Pigweed is one of the most aggressive weeds that farmers battle.
Justin Ballew, ©2023, Clemson Extension
This is a pigweed seedling that came up in a field that was disked recently. Pigweed, also known as Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), is one of the most aggressive weeds that farmers battle. They are able to germinate and grow quickly in poor field conditions, outcompeting crops for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Pigweeds also produce incredible amounts of seed (a single female Palmer amaranth can produce several hundred thousand seeds). Fast growth and prolific reproduction allow pigweed to quickly develop resistance to herbicides when relied on too heavily and not rotated properly.
