Plant Protection and Weed Control
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Noxious and Invasive Weed Update Plant Protection and Weed Control Spring 2019 The “Other” Weeds List We have discussed noxious move- antine for the two Old weeds and the law that ment of World bluestem species, regulates them in Kansas all fed- Caucasian and Yellow Special points of interest: quite a bit in these articles erally bluestem. This one will be so this time I thought we listed a little different in that it • Parasitism is one of three types of might mix things up a bit noxious will only quarantine the symbiosis, or close relationships and discuss another law weeds. seeds and roots rather between two different species. The While three types of symbiosis are: that regulates other weeds than the plants them- in other ways. The Plant only a few of the more selves. This will help re- Mutualism, in which both species • Pest and Agriculture Com- than 100 species on the duce the introduction and benefit, modity Certification Act federal noxious weed list spread of the species. • Commensalism, in which one spe- (K.S.A. 2-2112, et seq.), could potentially infest This same quarantine can, cies benefits and the other is unaf- allows for certain plant Kansas, we have listed all fected, and and is, used pests to be quarantined. A of them to ensure we don’t for other • Parasitism, in which one species quarantine means that the get surprised in the future. threatening benefits and the other is harmed. species listed cannot be This also allows us to help pests out moved into, or within, the the federal government in their work to stop the there like the state. insects Em- spread of these weeds. There are currently four erald ash quarantines in place that We are also in the process borer and restrict the movement of of Walnut twig Purple loosestrife, Grecian devel- beetle, the thousand can- Inside this issue: foxglove and Salt cedar oping ker disease, and Karnal (Tamarisk). The fourth a bunt, a fungus. The “Other” Weeds List 1 quarantine restricts the quar- Uncle Sam’s Weeds List 1 Uncle Sam’s Weeds List The Vampires of the Weed World 2 As mentioned in the article to Kansas. Most of them tions of any agricultural above, all species of plants are threats to the warmer Control Corner: Empty Pesticide imports before they leave 2 Containers on the Federal Noxious and moister climates of the exporting country and Weed list are quarantined Florida or coastal Califor- Invasive Species Spotlight: before they leave the port 3 Cannabis sativa in the state of Kansas. This nia. where they first enter the list is the nation’s first line The Animal and Plant US. of defense against the in- Health Inspection Service, troduction of those plant Before a plant is added to or APHIS, an agency of the species that represent a the list a risk assessment, Sign up to receive the United States Department pest of potential economic based on literature search- Noxious and Invasive Weed of Agriculture (USDA), is in importance to the country es or other research, is Update automatically via charge of both developing and are not yet present, or completed. This will allow email at agriculture.ks.gov and enforcing the list, present but not widely dis- APHIS to know that a plant which prohibits the impor- tributed. While there are could pose a threat to the tation and interstate move- 112 species of terrestrial, country before it is intro- ment of Federal noxious aquatic and parasitic plants duced, preventing and weeds. It does this by en- on the list, only a few of harm from occurring. forcing mandatory inspec- them are of direct concern Page 2 The Vampires of the Weed World While weeds, do not have blood to be toe, Wyoming’s state flower, Indian have penetrated, the roots of their sucked out by fang-bearing plants in paintbrush and dodder, a particularly host plants. damaging parasitic plant which is black capes, there are plant species In some cases parasitic plants do out there that do draw water, nutri- also native to Kansas. more than just steal water and nutri- ents and even chlorophyll out of their As was stated in the article on the ents from their host plants. Dwarf victims. These are called parasitic first page, there are several parasitic mistletoe will cause their host tree to plants because they survive by living plants on the federal noxious weed grow dense masses of shoots from a off of a host plant. list. Most of those listed are in the single point, which results in what is broomrape family which parasitize known as a witch’s broom. the roots of plants. The reason they are on the federal list is because they have been known to negatively affect crop species such as corn, sorghum, sunflower, soybeans and our newest crop, hemp. In many cases it is hard to tell that one plant is parasitizing on another one. Most broomrape plants seem to be growing out of the ground like any There are many parasitic plants other plant. It is not until you dig up throughout the world such as every- the plant and trace its roots through body’s favorite Christmas plant, mis- the soil that you will find that they tletoe. Several species are native to have attached themselves to, and North America such as dwarf mistle- Control Corner: Empty Pesticide Containers Once you have finished with your pest When you are triple rinsing your emp- control project, you are left with the ty containers, remember to pour the empty pesticide container, and, over rinse water into your application time, these containers begin to pile equipment or store it to use as mix up, taking up space and getting in the water for the next time you are using way. There must be a way to safely the same chemical. dispose of these empty jugs, isn’t Talk to your local recycling center, there? landfill, permitting office or your Well, yes, as a matter of fact, there is. county weed director for more infor- And that way is explained on the label mation on the best way to dispose of used in the future. If the container is of every container. On each label, empty pesticide containers in your reusable, you will not, of course, be look for a section labeled “Storage required to damage the container. area. and Disposal”. This section, which After this, you will usually be offered And always remember, and don’t ev- usually has a border around it to a choice of recycling the empty con- make it easier to find, will explain the er forget; tainer, disposing of it in a sanitary specific requirements for whichever landfill. In some cases, if the label The label is the law! pesticide you are using. and state and local authorities allow Always read and follow Most herbicide labels will require that it, you may be able to burn the con- label directions. you rinse out the container three tainer. Some counties offer recycling times and then punch a hole in the for used pesticide containers. bottom to prevent it from being re- Plant Protection and Weed Control staff work to ensure the health of the state’s native and culti- vated plants by excluding or controlling destruc- tive pests, diseases and weeds. Staff examine and analyze pest conditions in crop fields, range- Plant Protection and Weed Control lands, greenhouses and nurseries. Action taken to control potential infestations of new pests, whether they are insects, plants diseases or Any questions comments or article weeds, is beneficial to the economy and the envi- suggestions, please contact: ronment. Scott S. Marsh Our mission is to: State Weeds Specialist • Exclude or control harmful insects, plant diseases, 1320 Research Park Drive Manhattan, KS 66502 and weeds; Phone: (785) 564-6697 • Ensure Kansas plants and plant products entering Fax: (785) 564-6779 commerce are free from quarantined pests; E-mail: [email protected] • Provide customers with inspection and certification services. Visit our website at: agriculture.ks.gov Invasive Species Spotlight: Black Swallowwort One of the lesser-known They have dark green, plants to grow through the zomes. Any that are left invasive species is Kansas shiny leaves that have an dense mats it forms, it is of will quickly regrow. Mow- is black swallowwort, also elongated heart shape. concern because, as a ing will not destroy the known as dog-strangling The flowers are small, dark- member of the milkweed plant, but can reduce its vine, a perennial vine that purple and star-shaped. family, monarch butterflies spread, if you do it every can grow up to 7 or 8 feet They form pointed green are sometimes attracted to year before the seeds de- long by late summer. If left pods that look like chili- lay their eggs on its leaves. velop. Triclopyr and alone, they can form dense peppers until they ripen, Unfortunately, because our Glyphosate are both effec- mats of tangled stems and turn brown and split, re- monarchs have not evolved tive if applied to the foli- even climb and overwhelm leasing seed that float with the plant, the caterpil- age after the plant has trees although in Kansas it away on the wind. The lars cannot survive on the started flowering or to cut usually infests field edges pods are similar to those of black swallowwort and die stems, like after mowing and climbs fences. milkweeds; in fact the swal- before developing into cat- or pruning. lowwort is in the milkweed erpillars, further reducing family.