What do turf managers, farmers and weekend gardeners have in common? For one, they all share a strong dislike of weeds. Whether you’re a professional or amateur, nothing can ruin your day like a weed. Worse yet, no matter how you try to control this pesky green invader, it just keeps coming back for more. Fortunately, there is help available to help you get things under control. The University of Tennessee Weed Diagnostics Center (UTWDC) is there to help identify weeds and screen them for herbicide resistance. This initiative, supported by UT AgResearch and UT Extension, provides end-users with diagnostic tests tailored to weeds in a variety of settings.
“Our aim is to provide a broad spectrum of services to both professional and consumer clientele,” said Dr. Jim Brosnan, Associate Professor of Turfgrass Weed Science at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. “Our tests are tailored to weeds of crop production systems as well as turf, ornamentals and urban landscapes,” he said. Brosnan heads up UTWDC and sees it as a valuable service not only in Tennessee but across the United States as well. He says that it’s important to have weeds tested to help keep them under control and then use the diagnostic results to implement optimal management strategies. “All UTWDC test results are complimented with research-based control recommendations to promote proper weed management in the field,” said Brosnan. “We’ll also complement the ongoing disease and plant diagnostic efforts at UTIA’s Soil, Plant and Pest Center in Nashville,” he said.
Employing both whole-plant and molecular methods, specialists at UTWDC provide a wide range of diagnostic services from basic weed identification to herbicide resistance tests using DNA screening. “We’re looking to provide an all-inclusive service for our clients that’s cost-effective and helps them conserve financial and technological resources,” said Brosnan.
More information about UTWDC, including services and pricing can be found online at www.weeddiagnostics.org. You can also follow the center on Twitter (@WeedDiagnostics) and Instagram (@weeddiagnostics).