Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) in agricultural fields of South Brandenburg: using an indicator to monitor infestation and the success of control measures

Abstract

Parts of South Brandenburg are heavily infested with ragweed. Agricultural fields under integrated pest management and ecological farming were monitored 2014-2015. The aim was to assess the performance of chemical and other control measures against ragweed under farming conditions of the region. Number of weeds per m², plant height, and BBCH were recorded. These parameters were ranked and, by way of multiplication, merged into one single value, which can be expressed as degree of a defined intense infestation level. Such approach is considered to be useful to track recuperation efforts and estimate control efficiency by comparing pre and post measure infestation status. The index is applied to results of the 2014 growing season, which is illustrated by some examples.

Keywords

• control measures
• indicator
• ragweed