Research Brief: U of M researchers develop 99.9% accurate genetic test for early detection of Palmer Amaranth

Palmer Amaranth is a high-impact agronomic weed species that has cost the U.S. agriculture industry billions of dollars since its discovery outside of its native range. It now poses a major threat to corn, soybean, and cotton growers across the south and Midwest. The problem is that this particular invasive species is difficult to visibly distinguish from other pigweed species, making identification reliant upon genetic testing.