Project Overview

Reports

Commodities

• Agronomic: corn, soybeans

Target Pests

Practices

• Pest Management: chemical control, competition, cultural control, modeling, monitoring/scouting, pesticide application timing, pesticide resistance management, prevention, weed ecology

Asian copperleaf is an emerging invasive broadleaf weed that poses an immediate and rapidly escalating threat to agricultural production, IPM implementation, and regional biosecurity in the North Central region. Stakeholders, including farmers, crop advisors, and university extension personnel, have identified the need for coordinated detection, mapping, management guidance, and rapid response capacity as a top invasive-weed priority for Iowa and neighboring states. Currently, no regional IPM framework exists to identify, monitor, or manage this species, leaving stakeholders without the information or tools necessary to act proactively.

In a 2012 USDA Risk Analysis (USDA, 2012), Asian copperleaf was classified as a high-risk invasive weed species. Although the species exhibited no strong invasive or weedy traits at that time, it was categorized as high risk due to considerable uncertainty about its potential spread and impact. Alarmingly, the analysis projected that Asian copperleaf could occupy up to 75% of the U.S. territory, underscoring a significant national-level vulnerability. Compounding this risk, previous studies indicated that Asian copperleaf have natural tolerance to several herbicides. In an unpublished screening conducted at Iowa State University, only 2 of 6 herbicide modes of action achieved more than 90% control. Corn herbicides atrazine and mesotrione, widely used in Iowa, controlled Asian copperleaf by <50%, potentially indicating weaknesses in existing weed management programs.

Farmers, crop advisors, and applicators in the North Central region have expressed concern about the lack of validated herbicide efficacy data, management guidelines, and scouting protocols for this species. Initial observations suggest this species may behave similarly to waterhemp, with a prolonged emergence period and successful seed production even in competitive crop environments. Moreover, farmers managing this species regularly report successful waterhemp control and find scattered, dense Asian copperleaf populations still surviving at crop harvest. Without immediate, coordinated action, Asian copperleaf could become one of the most damaging invasive weed species threatening U.S. agriculture in the coming decade. This species poses a direct threat to North Central cropping systems and, in turn, to food security, environmental resources, and the long-term stability of regional IPM programs.

This project directly supports two NCIPMC Signature Programs: (1) ensuring food security by preparing for pest resistance and invasive species, and (2) protecting cropping systems, human and animal health, and environmental resources with IPM. The proposed work will support thedevelopment of early detection tools, strengthen diagnostic and mapping infrastructure, facilitate cross-state information exchange, and provide educational material to train stakeholders across the region. By increasing capacity for rapid identification and science-based decision-making, this project will enhance regional IPM infrastructure, support coordinated multi-state response, and increase adoption of IPM practices by farmers, crop advisors, and land managers throughout the North Central region.

Objective 1 - Survey the current distribution and assess the potential range of Asian copperleaf across Northern Iowa

Objective 2 – Investigating Biological Characteristics of and Management Options for Asian copperleaf

Objective 3 – Data Integration and Management Framework Development