Scientists Have Finally Agreed on a Definition for Superweeds. So What?

If you look up the term “superweed,” you’ll likely find a definition that includes “herbicide-resistance” and “accidental crossing” of genetically engineered plants and their “wild” counterparts. But, that could be changing, thanks in part to the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA).

With the help of six sister organizations, WSSA announced a definition for “superweeds” this week that doesn’t single out one category of resistance:

Superweed:  Slang used to describe a weed that has evolved characteristics that make it more difficult to manage due to repeated use of the same management tactic. Over-dependence on a single tactic as opposed to using diverse approaches can lead to such adaptations.

What Difference Does it Make?

Achieving scientific consensus on a term, no matter how misused or fabricated at the outset, is the first step in agricultural experts having an snowball’s chance in …Texas… of reaching consumers, sharing facts and countering misinformation. Why? Because we live in a world of Dr. Google — and SEO (search engine optimization) — reigns. Take a moment to Google “GMOs.” What do you see?

If we want science-based information to show up in searches, we need to stop shunning these terms, even if they aren’t ideal.

— Andrew Kniss (@WyoWeeds) April 30, 2015

Defining “superweed” in a factual context by first acknowledging how the term has been used in the vernacular is perhaps a first step in weighing in on other radicalized terms, like factory farm, monoculture, and, dare we say it?, GMO.

Related:

• When Weeds Won’t Die — A series on managing herbicide resistant weeds