fact, our daily consumption of natural pesticides is estimated to outweigh the traces of synthetic pesticides in

our food by as much as 10,000:1. If these natural pesticides were tested the same way that synthetic

pesticides are (at the maximum tolerated dose), many would cause serious effects on test organisms.

Both conventional and organic growers often use pesticides beyond those naturally present in plants. The

organic grower, though, has a much more restricted list of choices, including copper, sulfur and other

pesticides found naturally in the environment. But that does not mean these naturally occurring products are

“safer” than synthetic pesticides. For example, copper is considered a natural pesticide, but it can be

dangerous to apply, can buildup in the environment, and can be very toxic to fish and aquatic organisms. Yet,

organic growers can use it and still comply with organic growing guidelines. Many synthetic pesticides

prohibited in organic growing systems have lesser safety concerns than copper. The words “natural” and

“synthetic” do not mean that something is “safe” or “not safe.” Any pesticide, whether synthetic or natural, must

be applied exactly as directed on the label. Use all appropriate stewardship practices and don’t be

complacent.

Myth: It is best to control dandelions in the spring when they flower.

Reality: If you live in a climate where dandelions go dormant during the winter, they are best controlled in the

fall before they flower the following year.

Adapted from myth submitted by Aaron Patton, Purdue University:

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 Extension personnel get many questions in the spring from individuals who want to limit the spread of

dandelions by spraying, picking or hand pulling the weed from their lawn. Count the millions of dandelions

along the roadsides, farm fields, parks and right-of-ways, though, and you will know it’s a futile task. Each

plant can produce hundreds of viable seeds that are easily spread. Controlling the few dandelions on your

property will not significantly affect the broader seed source. Instead, concentrate on maintaining the thickest

turf possible in order to prevent dandelion from germinating and getting established in the first place.

If you decide herbicides are necessary to manage dandelions and other broadleaf weeds that germinate in the

fall, you’ll have the best control if you apply them in fall. The period from late September to mid-November is

ideal because broadleaf weeds are most susceptible to herbicides at this time. Read and follow all directions

on the herbicide label. Apply on a sunny day with moderate temperatures, no wind, ample soil moisture and no

rain in the 24-hour forecast. Herbicides containing two or more active ingredients including 2,4-D, MCPP,

MCPA, dicamba, or triclopyr will control most broadleaf weeds with one application. Consider spot-spraying

the weeds to limit the amount of pesticide you apply. Many “weed and feed” products should be applied in mid-

to late-September to receive the full benefit of the fertilizer and the most efficacious weed control.

Myth: Transgenes are running “wild.”

Reality: Transgenes are not threatening our natural ecosystems.Adapted from myth submitted by Jonathan

Gressel, Weizmann Institute of Science:

Genetically modified or “transgenic” herbicide-resistant crops have become common. One concern raised by

some has been that these crops can escape into the wild and threaten our natural ecosystems. Transgenic

oilseed rape was found along field borders and roadsides in the Canadian prairie provinces as early as 2005.

A U.S. group scouted North-Dakota highways years later and also found transgenic rape, but, again, the

plants were growing in a “ruderal” setting (disturbed by man), not in the wild, and there is a big difference.

A transgenic plant would need a selective advantage to survive in the wild, but instead it has been bred with

“wimpy” domesticated genes. The herbicide resistance trait created in the lab may help transgenic plants

survive along roadways, railways and other herbicide-treated “ruderal” ecosystems, but it provides no

advantage at all in the wild where herbicides are rarely used. In those undisturbed natural settings, the

transgenic plants must compete head-to-head with stronger native species. The odds of them “running wild”

are slim.

Weeds Publications Society Meetings Links

Weed Identification Newsletters Information 2019 Annual Meeting WSSA Affiliated Weed
Composite List of Weeds Newsletter Archive Directories Previous Annual Meetings Science Societies
Herbicide Resistance WSSA Book Store EPA Liaison Meeting Abstracts Weed Science Orgs
Biological Control Science Policy Board / Business Meetings Non-profit Orgs
Herbicides WSSA NIFA Fellow Calendar of Meetings University Weed
Education Student Resources WSSA Awards Science
Invasive Plants Jobs Government
Milkweeds Press Room
Poisonous Plants Awards
Allergies Funding and Grants
Garden Weeds Book Store
Myths on Weed Control Committees
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©Copyright 2018, Weed Science Society of America. All rights reserved.

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