Dr. Karla Gage is Assistant Professor of Weed Science and Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she received her Ph.D. in Plant Biology with a focus in Weed Ecology in 2013. In short, Karla is a weed expert, but not in the weed you smoke, but rather the weeds you pull. Her research focuses on using Integrated Weed Management to control and suppress weeds in midwestern US rotational crops, including corn, soybean, wheat, sorghum, and now hemp. 

During our conversation we discussed: 

• What negative effects weeds can have on hemp 
  
• Which weed species are threatening to hemp 
  
• Herbicides that are approved for hemp and the threat of herbicide resistance 
  
• Integrated weed management strategies, such as, crop rotation, cover crops, and chaff lining, plastic coverings, and more 
  
• How ferral hemp varieties may have traits to help breed more resistant hemp varieties 
  

Thanks to this Episode’s Sponsor: Rare Earth Genomics

Rare Earth Genomics Texas is a partnership formed to accelerate hemp research and produce critical tools for the farmer. REG’s mission is to increase likelihood of a successful harvest through genetic analysis and rigorous environmental testing of vigorous cultivars. Reliable datasets, analytic tools and stable germplasm are core to the program. Success of the farmer is the goal!

Learn more at rareearthgenomics.com