How to Combat Caruru?

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) represents a serious threat to Brazilian crops. Originally from the southwestern United States and Mexico, it was identified in Brazil in the 2014/2015 harvest, in Mato Grosso, and more recently in Mato Grosso do Sul. According to Professor Anderson Cavenaghi, from Univag, it is a highly aggressive plant, capable of growing up to four centimeters per day and producing up to 600,000 seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for up to 18 years. This invasive species already affects soybean, corn, and cotton crops, potentially causing losses of up to 91% in corn, 79% in soybeans, and 77% in cotton, according to international studies. Its resistance to glyphosate and ALS inhibitor herbicides makes control even more challenging. Therefore, experts recommend adopting integrated management, combining agricultural pesticides, cover crops, manual control, and preventive practices. Among the fundamental actions are the use of pre- and post-emergent ...