When it comes to weeds, your local farmer might find it difficult to say anything positive. Notorious for being stubborn and unwanted, particularly when growing crops, these invasive plants have long sent scientists and farmers on a search for an environmentally friendly way to control them. That’s what drives Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)’s new weed scientist in British Columbia (B.C.), Dr. Jichul Bae, as he works to stem the spread.
Getting into the weeds
Dr. Jichul Bae setting up a field experiment
Since his undergraduate days, Jichul’s interest in weeds has grown…well, like a weed.
In fact, it was one particularly engaging university class that left a lasting impact: “A plant biology professor changed my life,” he recalls. “My fascination with invasive plant species started in her class.”
Because unlike most biology students, Jichul saw weeds as a puzzle instead of a problem. He wanted to learn more about their anatomy and figure out why they spread so quickly. And during his Ph.D at Montreal’s McGill University, he soon found that it would be much further west that would have a need for his growing expertise.
Western weed worries
Though it’s famed for picturesque mountains and scenic coastlines, like everywhere else, B.C. has its fair share of weeds. For years, the province has adapted guidelines from the Pacific Northwest, Ontario, and Quebec in hopes of reducing the spread of weeds; however, over the last few decades, the province has needed tailored strategies to treat their unique weed problems. B.C.’s climate is very specific, as are its weeds, so this “one size fits all” approach wasn’t going to be sustainable in keeping them at bay.
For example, herbicide resistance, which is a plant’s ability to survive a substance designed to kill it, is becoming a major problem for weed science in B.C. The province has lacked specific herbicide resistance testing services focused on B.C.-specific weeds. Without proper testing, finding environmentally conscious ways to remove weeds is difficult for growers and farmers in the province.
What is weed science?
A weed is generally known as any plant that is growing where it is not wanted. For a farmer, this could be anything other than the intended crops on their farm. Weeds can harm crops by hiding them from pollinators, competing for nutrients and space, attracting pests and diseases and more. Weed science seeks to reduce these effects by identifying and implementing effective management strategies.
And these weeds were costing money: “In Canada, weeds alone cause about $528 million in crop yield loss annually, making them one of the most expensive pests in agriculture,” Jichul explains. While efforts to research invasive plant species have been underway in sectors such as forestry and rail, agricultural settings have received less attention.
Jichul wanted to change that. His awareness of the need for homegrown weed solutions in B.C. brought him to AAFC’s Agassiz Research and Development Centre in 2017. Upon his start, he made testing herbicide resistance his priority, wanting to change the face of weed science in the province and give growers a new, updated source of information for future reference.
Without a doubt, Jichul certainly had his work cut out for him. He envisioned having a team dedicated to understanding the life cycle of weeds and how to stop them. But Jichul was anything but a small dog in the tall weeds, and his passion for the pesky plants pushed him onwards.
Strides in reducing herbicides
Experimental plots where different types of weed control practices are tested
In collaboration with local universities and fellow AAFC scientists, Jichul put together a team, and they set up a new laboratory in the fall of 2020 for testing weeds. To asses herbicide resistance, they collect samples of weeds, such as seeds and leaves, and exposed the plant to different herbicides. The goal is to test whether the plants survive or die after exposure, which can indicate a resistance or susceptibility to the herbicide. Sometimes, they even get down to the DNA to see if there are any mutations or resistant genes on a molecular level.
Once it’s evident that a plant or a group of herbicides has a resistance, Jichul and his team share this information with growers and offer advice and tools on alternative weed management strategies. He works closely with local communities to identify their needs and help them directly by learning more about their specific woes with weeds.
Two members of Jichul’s team apply herbicide to evaluate herbicide efficacy in cranberry fields
The long and weedy road is still incomplete, but Jichul and his team are proud to be better equipped to learn more about B.C.’s weeds. Every day, they challenge the status quo, giving growers and producers safe, environmentally friendly alternatives for whacking the weeds. “The lack of awareness on herbicide resistance results in the unnecessary application of herbicides over and over again,” Jichul explains. “Which results in greater economic and environmental expenses."
As Jichul advances his research, he hopes he can provide growers with the management tools and strategies best suited to B.C.’s cropping systems. Ultimately, he wants to give farmers a competitive advantage in both local and global markets. And maybe, just maybe, finally get them out of the weeds.
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