1. Organic and Biologs
Plant Science 280
Mr. Gomes

2. Organic Agriculture
A very broad term that covers a multitude of characteristics
Is often lumped into one broad category
Generally thought of as outside the norm versus conventional
Is extremely difficult to manage
Until very recently, was virtually ignored universally by most Weed Scientists

3. Organics in America Very little research in organic weed management.
Much more money is invested in the engineering approach to management than the ecological approach
One of the fastest growing segments of US Ag for more than a decade
In 1990, there were fewer than 1 million acres of certified organic farmland in the US
In 2008, it was 4.8 million acres
From , there was an increase of 3,440 new certified farms. An increase of 36%
Grew 15% a year from

4. Alternative Names Agroecological Biodynamic Conservation Organic
Regenerative

5. Agroecological Generally labor intensive
No or very limited dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
Use of locally produced manure or compost
Use of leguminous plants or trees for fertilizer
Maintain diverse cropping/livestock systems that are sustainable
Advocates believe then system should achieve social (community maintenance), economic (profitability), and ecological (sustainabiolity) objectives

6. Biodynamic Generally means emphasizing a farms organic unity
Encouraged to make their own fertilizer by keeping animals
The most integrated when it comes to crops and livestock
Advocate against any form of uniformity
Encouraged to “Live fully in the organic spirit, including participation in activities intended to promote the biodynamic way of life”

7. Conservation Often referred to as sustainable Ag
Advocates zero or minimal tillage
Topsoil management to achieve preservation
Crop rotations based on minimal soil disturbance
Permanent soil cover
Biological pest control

8. Organics Seek to maintain long term soil health Advocates the use of
Crop rotation, green manure, composting, and biological pest control
Manage pests based on maintaining biological diversity
To be labeled organic you must
Exclude the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock antibiotics, food additives, and GMO’s
Discussion???

9. Regenerative Essentially Agroecological farming
Rooted in the knowledge of how to manage plants, animals, water, soil, and pests
Primary objective is to maintain soil and ecological longevity through farming practices

10. 3 Characteristics and Objectives
In contrast to conventional, industrial agriculture, organic agriculture has been developed by a farmer dominated process
Organic farming systems use integrated management strategies
The goals of farmers are multidimensional and go beyond simply maximizing yield and economic return. They include development of social networks and localization of food supply

11. Operational Goals
To meet basic nutrient requirements by creating self- regenerating systems to enrich soil and create a nutrient-rich growing environment
To achieve weed control using crop rotation systems to deprive weeds of favorable growing conditions
To achieve insect control through reliance on natural predators
To achieve plant disease control through use of crop rotation, careful seed selection, and general farming practices

12. Goals for Weed Management Systems
Limiting competitive damage caused by weeds. A primary objective is to reduce weed density to tolerable levels. Redefining when a plant is a weed
Minimizing the size of future weed populations by minimizing seed production and survival
Preventing introduction of new weed species by monitoring, sanitation, and targeted eradication

13. Weed Management to protect the crop
Reduce weed density to a tolerable level. Very subjective and hard to define
Reduce the damage a given density of weeds causes. This can be done by;
Reducing weed density
Minimize resource consumption, growth, and competitive ability
Delaying weed emergence and then encouraging weed emergence
Increasing the portion of resources captured by crops
Damaging, but not necessarily killing, weeds with one of several techniques
Shifting the composition of weed communities to less aggressive, easier to manage species. Ex. Ladino clover

14. Biological Weed Control
Plant distribution is determined by edaphic, climatic, and biotic
Soil type and climate and be monitored and discussed, but not controlled by peeps
Biotic environment can be manipulated however. Ex??
Biological Control can be very successful but will never be the solution to every weed problem
When successful it is implemented as part of a larger plan

15. Defined
Biological Control is usually though of as requiring intentional introduction of a parasite, predator, or pathogen to achieve control, but it is also a natural phenomenon.
Scientists can therefore introduce an agent or discover the control potential of a natural biological control agent
The ultimate goal is to maintain the bad plant population at a lower average density
Not necessarily to eradicate, but to reduce

16. Advantages Reasonably permanent Self-perpetuating
No additional inputs required once agent is established successfully
No harmful human side effects
Attack is limited to target weed and a few close relatives
Risks are known and evaluated before release
Control often dependent on host density
Costs are non-renewing
High benefit:cost ratio for successful programs

17. Disadvantages Control is slow No guarantee of results
Establishment may fail for many reasons
There may be unknown ecological effects. Mutation
If target is related to a crop, the number of biocontrol agents is low
Some risks may not be known and cannot be evaluated
Does not work well in short term cropping cycles
Restriction of spread is impossible
Initial investment of time, money, and personnel can be very high
Eradication is not possible.

18. List of some Biological Agents
Weed Type of Agent Field Bindweed Gall Mite Puncturevine seed/stem weevil Russian Knapweed Gall-inducing nematode Prickly Pear Cochineal Scale Tansy Ragwort Flea beetle Yellow Starthistle Bud weevil/Rust Fungus?

19. Application Methods of Bio Agents
Classical
Augmentation
Innundation
Inoculation
Conservation
Broad Spectrum Control

20. Classical
The intentional introduction, usually from a geographically distant place, adapted to native weeds
Has been limited to plants that are not closely related to crop species
The first real method of biological control that started in the late 19th century
Ca one of the first test sites. Ex Santa Cruz island
Works best in areas of relatively undisturbed habitat (i.e. rangeland or permanent crop). Most successful method
Target is usually areas of expanded range (puncturevine, Russian thistle, spotted knapweed)

21. Augmentation
Artificial manipulation of a population so a weed is controlled
Examples include the use of sheep or goats to manage spurge in parts of Ca
Inundation is a method of this where large numbers of an agent are released
Generally control is short term (Scale on prickly pear)
Inoculation is the intentional release of a known biological organism
Success is based on the agents ability to reproduce
Generally this is thought to be long term and permanent

22. Conservation
Identify native parasites, predators, and disease of the desired species are conserved or protected
Nothing is imported or released
Extremely challenging to accomplish
Whole, systemic approach is needed to accomplish this task

23. Broad Spectrum Control
The use of herbivorous fish can fall into this category (catfish in rice)
Grass carp in canals and ditches is always a hot topic?!
Sheep and goats can graze on plants cattle will not eat
Can be very hard on the environment with and wild habitat
Geese, ducks, and chickens have been used to control nutsedge in multiple crops
Not always effective because they can be very picky