How Superweeds Grow

Superweeds Discussion
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Superweeds have risen primarily due to the overutilization of a single herbicide tailored to ease weed control in fields with genetically engineered crops that resist them. This has also allowed these rare weeds with inherently happening resistance genes to develop offspring. For instance, while glyphosate kills weeds that lack resistance genes, it allows the flourishing and spreading of superweeds. Whereas pesticide resistance is well-established, rapid spread in glyphosate-resistant superweeds is driven by three practices that accelerate resistance problems. These include monoculture, neglect of other innovative weed control measures, and over-dependence on one herbicide. Most weeds prefer some crops over others, and thus, growing vast swaths of a single crop in a place repeatedly allows the weeds to adapt to this crop and thus flourish over time. Overreliance on a single pesticide such as glyphosate makes weeds develop resistance to the particular chemical. Neglecting other weed control measures, such as the use of cover crops, implie...