Electrical weed control has diverse potential applications to improve weed management programs across North Carolina crops. The Weed Zapper selectively electrocutes weeds that grow over top of crop canopies. Research is needed to determine the optimal use frequency in both organic and conventional production systems in crops including sweetpotato, cucumber, cotton, and peanut. Furthermore, electrical weed management may also have potential applications for control of problematic weed-associated root-knot nematodes such as the guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii).

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is a major weed pest in sweetpotato production in North Carolina. Options for control of Palmer amaranth in sweetpotato are extremely limited; thus, maintenance of existing tools and cultural practices are two important research areas. Research has been conducted on flumioxazin, a currently registered herbicide used on at least 90% of sweetpotato hectarage in North Carolina, in response to grower concerns about effects of herbicide and environmental conditions on root shape and quality. Additionally, research evaluating the impact of in-row spacing of select sweetpotato cultivars including ‘Monaco’ and ‘Covington’ has been conducted to determine the effect of in-row spacing and cultivar on weed control.

Finally, new challenges in weed management are frequently arising in North Carolina. One emerging challenge is the management of alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) in several vegetable and row crops including sweetpotato and peanut. Research will be conducted to evaluate several management options for alligatorweed to improve existing knowledge and better control troublesome populations.