Weed Management Priorities in Specialty Seed Production of the Pacific Northwest

Vegetable specialty seed production is an important cropping system of the Pacific Northwest. Production requires low acreage for high value and a diverse list of seed crops. A survey was conducted on specialty seed crop practitioners, including producers, crop advisors, seed industry representatives, and researchers to understand the current weed management challenges. Respondents were from the Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, USA, and the Skagit Valley of Washington State, USA. Brassica crops, spinach, and radish seed were listed as the crops with the most weed management challenges; however, a diverse list of horticultural and vegetable crops for seed were listed, demonstrating the diversity of production in the region. Many common agricultural weeds were listed as challenging to manage. Most notably shepherd’s purse and weedy Brassicaceae species were the weed species practitioners listed most frequently. Herbicides continue to be an important tool for weed management, and more than 90% of respondents prioritize herbicide research. Future research should improve efficacy and reduce crop injury from herbicide use while exploring new alternative herbicides. Herbicide resistance is also a concern that is directly and indirectly affecting specialty seed crops, due to either a lack of resources to monitor resistant weeds or crop rotations with agronomic crops. Practitioners are interested in nonchemical alternatives; however, there is a lack of research on the effect of cultural practices on weed management and on new weed control technologies in specialty seed crop production.