Caraga State University

College of Agriculture and Agri-Industries

Km 7 Main Campus Ampayon, Butuan City

Name: Stephanie May L. Lopez-BSA2 Section: ABCDE1

Crop Protection

Laboratory Exercise:
INTRODUCTION TO WEEDS AND IDENTIFICATION
OF COMMON WEEDS IN THE PHILIPPINES

INTRODUCTION

Weeds grow on soil along the with the crop plants. But this growth of weed is not desirable
in the monoculture system. These undesirable plants deplete the nutrients, water and space allotted
for the intended crop, and finally cause huge reduction in crop yield. Weeds, in crop field, reduce
input efficiency, interfere with agricultural operations, impair quality and act as alternate hosts for
several insect pests and diseases. Some weeds release toxic substance which affects the crop
growth. The obvious effect of these traits is the hike in cost of cultivation by several folds. Along
with this, weeds affect and in the management of all the terrestrial and aquatic resources. They
endanger the native biodiversity by choking and deliberate takeover of the native plants. The
animals which depend on this native biodiversity for their survival are also getting affected. On
the other hand, as part of the primary producers within farming systems, weeds also considered as
important components of the agroecosystem.
Weed biology relates to the plant attributes such as morphology, seed dormancy and
germination, physiology of growth, competitive ability and reproductive biology. Knowledge of
weeds biology is essential for development of both economically and environmentally acceptable
weed management systems. It is also essential to understand and predict how weeds species,
populations and biotypes evolve in response to the selection pressure primarily due to agricultural
and related practices. Weed identification is the first step in understanding their biology.
Knowing the weeds that are competing with the desirable crop is important to understand
how to manage their population. It is said that identification is half way control. The first step in
effective weed management is the accurate identification which is turn will help in a basic
understanding of the weed life cycle. Correct identification can be an important step in making
sure that new weeds can be eradicated before they became established. Identification is important
also with respect to the timing of the herbicide application. Sometimes correct identification can
indicate that no action needs to be taken if the identified plant is not a troublesome weed and also
helps in protecting the weeds of economic importance and conserving the biodiversity. Weeds
identification may form the first step in balancing the needs for weed control with the requirements
for biodiversity and more sustainable production methods.
OBJECTIVES

 To weeds and its difference from other plant;

 to identify the common cropland weeds in the Philippines and its classification according
to life duration, habitat and morphological characteristics;
 to know the effects of weeds in the agricultural biomes and on humans.

PROCEDURES

Collect dried specimens of:

 15 weed species of dryland fields
 10 weed species of wetlands

A. The following information should be provided for each weed specimens:

1. Scientific name of the weed

2. Local name(s)
3. Place where weeds was collected
4. Date of collection
5. Name of student
6. Classification (based on life duration)
7. Classification (based gross morphology)

B. Preparation of the herbarium specimen

1. Collection- late in the afternoon but not after heavy rain. Weed specimens may
temporarily be placed in plastic bags to prevent rapid writing. Assign a collection number
for each species for future reference. The desire size of the specimen is 30-40 cm. For
grasses and annuals collection the whole plant.
2. Labelling the specimen- Information should include common name of the plant in the
locality, collection numbers, date collected, location and notes of distribution,
morphological features, economic value and collector’s name.
3. Pressing- Arrange specimens between sheet of folded newspapers, while specimens are still
fresh. Once dried, it will be difficult to fashion or change its form and arrangement.
4. Drying- can be done by placing the presser the sun or in the drier. Checking the progress of
drying and changing newspaper folds would be necessary both to facilitate drying and
prevent growth of molds. Length of time for drying depends on the moisture content of the
specimen, method of drying and attention given in the progress.
5. Weeds collection- each dried specimen should be mounted on pages of any weekend
magazines together with the proper accomplished label.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Different between weeds and other plants, Plants which are intentionally grown in fields and
gardens are called cultivated plants. All other plants which are not supposed to be there and grow
unwanted, are called weeds. A weed is therefore a plant growing "in the wrong place".
A plant which you might cultivate in your garden can become a weed if it escapes to a farmer's
field - don't leave the flower-heads to set seed.
Reference: www.hunker.com