Describe a range of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders 23/01/219

This assignment will look at and discuss two examples of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders,
exploring the damage they inflict and what methods to employ in order to control them.

Weeds

A weed is simply a plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants or as
David Holgrem prefers to refer to them as 'Naturalised species'.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perennial that grows to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate.
The species is hermaphrodite and is pollinated by Insects. It is well-known for attracting wildlife. It can
grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade though it prefers moist soil. The plant can also tolerate
maritime exposure. The jagged leaves are edible, especially when young and tender, and even the
flowers can be eaten raw or fried or used to make dandelion wine. It can be found in grassland and
cultivated ground.
Another perennial is Buckhorn Plantain( Plantago coronopus) that reproduces by seeds. This narrow-
leafed weed invades meadows, pastures, and lawns and appears in any season.
Hand weed this plant and destroy it to remove it from your garden. Plantain’s also edible, especially
when the leaves are young and tender. It can be enjoyed raw, steamed, boiled, or sauteed. It is
normally found in sandy or gravelly soils and cracks in rocks, in sunny places in dry soils usually near
the sea
Weeds may out-compete native plants because they may not be affected by the pests or diseases that
would normally control them in their natural habitats . Therefore, weeds grow faster than native plants
and successfully compete for available nutrients, water, space and sunlight . They reduce natural
diversity by smothering native plants or preventing them from growing back after clearing, fire or other
disturbance. In addition, they replace the native plants that animals use for shelter, food and nesting.
Control methods such as cultivation/ hoeing is effective especially on small weeds and controls all
emerged growth. Equipment to do this is relatively cheap and available. However, this method can
damage soil structure, spread perennial weeds, damage trees/roots and offers only short term control.
Mulching, too, is another method used. It suppresses all emerging weeds, holds moist soil and provides
long-term control. Some disadvantages are cost of mulch and its application. Also it's attractive to
rodents, can affect tree nutrition and needs to be free or weed seeds.

Legislation was passed in 1936 (Number 38) – known as Noxious Weeds Act. It states that it is an
offence not to prevent the growth and spread of noxious weeds. Owners and occupiers of land must
ensure that they abide by the provision in the act. Noxious weeds, which must be controlled, are
ragwort, thistle, dock and wild oat.

Pests
Rats and Mice
Gardens can provide a safe harbor for several types of rodents providing shelter and readily-available
food sources both growing around the garden and stored in sheds. They unwelcome because of the
damage they can do to fruit, vegetables, seeds, bulbs, plants and containers, and also because they
expose people and pets to various diseases and parasites. Rats, mice and voles can carry a wide
range of diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths (worms), including Salmonella,
Leptospirosis, Weil’s disease, Listeria, Cryptosporidium and rat bite fever. They can infect both humans
and pets. They can also carry ectoparasites such as ticks, mites, fleas and lice that carry another set of
diseases, and can pass them on to humans and pets.
To control these pests it is advisable to remove potential nesting places by keeping gardens clean and
tidy. Remove piles of wood, garden clippings etc, and cut back overgrown areas. Covering any
household food waste such as in compost heaps and rubbish bins will also help and ensure rubbish
bags containing food are not left outside for long periods. Also bird feed shouldn't be scattered on the
ground: the use a bird table or feeder basket to feed birds is much more preferable.
Electrical traps give a high voltage shock when an animal walks on metal plates inside the containment
box. However, they are expensive and not all can be used outdoors. They also need to be verified
frequently to check for and dispose of any dead animals
Snails and slug
Most slugs feed at night, and if the slime trails are present, it can forewarn you to the level of activity.
Damage is usually most noticeable and acute during warm humid periods
Slugs can make a meal of a wide range of vegetables and ornamental plants, especially seedlings and
other soft growth. Dahlias, sweet pea and tulips are regularly attacked by slugs. In the vegetable
garden peas, beans, lettuce celery and potato tubers are very vulnerable to attack. Many larger slugs
primarily feed on decomposing organic matter such as dead leaves, dung and even dead slugs.
However, in the compost heap they can be a valuable part of the composting process.
To ensnare slugs you can put cabbage leaves, boards, wet newspaper, or cut pieces of raw potato in
the garden. They will assemble in these damp shady spots where you can find them and dispose of
them. Scattering bran around seedlings and vulnerable plants means when it is ingested, it swells in the
stomach of the slug or snail and kills it. Smear petroleum jelly around the rims of seed trays to prevent
slugs or snails from climbing up them. Sunken traps containing beer are well-known. But, It's just as
useful to fill the traps with sugary water and yeast instead; it will have the same effect. These traps have
the disadvantage that they can kill beneficial insects too.
Copper repels slugs because their slime interacts with the copper and gives them a jolt of electric
current. Copper flashing is dear stuff and this could be quite expensive.
Disease
Potato Blight
Potato blight is a fungi and It can spread through the air during moist humid conditions especially when
when it is above 10°C and relative humidity exceeds 90% for 11 hours for two days, which is known as
the smith period. The blight can infect other members of the Solanaceae family i.e. tomatoes /
aubergine. Symptoms include brown freckles of patches on the leaves, white fungal spores under
leaves and dark patches on tubers. Inside of the tuber is brown and starts rotting and the potatoes will
eventually turn into soggy, foul-smelling masses.
The solution to this is to act before any problems arise and apply Bordeaux Mixture to your potato
crops. Bordeaux Mixture is a compound of Copper Sulphate and is a garden fungicide that has been
used since the beginning of the 19th century and was first used to discourage members of the public
from pillaging fruits from vineyards in France. The Copper Sulphate mixture also prevented the build up
of powdery mildew on crops. Any infected material should be deeply buried (more than 45cm deep),
consigned to the green waste collection or, ideally, burned rather than composted. Earthing up potatoes
provides some protection to tubers. Early-harvested potatoes are more likely to escape infection.
Operate a rotation to reduce the risk of infection, ideally of at least four years Destroy all potatoes left in
the soil, and any waste from storage, before the following spring.

Fireblight
It is a disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora and expect to see damage from late spring
until autumn. Fireblight infects only those members of the Rosaceae and in the sub-family Pomoideae
such as apples, pears and related ornamentals including Cotoneaster, Sorbus, Crataegus (hawthorn),
Photinia. Fire Blight Symptoms. The symptoms of fire blight can appear as soon as trees and shrubs
begin their active growth. The first sign of fire blight is a light tan to reddish, watery ooze coming from
the infected branch, twig, or trunk cankers.
It's best to avoid heavy pruning or excess applications of nitrogen fertilizer, both of which encourage
new growth. It's advisable to steer clear of planting close to wild plants of hawthorn, apple or pear. As
soon as fire blight is discovered, prune off infected branches 1 foot below the diseased sections and
burn them to prevent further infection.
Disorders
Phosphorus
Very important nutrient in root development, DNA, cell membranes, proteins, and fruits. Symptoms
appear as reddish or purplish leaves or stems leading to small leaves or poor root growth. Fruit can be
small or delayed. Phosphorus can be deficient on acidic soils or due to over watering. The use of lime
to raise and maintain soil pH in the range 6.0 to 7.0. Match the phosphorus fertilizer to the crop, soil
phosphorus level, and purpose of the fertilizer. Use a starter fertilizer when planting in cold, wet soils —
particularly when soil tests are not high. Incorporating manure into soil is one way to replenish
phosphorus, and crushed phosphate rock is a long-term solution that can release phosphorus into soil
for three to five years.

Frost
Frost is often it is apparent almost immediately, However, some plants, particularly woody ones, the
damage may take several months to show up. Spring frosts can damage tender young growth causing
scorching and pale brown patches to appear between the leaf veins in the top of the plant. Winter frosts
in Bay trees causes scorching and leaf browning whereas spring frosts in apple trees can damage fruit
and flowers and reduce fruit number. Key factor in success of nuts and fruit developing is spring frosts
and the timing of flowering
To help alleviate the problems of frost a garden on a south-facing slope offers two advantages: more
exposure to the Sun, and better drainage of cold air. In deep valleys, nighttime temperatures may be as
much as 18°F lower than the temperature on the surrounding hills. A stone wall benefits the garden by
acting as a heat sink, absorbing warmth from the Sun during the day and radiating it slowly at night.
The water in a nearby lake or pond (if it is one acre or larger) does the same Good soil, full of organic,
retains moisture, reducing the rate of evaporation. Mulch also helps to prevent evaporation.

Weeds
Conclusion:
There are approximately 250,000 species of plants worldwide; of those, about 3% or 8000 species
behave as weeds. They both useful and detrimental Weeds have a controversial nature. But to the
agriculturist, they are plants that need to be controlled
Recommendation:
Layering mulch with newspapers or cardboard will eliminate existing weeds,. Constant weed control like
mulching will stop the next generation of weeds from growing, too.
Pests
Conclusion:
Pests can range from large (deer, rabbit) to very small (aphids and nematodes) and can be equally
destructive. Rats, for example, even though rats have poor eyesight, once they figure out a path, they never
forget it.

Recommendation:
Insert a tall chicken wire fence around your garden. Make sure that it is at least 5 inches deep in the
soil. Also, make sure that the chicken wire has fairly small holes in it so as not to let rats or mice
through.

Disease
Conclusion:
All plants, wild and cultivated, are subject to disease which means that all plants need to be monitored

Recommendation:
In the case of Fireblight infected branches should be pruned at least 36cms below the diseased section
and burnt
Disorders

Conclusion:
But other environmental factors cause plants to lose vigour affecting plant health These are non-
pathogenic disorders (abiotic) i.e. They do not cause disease directly About 50% of plant health issues
tested in professional labs are from disorders so they are very N.B. Remember Plants can have more
than one health problem at a time These disorders make it easier for disease and pests to take hold

Recommendation:
Water the soil thoroughly (except around succulents). Wet soil holds heat better than dry soil, protecting
roots and warming air near the soil.

Bibliography
(n.d.). Slugs / RHS Gardening. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved January 23, 2019, from
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=228
(n.d.). Noxious Weeds Act, 1936. (c) Houses Of The Oireachtas Service. Retrieved January 23, 2019,
from http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1936/act/38/enacted/en/html
, https://www.facebook.com/PlanetNatural. (n.d.). Fire Blight: Symptoms, Treatment And Control |
Planet Natural. Planet Natural. Retrieved January 23, 2019, from https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-
problem-solver/plant-disease/fire-blight/
Holgrem, B. (2013, November 12). Weeds Or Wild Nature: A Permaculture Perspective. The
Permaculture Research Institute. Retrieved January 23, 2019, from
https://permaculturenews.org/2013/11/12/weeds-wild-nature-permaculture-perspective/