PEST - WEEDS

What is a Weed?

• Plants growing where they are are unwanted
• Vary in appearance
• Meet qualifications to fit in plant kingdom
• Examples- dandelions, purple loosestrife, thistles

Lifecycle

• Seeds- spread (various forms)
• Small Plants- few leaves, small or short
• Grow vegetatively
• Some grow flowers
• Produces seeds or offspring to spread

Signs of Weeds

• Leaves that don't fit in
• Crowding in area
• Smaller unusual plants

Infestation in Trees

• Clinging Plants
• Arial Roots
• Vines on trunks of trees

Infestation in Row Crops

• Bare ground covered with sprouts
• Crops appear to lack nutrients
• Stunted growth in crops

Infestation in Flowering Plants

• Combo of row crops and trees
• Arial Roots on stems
• Stunted growth
• Lack color and luster
• Ground area has unwanted items

MINOR INFESTATION

BAD INFESTATION

Biological Control

• Planting wanted plants
• Create wanted competions
• Introduce insects that feed on weeds

Mechanical/ Physical Control

• Use manual labor to pull weeds
• Be sure to pull at all stages
• Collect seeds so they can not spread

Cultural Control

• Create a drought or flood
• Tilling soil
• Plan irrigation
• Temperature adjustments if possible

Genetic Control

• Plant Round up Ready Crops

Chemical Control

• Using selective herbicide
• WARNING- know what you can kill