Weeds identification control in sports turf

1. Weeds identification control in sports turf Tutor - Barry Dore

2. What is a ‘Weed’? • A weed is ‘_____________________’

3. What is a ‘Weed’? • A weed is ‘plant growing in wrong place’

4. Daisy -Bellis perennis • Spoon shaped leaves that forms basal rosette • Flower 2cm - yellow central disc, white petals • Flowers March-Oct

5. Dandelion -Taraxacum officinale • Leaf - lobed, narrow, forms basal rosette • Deep tap root • One yellow flower 3-6cm

6. Slender speedwell -Veronica filiformis • Stalked leaves join stem in pairs • Leaves are kidney shaped • Flower - blue with 4 petals, 1cm

7. Yarrow - Achillea millifolium • Narrow dark green leaves 5-15cm long • Deep taproot, rhizomes • Creamy/white flowers

8. White Clover -Trifolium repens • Shamrock shaped leaves (white mark) • White flowers • Creeping spread

9. Creeping Buttercup - Ranunculus repens • Alternate leaves on stem divided into 3 lobes • Flowers have 5 yellow petals • Flowers from April-June

10. Common Chickweed - Stellaria media • Rounded stems • Bright green, hairless leaves • White flowers • Five longer green sepals under petals

11. Common mouse-ear - Cerastium fontanum • Stems/leaves softly hairy • Leaves opposite pairs along stem • Small white flowers with 5 petals

12. Self Heal -Prunella vulgaris • Vertical flower stems • Leaves - oval, pointed tips, round bases • Flowers heads - small purple flowers

13. Common Nettle - Urtica dioica • Stingy leaf • Creeping rhizomes • Upright growth • Leaves in opposite pairs

14. Ribwort Plantain -Plantago lanceolata • Leaves form basal rosette • Lanceolate leaves with 5 parallel veins • Ridged flower stalk

15. Lesser trefoil -Trifolium dubium • Leaves - 3 leaflets • Small yellow 0.5cm flowerheads • Up to 20 individual flowers

16. Broad leaved dock -Rumex obtusifolius • Upright plant - up to 1m • Round basal lobes either side of stem • Lower leaves - oblong/oval shaped

17. Procumbent Pearlwort - Sagina procumbens • Central whorl of thin grass like leaves • Four opening green sepals with tiny white flower • Flowers May-Sept

18. Annual Meadow grass - Poa annua • Folded leaf, pale green, with boat shaped tip • Tolerates close mowing e.g. 5mm • Flowers all year round

19. Activity 1 – Group discussion • Group A – Conditions that encourage weeds • Group B – Methods of controlling weeds • Group C – Reasons why you control weeds

20. Reasons for controlling weeds • Unsightly on fine turf surfaces • Affect playing surface • Weeds compete with turf for food, water, light and space, • Prevents weeds from spreading

21. Spread of weeds • Some weeds produce seeds – spread by wind, feet, machinery, animals • Some weeds creep by stolons and rhizomes

22. Conditions that encourage weeds • Compaction • Poor drainage • Poor turf maintenance • Bare grass swards

23. Weed Control • Physical – physically dig out the weed • Cultural – change environment weed is growing in e.g. aeration to discourage Greater Plantain • Chemical – e.g. selective herbicides

24. Cultural Weed control • ___________________________ • ___________________________ • ___________________________ • ___________________________

25. Cultural Weed control • Correct turf maintenance e.g. scarifying • Install drainage – reduce wetness • Reduce shade to encourage grass • Aerate to relieve compaction

26. Activity 2 • Collect weeds and bring them back for identification from the poster

27. Activity 3 • Fill in 15 weed identification sheets • Finish them off for next week

28. Self Assessment • Name 8 weeds found in turf • State 3 conditions that encourage weed growth • State 3 reasons for controlling weeds • State 3 types weed control