Collaborating to Solve Problems Through DNA Analysis: Happy Hour With Zack Bateston & Joe Ikley

Show Notes

More on NAGC testing for Kochia: https://genotypingcenter.com/product/kochia/

In this conversation, Kyle & Jason interview Joe Ikley and Zach Bateson about herbicide resistance testing in weeds. They discuss the work being done at the National Agricultural Genotyping Center (NAGC) in Fargo, North Dakota, and the importance of collaboration between different entities in the agricultural industry. They also talk about the process of testing for herbicide resistance, including target site mutations and non-target site mechanisms. The conversation highlights the need for accurate and timely testing services to help farmers and agronomists make informed decisions about weed management. In this part of the conversation, Zack and Joe discuss the process of collecting and testing weed samples for herbicide resistance. They talk about the importance of receiving a large number of samples to generate data and identify new target site genes. They also mention a project they worked on to test pigweed samples for resistance to different herbicides. Zack explains the high throughput capabilities of their lab and the need for blinded testing. They also discuss the process of collecting and sending in samples for testing, including the availability of free testing for North Dakota residents and the ability to test samples from outside the state for a fee. The conversation explores the importance of proactive detection and management of herbicide resistance in weeds. The speakers discuss the limitations of relying on a single tool for weed management and emphasize the need for preventative detection methods. They highlight the challenges of testing soil samples for pathogens and the importance of targeted soil collection. The conversation then shifts to the discovery of group 14 herbicide resistance in kosher and the collaborative efforts to study and understand this resistance. The speakers stress the importance of diagnostic testing and the need for multi-pronged approaches to weed management.