Australia tricks invasive weed into destroying itself with fake crops
Scientists plant soybeans to trigger red witchweed seeds to germinate. But the weed cannot survive on soya roots and dies.
Red witchweed is a parasitic plant. It attaches to crop roots and drains them of water and nutrients.
Australia discovered the invasive weed on six sugarcane farms near Mackay, Queensland, in 2013. Scientists found that soybeans release a chemical that tricks witchweed seeds into germinating.
But soya has roots the weed cannot attach to. Without a host plant, the seedlings quickly die.
Combined with soil fumigation and herbicide treatment, this trap crop strategy reduced the affected area from about 110 hectares to 4.3 hectares. If no new plants emerge, Australia will be the first country to eradicate red witchweed.
It costs millions in losses to grain crops in Africa and the US.
- 110 hectares to 4.3 hectares
- Infestation shrinkage
- Habana, north of Mackay, Queensland
- Discovery location
- 2013
- Year discovered
Why it mattersThis eliminates a devastating agricultural pest without heavy use of chemicals. It uses the weed's own biology against it.
AustraliaProtects Australian grain and cereal crops from a pest that causes multi-million-dollar losses elsewhere, and could prevent quarantine restrictions on farming land.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 d ago
