Is ragweed considered a weed and how to deal with it

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Ambrosia (Ambrosia) is an invasive representative of the genus of annual or perennial herbaceous plants of the Asteraceae family. In the natural environment, there are more than 50 species of herbaceous culture. The main area is the territory of North America. Unfortunately, the most dangerous species of the invasive representative of the Astrov family are found in our latitudes.

So, on the territory of the Russian Federation, the three most dangerous types of weeds live:

1. Artemisia ragweed is an annual herbaceous culture that has filled the southern coastal regions, the Crimean peninsula and the Caucasus. It is often found in other regions of the country. Propagated by the seed method. It poses a serious threat to humans and agricultural industries - livestock and crop production.
2. Ragweed homo sapiens, or naked ragweed, has a high viability. It is not afraid of drought, floods and even severe frosts. The main area is Bashkiria, Abkhazia, Orenburg, Samara and Volgograd regions, as well as the Stavropol Territory. Propagated by vegetative and seed methods.
3. Ragweed tripartite is prone to abundant flowering. The pollen of an annual herb is a dangerous allergen that can provoke an acute reaction in the body. It grows mainly in the southern regions. Weed grass seeds travel to other areas along with crops.

Video "Artemisia ragweed: description and danger of culture"

This video describes what a vicious quarantine weed looks like and what its danger to the environment is.

History of appearance

Few people know that the pest herb is shrouded in myths and beautiful legends. In the days of Ancient Hellas, a drink was made from grass, which supposedly bestowed immortality. The ancient Greeks believed that one cup of such a drink would bring healing from all diseases and give immortality.

Only the gods were allowed to drink the divine drink. The Greek god Tantalus wanted to steal a recipe for a potion that gives immortality and share it with ordinary mortals. But Tantalus was caught and punished severely. Amazing medicinal and miraculous properties were attributed to the drink.

North America is considered the homeland of ragweed. But the seeds of invasive grass came to the territory of Europe in 1873 along with the supply of red clover. The annual herbaceous culture became widespread after the end of the Great Patriotic War. Weed seeds were carried by the wheels of military cargo vehicles.

Spreading

The spread of ragweed in the Crimea and on the territory of the southern coast is equated with a disaster. The situation is aggravated by the fact that insects that are able to destroy the weed remained in their homeland - in the countries of North America. Man has to fight the parasite.

Artemisia ragweed is characterized by high survival rate and intensive reproduction. The seed germination rate reaches a maximum level of 100%. The seed pods ripen at the stage of flowering of the herbaceous culture. One bush of grass is capable of giving "life" to more than 50,000 plants. Due to global warming, ragweed is a frequent occurrence in the central and even northern regions.

Allergy to ragweed

An annual herb is one of the most dangerous types of allergens. During the flowering period, which spans several months, people prone to allergic reactions develop hay fever. The disease is accompanied by severe lacrimation and redness of the eyes, profuse discharge from the sinuses, swelling of the mucous membrane, cough, sore throat and difficulty breathing. If you have problems with the respiratory system, you should immediately seek medical attention. The intense development of an allergic reaction can provoke allergic shock or suffocation.

The reaction to ragweed can manifest itself in the form of redness of the skin, rashes and itching. According to medical research, ragweed allergy occurs in both adults and children. Millions of people are affected by this herbaceous culture.

Harm to agriculture

Ambrosia poses a serious danger not only to humans, but also to agriculture. Weed grass has a long taproot. The plant absorbs all the nutrients and moisture present in the soil. The land is depleted, the cultivated plants grown in the beds wither and dry due to lack of liquid and micronutrients. First of all, cereals, legumes and oilseeds are affected.

An annual herbaceous plant inhabits forage fields. Livestock grazing is under threat as the animals refuse to eat grass, among which wormwood and other ragweed species grow.

Weeds growing in fields and meadows clog the cutting elements of agricultural machinery. Therefore, the speed and quality of harvesting are reduced several times. As you know, repairing agricultural machinery and replacing components is a very expensive pleasure.

Weed control methods

Rapid reproduction of the weed requires human intervention. You can fight ragweed using mechanical, biological and chemical methods.

Mechanical methods

The most effective and safe method for humans and the environment is the mechanical method of removing weeds. The grass is uprooted before the beginning of the flowering phase. It is recommended to repeat the procedure several times per season.

Please note that uprooted plants are subject to complete destruction. It is better to burn an annual herbaceous crop away from the garden and vegetable garden.

Biological methods

Other types of grasses will help drive out the weed. Natural enemies of ragweed are lawn grass, alfalfa, foxtail, wheat grass, fescue, sainfoin, rootless wheatgrass, various perennial cereals and legumes. The duration of such a struggle can drag on for 2-3 years.

Chemical methods

Herbicide preparations based on chemicals will help to quickly get rid of the weed: Tornado, Prima, Ground, Hurricane Forte, Roundal, Lontrel, etc. Herbicides must be applied strictly according to the instructions. In most cases, chemicals are hazardous to humans and animals. Treating fields, meadows and horticultural land requires personal safety precautions.

Seeing ragweed on the site, do not waste time - start an active fight against the weed.Otherwise, the herbaceous culture will quickly multiply in the territory of the garden, vegetable garden or field.