Dangerous, Invasive Weed Found In East Windsor

EAST WINDSOR, CT — A dangerous, invasive weed has been discovered in two East Windsor pumpkin patches. The Connecticut Agricultural Experimentation Station found Palmer amaranth, or pigweed, which can be resistant to herbicides and overtake crops.

The highly aggressive weed, usually found in the South, is toxic to livestock as well. Pigweed can dramatically reduce crop yields and experiments are underway to find an herbicide that will kill the weed.

Anyone who suspects that pigweed is on their property should contact Dr. Jatinder Aulakh, assistant weed scientist, by email at Jatinder.Aulakh@ct.gov or call 860-683-4984.