Purdue University Researchers Seek Solutions for Increasing Burcucumber Infestations in Indiana Corn
Purdue University researchers, funded by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, have initiated on-farm research to combat the growing problem of burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus) in Indiana cornfields. This aggressive weed significantly reduces corn grain and silage yields by approximately 20% on average and causes severe lodging, harvest delays, and mechanical interference with equipment. A single burcucumber vine can weigh up to 190 pounds and produce nearly 80,000 seeds, making even low infestations highly detrimental to harvest efficiency and profitability. Current management strategies, primarily designed for early-season control, have proven ineffective against late-emerging burcucumber, which germinates throughout the growing season even in heavily shaded corn canopies. The new research aims to identify effective late-season management options to reduce vegetation, improve harvestability, and limit seed production to decrease the weed seedbank in the soil. This project directly responds to concerns voiced...