99.9% accurate genetic test for early detection of Palmer Amaranth University of Minnesota Palmer Amaranth is a high-impact agronomic weed species that has cost the United States agriculture industry billions of dollars since its discovery outside of its native range in the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. Over the last 20 years, it has moved further north, and now poses a major threat to corn, soybean, and cotton growers across the south and Midwest regions of the United States. It is not legal to sell any kind of seed in Minnesota if the seed lot contains Palmer Amaranth. The problem is this particular invasive species–which has shown potential to wipe out up to 91% of corn yields, 68% of soybean yields, and 54% of cotton yields– is difficult to visibly distinguish from other pigweed species, making identification reliant upon genetic testing.