Invasive weed expansion in Argentine agriculture

Agricultural specialists in Argentina are addressing the expansion of invasive weed species that threaten crop yields across various regions.

In Córdoba, experts have warned about the spread of ‘Pasto cubano’ (Tithonia tubaeformis). Originally appearing in Jujuy in 1956 and declared a national pest in 1983, the species has moved from the Northwest into areas like Córdoba. The weed can reach seven meters in height and forms thickets that compete with sugarcane, corn, and beans, with sugarcane trials showing yield losses exceeding 40%. In response, UPL Corp Argentina has introduced a new post-emergent herbicide, Karobiz.

Simultaneously, producers and researchers from Aapresid and INTA are managing the expansion of Borreria spp, which affects nearly 5 million hectares across 103 departments, specifically in northern Córdoba, the NOA, and the NEA regions. Research indicates that Borreria spp is difficult to control due to its ability to regenerate through both seeds and underground structures like rhizomes and xylopodia, a trait that can lead to management errors if mistaken for herbicide resistance.