Growth analysis of Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Abstract

ABSTRACT We hypothesized that common ragweed has rapid growth and development in shoots and roots, which explains its high potential for establishment in the areas, as well as the high regrowth capacity after cutting or application of contact herbicides. This study aims to evaluate the growth of the specie Ambrosia artemisiifolia. The treatments consisted of collection periods of common ragweed plants at fixed intervals of ten days, from 15 to 95 days after emergence (DAE), totaling nine evaluations. In each collection, the aerial part and the roots were evaluated. In the aerial part, stature, leaf area, number of leaves, and dry mass were evaluated. From these data, the absolute growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and leaf weight ratio were calculated. The length, surface area, volume, average diameter, number of root tips, and dry mass were evaluated in the root. The common ragweed plants show rapid growth after emergence, with a similar response in aerial parts and roots. The potential for competition with crops is expressive. Furthermore, due to growth and development characteristics, the potential for regrowth is high and impacts the difficulties in controlling this species. Thus, the authors indicate that control should be carried out within a maximum of 25 days after emergence.

Keywords

• common ragweed
• weed
• competition
• root development