Weed Life Cycles
- Liz
- May 15, 2015
- 2 min read
Weeds are one of the many challenges farmers face every year. Weeds are split into two categories, Grass/Grass-Like Weeds and Broadleaf Weeds. Weeds typically fall into three life cycles classifications, Annuals, Biennials, or Perennials. Some weeds can be classified into more than one life cycle.
Annuals
Complete their life cycle in one year
Reproduce by seeds
Typically a problem in no-till fields
There are summer and winter annual weeds
Most easily controlled during the seedling stage
More difficult to control as they grow and mature
Biennials
Require two years to complete their life cycle
Reproduce by seeds
Typically problem in no-till fields and pastures
Some biennials can act like an annual
Chemical control is most effective applied to the seedling or during the rosette stage
Perennials
Live multiple years
Reproduce vegatatively and/or by seeds
Typically problem in no-till, pastures, roadsides, and (occasionally) tilled fields
Two classes
Simple
Have taproots
Reproduce by seed
Creeping
Reproduce by seed and vegetativley
Tillage breaks vegetative structures into pieces that can regenerate into new plants
Perennials may require a combination of management practices to maintain some control
Herbicide application may be the most effective
Easiest to control as seedlings
Why try to control weeds?
Weeds can cause yield loss and revenue loss if they are not managed properly. Other things to consider:
Increase crop production and processing cost
Increase equipment wear, tear and fuel costs
Increase seed cleaning costs
Reduce product/crop quality
Add to the amount of water and nutrients required for crop production
Act as alternate hosts for insects and diseases
Decrease land values
Affect human and animal health (allergies, poisonings)
Decrease water quality and damage watersheds and systems
Displace native, threatened and endangered species (both plant, animal, insects)
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