EH 62 - Weed Science and Invasive Plants

Transfer Status

CSU

Unit(s)

3.00

• Lecture: 34.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/102.00 Total hours/2.00 Unit(s)
• Lab: 51.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 85.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the classification, identification, and life cycles of common poisonous and invasive weeds. Topics include the biological, chemical, cultural, and physical control of weeds. Characteristics of weeds and their identification, and herbicide application will be examined.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the botanical characteristics of weeds and plant physiologic and growth functions.
2. Identify common weeds found throughout California.
3. Explain and demonstrate the safe methods of applying various herbicides and wearing personal protective equipment.
4. Describe annual and perennial weed species and their habitats.
5. Contrast phytotoxic properties of applied herbicides.
6. Compare the role of biologicals to conventional products in weed management.
7. List specific cultural and mechanical practices to prevent and manage weed infestations.
8. Explain the public perceptions and be able to defend weed management practices.
9. Identify various career options available in weed science.
10. Identify and describe environmental conditions influencing local crop production.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lab

1. Field Trips
2. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
3. Laboratory Experiments
4. Lecture
5. Problem-Solving Sessions

1. Exams/Tests
2. Quizzes
3. Homework
4. Lab Projects

Reading Assignments

1. Read the Principles of Weed Control chapter on chemical control methods and compare the herbicide symptoms to those found on assigned herbicide labels provided in lecture. Be prepared to discuss in class.
2. Review the Principles of Weed Control chapter on herbicide-tolerant crops through biotechnology. Compare current use of commercially available genetically modified agronomic crops with research presented in refereed journal articles (e.g., Agronomy Journal, Crop Science, Journal of Agronomy, Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science).

Writing Assignments

1. Explain the principles of herbicide rotation and mode of action for three weeds found in the Butte College vineyard. Write a three-page explanation to show the relationship of these principles and include five specific examples of HRAC herbicide classes that could be rotated in this cropping system.
2. Write a research lab report comparing the results of selected herbicides on common California vineyard weeds. Include the experimental design, objectives of the study, results and discussion. This report should be a minimum of five pages and include pictoral images of the treatments as figures, tables, and a graph of the final data.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Create a weed collection that includes at least 50 invasive species listed on the California Department of Pesticide Regulation Weed Control Knowledge Expectations. Students will include both seedlings and mature specimens.
2. Solve three herbicide calibration problem sets as assigned by the instructor.

California Weed Science Society. (2002). Principles of Weed Control. Thomson Publications, 3rd.

Joseph M. DiTomaso and Evelyn A. Healy. (2006). Weeds of California and Other Western States. UC Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2nd.

Ross, M.A. & Lembi, C.A. (2009). Applied Weed Science: Including the Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants. Prentice Hall, 3rd.

Other Learning Materials

Plant press

Dryers and ventilators

Fastex buckle straps

Botany paper and glue

Hand lens (10x)

Ornamental Horticulture