The discovery of the invasive plant Amaranthus palmeri, known as giant caruru, in São Paulo has raised alarms among agricultural authorities and farmers due to its potential to cause severe crop losses.
The invasive plant Amaranthus palmeri, commonly referred to as giant caruru, has been identified for the first time in São Paulo state, prompting immediate concern from both agricultural authorities and local farmers. The initial sightings of this invasive species were found in a soybean field in the São José do Rio Preto region, leading to an immediate lockdown of the affected area and emergency measures to eradicate the infestation.
This situation has been classified as a phytosanitary emergency, reflecting the devastating impact that giant caruru could have on local agriculture. Research conducted by Embrapa indicates that this invasive plant can cause losses exceeding 70% in soybean production and even up to 91% in corn crops. Additionally, the giant caruru is particularly alarming as it can grow up to 7 centimeters per day and produce around one million seeds per plant, significantly compounding the threat it poses to farming.
Furthermore, giant caruru has demonstrated a notable resistance to most herbicides currently available on the market, making it exceedingly difficult to control and eradicate. As a result, farmers and authorities in São Paulo are now on high alert, mobilizing resources and strategies to combat this invasive species before it causes irreversible damage to their crops and livelihoods.
