Both Palmer amaranth and waterhemp can growly very quickly — up to two to three inches a day in optimal conditions -— and they’re also prolific seed producers, which enables them to quickly take over fields if the plants aren’t effectively controlled.
When there’s direct competition with crops, these weeds can produce up to 100,000 seeds per female plant. But that number swells to more than one million when there is no competition.
Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, like all pigweed species, have small seeds, which enable them to be easily transported to new areas through contaminated straw, hay and other animal feed.
Farm equipment like combines can also carry the weed seed a long way. Contaminated cover crop seed and migratory birds can contribute to the spread of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp as well.
