Palmer Amaranth in Strawberry Plantings
Return to Weeds
Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is an extremely competitive invasive annual weed that is highly adaptive. One plant can produce up to 500,000 seeds that may remain viable in soils for 5 years. Under ideal conditions, amaranth can set seed as early as 4 weeks after germination. Petioles on older leaves are as long as or longer than leaf blades; this differentiates it from other amaranth species. Some plants have distinct patterns on leaves.
Palmer amaranth.
(Photo: Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)
Palmer amaranth.
(Photo: Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org)
Management:
- Cultivate when plants are small.
- Apply a combination of pre- and post-emergent herbicides.
- Use contact herbicides before plants reach 4 inches in height.