Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

Weed invasion is a most serious problem, causing severe pasture deterioration, in Japan. Knowledge of the natural and man made conditions most favorable to weed invasion would be useful for controlling these noxious invaders by cultural or chemical methods. This study points out the major harmful weeds and the conditions under which they can easily invade and impair pasture production, as ascertained from data obtained by a survey conducted in 1981. All farms responding were classified for presence or absence of each weed species within the category of factors such as air temperature and so on. The survey data indicates circumstances under which infestation tends to occur and provides information for pasture management methods. The three principal perennial weed species found in pastures were Rumex obtusifolius, Pteridium aquilinum and Artemisia spp .. In this analysis; Digitaria adscendens, an annual weed especially harmful in southern portions of Japan, is also treated. R. obtusifolius and Artemisia spp. are consistently associated with intensively managed pastures having gentle inclinations, receiving heavy nitrogen applications and under high dairy cattle grazing pressure. These two species are viewed as likely to invade pastures subjected to intensive usage. On the other hand, P. aquilinum and D. adscendens were found in pastures with extensive use having steep inclination, lower nitrogen applications and grazing beef cattle.

Share

COinS
 

Factors Affecting Weed Invasion in Pasture of Co-Operative Livestock Farms in Japan

Kyoto Japan

Weed invasion is a most serious problem, causing severe pasture deterioration, in Japan. Knowledge of the natural and man made conditions most favorable to weed invasion would be useful for controlling these noxious invaders by cultural or chemical methods. This study points out the major harmful weeds and the conditions under which they can easily invade and impair pasture production, as ascertained from data obtained by a survey conducted in 1981. All farms responding were classified for presence or absence of each weed species within the category of factors such as air temperature and so on. The survey data indicates circumstances under which infestation tends to occur and provides information for pasture management methods. The three principal perennial weed species found in pastures were Rumex obtusifolius, Pteridium aquilinum and Artemisia spp .. In this analysis; Digitaria adscendens, an annual weed especially harmful in southern portions of Japan, is also treated. R. obtusifolius and Artemisia spp. are consistently associated with intensively managed pastures having gentle inclinations, receiving heavy nitrogen applications and under high dairy cattle grazing pressure. These two species are viewed as likely to invade pastures subjected to intensive usage. On the other hand, P. aquilinum and D. adscendens were found in pastures with extensive use having steep inclination, lower nitrogen applications and grazing beef cattle.