Fundamentals of Weed Science

Fundamentals of Weed Science provides an introduction to the basic principles of weed science for undergraduate courses. It discusses several aspects of weed biology and control, and traces the history of herbicide development. The book begins with an introduction to weeds, covering their definition, characteristics, harmful aspects, and the cost of weed control. This is followed chapters on weed classification, the uses of weeds, weed biology, weed ecology, allelopathy, the significance of plant competition, weed management and control methods, and biological weed control. Later chapters deal with herbicidesthe most important weed control tools and the ones with the greatest potential for untoward effects. Students of weed science must understand herbicides and the factors governing their use as well as the potential for misuse. These chapters discuss chemical weed control, the properties and uses of herbicides, factors affecting herbicide performance, herbicide application, herbicide formulation, ecological impact of herbicides, pesticide registration and legislation, weed management systems, and the future of weed science.

Preface

Chapter 1 Introduction

Literature Cited

Chapter 2 Weeds: The Beginning

I. Definition of the Term "Weed"

II. Characteristics of Weeds

III. Harmful Aspects of Weeds

IV. Cost of Weeds

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 3 Weed Classification

I. Ancestry

II. Type of Plant

III. Habitat

IV. Life History

V. A Note About Names

Things to Think About

Literature

Chapter 4 Ethnobotany: Uses of Weeds

I. Food for Humans

II. Feed for Animals

III. Medical Uses

IV. Agricultural Uses

V. Ornamentals

VI. Insect or Disease Traps

VII. Reduction of Eutrophication

VIII. Other Uses

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 5 Weed Biology: Reproduction and Dispersal

I. Seed Production

II. Seed Dispersal

III. Seed Germination: Dormancy

IV. Vegetative or Asexual Reproduction

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 6 Weed Ecology

I. Human Influences on Weed Ecology

II. The Weed-Crop Ecosystem

III. Environmental Interactions

IV. Fundamental Ecological Concepts

V. Plant Competition

VI. Plant Characteristics and Competitiveness

VII. The Relationship between Weed Density and Crop Yield

VIII. Magnitude of Competitive Loss

IX. Duration of Competition

X. Economic Analysis

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 7 Allelopathy

I. Allelopathic Chemistry

II. Production of Allelochemicals

III. Allelopathy and Weed-Crop Ecology

Things to Think About

Literature

Chapter 8 The Significance of Plant Competition

I. General Considerations

II. Characteristics of Weeds

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 9 Methods of Weed Management and Control

I. Concepts of Prevention, Control, Eradication, and Management

II. Weed Prevention

III. Mechanical Control

IV. Nonmechanical Methods

V. Cultural Weed Control

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 10 Biological Weed Control

I. Introduction

II. Methods of Application

III. Biological Control Agents

IV. Integration of Techniques

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 11 Introduction to Chemical Weed Control

I. History

II. Advantages of Herbicides

III. Disadvantages of Herbicides

IV. Classification of Herbicides

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 12 Properties and Uses of Herbicides

I. Introduction

II. Inhibitors of Respiration and Photosynthesis

III. Inhibitors of Plant Growth

IV. Inhibitors of Biosynthetic Processes

V. Nonspecific Action

VI. Unknown Action

VII. Summary

Things to Think About

Literature Sources

Chapter 13 Herbicides and Plants

I. Factors Affecting Herbicide Performance

II. General Overview

III. Foliar Active Herbicides

IV. Physiology of Herbicides in Plants

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 14 Herbicides and Soil

I. General Overview

II. Soil

III. Factors Affecting Soil-Applied Herbicides

IV. Soil Persistence of Herbicides

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 15 Herbicide Application

I. Introduction

II. The Reason for Calibration

III. Sprayer Calibration

IV. Calibration Problems

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 16 Herbicide Formulation

I. Introduction

II. Types of Herbicide Formulations

Things to Think About

Chapter 17 Herbicides and the Ecosystem

I. Herbicide Performance

II. Ecological Changes

III. Energy Relationships

IV. The Effects of Herbicides on People

V. Herbicide Safety

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Literature Available

Chapter 18 Pesticide Legislation and Registration

I. The Principles of Pesticide Regulation

II. Federal Laws

III. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

IV. The Environmental Protection Agency

V. Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act

VI. Procedural Summary

VII. Tolerance Classes

VIII. The Principles of Pesticide Registration

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 19 Weed Management Systems

I. Introduction

II. A Metaphor for Weed Management

III. The Logical Steps of Weed Management

IV. Weed Management Principles in Six Systems

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Chapter 20 Weed Science: The Future

I. Research Needs

II. Political Considerations

III. Conclusion

Things to Think About

Literature Cited

Appendix A: List of Crops by Common Name

Appendix B: List of Weeds by Common Name

Glossary

Index