Considered one of the most invasive plant species in the country, officials are now paying close attention to the weed spread after documenting it in more than 44 counties across the state. A big increase from 15 counties in 2005. 

Why is the Kudzu Spreading Fast Across Indiana?

While Kudzu is not a new weed in Indiana, the spread has been slow over the past 20 years, mostly due to the local four-season climate. The harsh, cold winters, for instance, kill off the young growth before it can take hold and propagate.  

However, the climate is changing, bringing with it milder winters. These warmer conditions allow the invasive weed to grow and thrive across different landscapes.

“We have seen Kudzu doing potentially better in some locations where it wouldn’t have in the past, which has added some more challenges”, said Will Drews, a nursery inspector and compliance officer in the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. 

Why is Kudzu a Concern?

“Kudzu is a great poster child of showing what an invasive plant species has the capability of doing,” Drews has said. 

The weed dominates landscapes, displacing once vibrant and diverse biodiversity into a green monoculture. 

As it spreads, it poses more risks and challenges, such as:

• Ecological harm as it displaces native species and disrupts natural habitats.
• Reduced forest and plant health as the dense vines weaken trees and other vegetation, leading to greater susceptibility to other stresses.
• Increased property maintenance as homeowners battle to keep the weeds from encroaching on structures and damaging desirable trees and shrubs.

However, Indiana officials are hopeful in the fight against the insidious weed. They encourage more adoption of native plants in landscaping to minimize areas where Kudzu can grow and spread. 

In areas with high infestations, it’s imperative that once the weed is removed, the landowners cover the areas with native grasses and forbs, eliminating the chances of Kudzu regrowth.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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A recent example is the widespread failure of clethodim in controlling ryegrass in New South Wales’ canola farms. The post-emergent herbicide has provided reliable control against the stubborn grass weed in canola crop systems for many years. 

In 2025, however, farmers and extension experts noticed increased clethodim failure, particularly in canola crops.

What is Contributing to the Widespread Clethodim Resistance in NSW?

Extension experts have pointed out some key factors that may have led to the massive clethodim resistance.

1. Seasonal Changes

Persisting dry conditions in parts of NSW meant that farmers dry-sowed their canola crops without or with delayed pre-weeding control. Pre-emergent herbicides like propyzamide and trifluralin depend on moist soil conditions for effective uptake. 

The ripple effect was that the farmers relied heavily on in-crop clethodim, increasing selection pressure on ryegrass.

2. High Weed Seedbank Carryover

Previous wet years have also left farmers with a large carryover seed bank. Already struggling with poor weed control using standard clethodim applications, higher ryegrass populations compounded the problem year-to-year.

3. Cold Environmental Conditions

Clethodim works best during warmer temperatures and when the weeds are actively growing. Colder conditions reduce the herbicide’s efficacy, allowing more weeds to survive and giving resistant weeds a bigger advantage to compete with the crop. 

4. Over-Reliance on Clethodim

As one of the few effective herbicides for weed control, farmers have been using clethodim year after year to cater to the tight canola-wheat-canola rotation. 

For this reason, the selection pressure allows resistant populations to increase in prevalence, and clethodim becomes a weak link in the chain.

While farmers have been mixing clethodim with metazachlor or butroxydim to reduce resistance, unfortunately, some ryegrass populations have only gained resistance to the three herbicides.

Practical Approaches to Manage Clethodim Resistance

Agronomy advisors and extension experts recommend the following approaches to minimize the impact of clethodim resistance:

• Diversify herbicide modes of action 

For instance, rotate glyphosate-tolerant canola hybrids with triazine-tolerant and imidazolinone-tolerant hybrids. Using different herbicides spreads pressure across several chemistries, reducing over-reliance on clethodim.

• Mix herbicides and sow early

A combination of mixing and rotating pre-emergent herbicides and sowing early will help reduce the ryegrass seedbank 

• Broaden Crop Rotation

Occasional rotations from the wheat-canola systems can also help reduce weed seed banks. Examples of legumes that can compete with ryegrass include faba beans and field peas. 

Routine double-breaks can also allow alternative weed management tactics, as well as improved soil nitrogen profile, and crop-topping. 

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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Paraquat may be effective in killing weeds, but it is also known for its high toxicity to humans. 

Even small amounts can be fatal if ingested, and long-term exposure has been linked to degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease. For these reasons, over 50 countries have opted to ban its use completely. 

After determining that its health and environmental risks far outweigh its agricultural benefits, many governments globally have placed a full ban on paraquat.

Here is a list of the countries and regions that have implemented full bans on paraquat in the interest of public health and the safety of their citizens.

1. The United Kingdom 

Paraquat has been banned in the UK since 2007. It continues to ban the herbicide following Brexit, maintaining the same strict standards under EU law. 

However, the UK continues to manufacture paraquat and export it to other countries where use is still permitted. 

2. The European Union

A ruling from the European Court of Justice put in effect a ban on paraquat across the European Union for its unacceptable risks to human health. 

3. Switzerland

Ironically, a Swiss-based company developed paraquat for commercial use. However, the country banned it domestically in 1989 due to safety concerns. 

Syngenta, a Basel-based global agritech company, is among the top sellers of the herbicide in the United States and other countries globally under the label Gramoxone. 

4. Brazil 

Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) enforced a national ban on paraquat in 2020, citing evidence of severe risks to agricultural workers. 

Until the ban, Brazil was the largest consumer of paraquat in the world. 

5. Chile

Chile placed a complete ban on paraquat in 2022 after two decades of existing heavy restrictions on the pesticide. 

6. China

China banned the domestic agricultural use of paraquat in 2017. That said, the country purchased the Swiss-based Syngenta, making it a top global producer of paraquat for export.

7. Thailand

After years of rigorous scientific reviews and increased public pressure, Thailand officially banned the use of paraquat in 2020.

8. Vietnam 

In 2017, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development removed paraquat from the list of plant protection chemicals as part of the national effort to eliminate highly toxic chemicals.

9. Other Arabian and Asian Countries

Other Arabian and Asian countries that have banned paraquat include Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Laos, and Cambodia, citing its role in poisoning incidents and public health risks. 

10. West and Central African Countries 

Citing similar severe risks to human health and the environment, several African countries have also implemented full bans. 

They are:

• Chad
• Cape Verde
• Burkina Faso
• Nigeria
• Niger
• Ivory Coast
• Mauritania
• Gambia 
• Mali
• Guinea-Bissau
• Senegal
• Zambia

Future Global Trends in Paraquat Regulation 

After 63 years of existence, paraquat has become one of the most heavily researched and regulated herbicides today. 

As predicted, the list of countries banning the herbicide will continue to grow. The global trend is moving toward stricter regulation and the steady removal of this highly toxic herbicide from the weed control toolbox.

Public health and environmental experts continue to push for more bans in other countries, arguing that the risks far outweigh the benefits. 

As scientific evidence mounts and safer weed control alternatives become accessible, it is expected that pressure for a global paraquat ban will intensify in the coming years.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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If you are not growing them in mushroom kits, you may not walk far on your popular trail before noticing the vivid, yellow-capped golden oyster mushrooms.

While they may be popular for their delicious flavor, mycologists and other environmental experts are concerned that a new invasive species may have been unleashed.  

From Trendy Superfood to Invasive Fungus

Golden oyster mushrooms, native to China and Russia, were brought to North America in the early 2000s as the international mushroom trade boomed and the culinary fad cemented its presence on many household menus. 

These mushrooms, in particular, are popular because they are easy to grow and can adapt to a variety of environmental conditions. 

Initially, they were grown by small-scale urban farmers and in-home mushroom kits, seemingly sealing the loophole of escape beyond these controlled environments.

As most non-native species often do, the mushroom escaped into the wild since 2010 and has since been sighted on trails, parks, and forest areas. 

Felled hardwood logs are a favorite habitat, where they spread rapidly by appearing earlier and growing faster than native species.

 A recent study has found that the mushroom has since spread to 25 middle and northeastern states, displacing native fungal communities. The study has also found that where the GOM dominates an area, native mushroom diversity falls by 50% or more.  

Native mushrooms and other fungi play an important role in breaking down plant and animal matter, enriching the soil for themselves and other organisms. They also assist in carbon sequestration and managing carbon emissions from wood and soil.

With the golden oyster mushrooms already threatening the native species population, experts are also concerned that the invasion will exacerbate habitat destruction and vulnerability to climate change.

Some of the displaced species include the elm oyster, mossy maze polypore, also known as Cerrena unicolor, and Nemania serpens.

Cultivation With Caution: What You Can Do

Mushroom cultivation is considered one of the most successful and sustainable food practices today. 

However, having existed in a regulatory gray area, invasive fungi like GOM have turned from a food craze to an ecological disruptor. 

Mycologists and extension agencies now recommend cultivating native mushrooms, especially outdoors. 

Cultivating the mushrooms indoors can prevent further spread of the invasive fungus.

For commercial GOM sellers, adding a note that the species is invasive will increase awareness on better indoor cultivation and non-composting. 

Increased public education on responsible mushroom cultivation practices can also go a long way in curtailing invasive species and thereby preserving the vital native biodiversity.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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The post How the Golden Oyster Mushroom Craze Unleashed an Invasive Fungus in North America appeared first on InsightWeeds.

While elaborating on this new development in a post on X, Lee Zeldin, an administrator at the agency, said that they were seeking to give Americans radical transparency concerning the herbicide. 

This comes in the wake of new scientific data that raises important questions concerning its standard of safety, according to Zeldin. 

Numerous lawsuits are currently plaguing Syngenta, one of the biggest sellers of the herbicide in the United States. 

Plaintiffs claim exposure to the chemical is the cause of their Parkinson’s diagnosis, a degenerative brain disease that impacts muscle coordination and movement. 

Paraquat’s Reassessment and What It Means for Farmers

Paraquat is commonly used in row crops such as corn, soybean, and cotton and is valued for its rapid weed control and ease of use in no-till and conservation tillage systems. 

For farmers and weed management professionals, the paraquat reassessment announcement raises an important question. 

What does this mean for their day-to-day operations?

For now, farmers are unlikely to see immediate changes as the herbicide remains regulated and the existing rules still apply. 

In the long term, one expected outcome might be maintained access with updated guidance if the EPA concludes the current risk-mitigation measures meet sufficient thresholds. 

Alternatively, revised usage instructions could be released that may affect current spraying application methods.

What Are the Implications for Weed Management Practices?

A paraquat reassessment brings to light a more alarming issue in modern weed management: the shrinking weed control toolbox.

As weed resistance increases and more common herbicides like paraquat face tighter scrutiny, farmers may find themselves relying more on integrated approaches rather than exclusive chemical applications. 

While no one can ascertain whether the reassessment will impact how paraquat fits into the toolbox, shifting weed management practices might become commonplace.

For now, farmers should watch out for EPA updates on the reassessment, as it could shape their weed management options in the years to come. 

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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If you’re wondering whether to lay another heap of bark mulch in your garden again, we may have another solution for you. A groundcover plant, Foamflower, that not only covers these problem areas but also adds color to your garden. 

Foamflower: A Native Groundcover for Keeping Out Weeds

Foamflower, also known as Tiarella cordifolia, is a small, delicate perennial that grows about 12 inches. 

Since the herb naturally thrives in moist forest floors, shade, and semi-shaded areas, it can act as living mulch, helping to cover those bare areas in your garden. 

What’s more, it does not spread aggressively, so you don’t have to worry about the plant overtaking your landscape. Foamflower spreads by stolons (above-ground stems), making it a better alternative to, say, Creeping Jenny. 

You’ll also find that it is happy to share space with other spring bulbs, such as daffodils and other desirable greenery like ferns, providing texture and splendor while keeping the weeds at bay.

Apart from its feathery white inflorescence with a pink tinge that blooms in May and June, Foamflower can also offer some winter color. 

The green leaves turn reddish, giving a beautiful contrast until new growth appears in spring.

Foamflower Ideal Growing Conditions

T. cordifolia thrives in USDA zones 3-8, well-drained soil, requires moderate to moist conditions, and may need watering during the drier weeks of the year. It is generally disease and pest-free and moderately deer-resistant.

While it is not a showy plant, Foamflower will offer a neat cover while helping to keep weeds away. Two strikes for one that makes it a must-try for every gardener. 

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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One such grass that is proving detrimental is the African Lovegrass, also known as Eragrostis curvula. 

It is not only spreading fast, outcompeting native vegetation, but also negatively impacting livelihoods across various parts of Australia.

The Quick Spread of African Lovegrass in Australia

African Lovegrass has been rapidly spreading across several regions for the past 50 years. They include southeastern Queensland, throughout New South Wales and Victoria, and in a few areas in the eastern part of South Australia. 

It is estimated that the grass has overtaken about 150,000 hectares of grazing land in New South Wales. The grass infestation is expected to affect a further 100,000 hectares in the next five years. 

While it typically spreads faster in bare areas, the weed can easily outcompete native grasses growing in neighboring lands. 

The clumpy grass produces a large biomass, eliminating any potential for other plant species to grow alongside it.

Why Is It an Emergency for Ranchers and Farmers?

Ranchers are on the lookout for new grass varieties that can improve their livestock nutrition and overall profits. When it comes to the African Lovegrass, all it brings are losses.

First, the weed is quickly replacing the native grasses that sustain livestock in these regions, leaving ranchers with little to no grazing lands. 

Secondly, it is extremely low in nutrition, and livestock that graze on it require extra by-pass protein supplementation, leading to more feed costs.

Thirdly, the straw-like weed is readily combustible. Due to its high biomass, once it dries up, it can become a deadly fire hazard. 

Since the grass is a weed, it also requires expensive and labour-intensive control programs. 

Ross Sherlock, a merino and beef cattle farmer from Cooma, NSW, spends about $100,000 spot-spraying the weed each year. “It’s not sustainable. There’s got to be another way, or I’ll go broke doing it,” he laments. 

While he takes other strict measures, such as placing animals in quarantine and not moving machinery between properties, he fears it’s a losing battle.

How Can Legislation Help in Eradicating African Lovegrass?

Many of the native grasslands are listed as critically endangered. Farmers are not allowed to conduct widespread spraying of the grass or controlled burning unless the grass affects 50% of the grazing land. 

With limited control options, locals such as Ross are drafting land management plans they hope their local and federal governments will approve before it’s too late. 

The Natural Resource Commission has also been tasked with reviewing the grassland regulations, with recommendations expected at a later date. 

Charles Howard, a trustee at the research farm Coolringdon, believes the farmers can control the grass using the traditional methods, especially if it’s only in a few spots on the land. 

However, he reinforces the need for financial support and legislative changes for long-term and effective control of African Lovegrass. 

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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But not Troy Monaghan. The farmer from Iowa is implementing a strategic two-pass herbicide program that is keeping the stubborn weed in his corn farm at bay throughout the season. 

Let’s learn more.

The Two-Pass Herbicide Program — What Does it Entail?

Before spraying the herbicides, Monagan ensures that the seeds are well matched with each field’s soil type for the best results. 

He then deploys the herbicides as follows:

• A preemergence burndown with nitrogen prior to planting
• A postemergence pass using Resicore REV Herbicide — an advanced premix of three ingredients, mesotrione, clopyralid, and acetochlor (a mixture of glyphosate and atrazine) for extra grass and residual control.

The Two-Pass Herbicide Strategy Benefits 

Monaghan has followed this approach for two years, and the results have been impressive. 

“There was some early weed pressure around the field edges and waterways, but the herbicides cleaned everything up. The fields were spotless after that postemergence pass, he said. 

The herbicide not only controls waterhemp but also provides up to eight weeks of residual control. 

While waterhemp may remain a moving target, Monaghan is happy with the efficiency the current strategy offers. 

The encapsulated acetochlor formulation is easy to mix, saving him time, adds an extra layer of safety for his crops, and also slows down the development of waterhemp resistance. 

In the coming year, Troy is upbeat about using the approach again, as a quick walk-through has cemented the herbicides’ ability to hold strong all season.

“It’s one of the most effective tools we’ve used, and it’s helping us hit our goals for yield potential, labor, and cost per acre.” 

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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The current eradication methods, hand-pulling and benthic mats, are effective in controlling localized populations but have not reduced the overall weed population. 

For large and well-established weed populations as found in Cristina Lake, the two approaches may not yield measurable results.

The Eurasian Watermilfoil Devastation

The weed population has steadily reduced food and habitat for numerous amphibians, fish, and other invertebrates. 

Additionally, the dead plant matter causes oxygen depletion in the lake as microorganisms take up more of the vital gas to break down the material, further straining or killing aquatic species. 

Not to mention interfering with boating, swimming, and fishing.

According to the report, “Without continued intervention, it is probable that EWM will continue to expand until it reaches its ecological carrying capacity within Christina Lake, replacing diverse plant communities with dense mats.”

The Community Weighs in on the Proposed Weed Strategy

Keefer Ecological Services (KES), in collaboration with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), are considering adding the use of a selective aquatic herbicide, ProcellaCOR FX, to manage the weed. 

Residents, First Nations, and the public gave their views on the proposal through public engagement sessions and on an online survey. 

The feedback collected, backed by the best available scientific knowledge will offer insight into the best planning approach while upholding community values and priorities. 

If there is enough support for the use of ProcellaCOR FX, the RKDB will conduct further research on the herbicide efficacy based on Christina Lake’s specific environmental conditions. 

Should the majority of the community disapprove of the strategy, the RKDB will drop the proposal and continue with the current non-chemical methods already in use. 

However, as per the report, they will continue exploring other control techniques as new research and technologies become available.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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Through their Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, all interested groups can apply for funding to combat the species. 

Phragmites Australis — Ontario’s Worst Invasive Weed

Phragmites australis, also known as European Reed, is considered Ontario’s most invasive plant species with an annual impact of about $3.6 billion. 

The perennial weed grows up to 5 metres tall and spreads by seed and rhizomes. It forms dense thickets that impact native biodiversity and increase fire hazards and road safety concerns. 

Due to its aggressive spread and difficulty in removal, it also compounds weed control costs for the affected residents. 

How to Get Grant Funding to Fight Phragmites

The 2026-27 Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, through OPA, is offering grants to multi-partner groups, also known as Phragmites Area Working Groups (PMAWG). 

The fund is targeting projects focusing on Phragmites prevention and control. 

These projects range from $2,500 to $50,000. 

Eligible applicants include indigenous communities, municipalities, conservation authorities, and incorporated non-profit organizations. They are required to fill out an application form to request grant funding for their projects.  

The form should then be submitted before 11:59 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026.

Successful candidates will be notified starting April 1, 2026. 

Through this fund, we’re able to help provide communities with the resources they need to increase their important actions on invasive phragmites,” Colin Sassin, the executive director of the Invasive Species Centre, has said. 

You can refer to the Phragmites Control Fund page for additional information on specific objectives of the grant funding or award terms.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

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