Indiana Category 6 Industrial Weed Management Graded A+

Indiana Category 6 Industrial Weed Management Graded A+ Leaves ️perform photosynthesis (sugar production) and gas exchange Cuticle ️a protective coating on leaves Stems ️provide support, some photosynthesis, and food storage Stolons ️horizontal stems running on the soil surface Rhizomes ️underground horizontal stems Roots ️offer anchorage, water, and nutrient uptake, and food storage Xylem ️moves water and soil nutrients from the roots to the leaves Pholem ️transports sugars that are manufactures in the leaves during photosynthesis, primarily downward to the roods Cambium ️the plant tissue responsible for growth Benefits of vegetation management on rights-of-way ️to keep weeds clear of signals, signs, crossroads, and other cars; to allow for inspections in ROW's; to minimize fire hazard; to reduce power and communication interruptions; and improve drainage Grasses ️plants with narrow, up-right leaves with parallel veins, stems that are hollow and jointed, and fibrous root systems Broadleaves ️plants with non-parallel leaf margins and non-parallel leaf veins, with coarse root systems (often with a noticeable tap-root) Forb ️broad-leafed herbaceous plant (doesn't produce persistent woody tissue) Trees ️broadleaf plants that produce persistent, woody tissue on branching, erect stems. This plant usually has a main stem (trunk), and grows more than 10 feet. Brush ️broadleaf plants that produce persistent, woody tissue on branching, erect stems. This is a woody plant with multiple stems that grow less than 10 feet high. Ferns ️seedless plants that spread by spores and prefer moist soils. Annual plants ️plants that complete their life cycle in one year Biennial plants ️Plants that complete their life cycle in two growing seasons. Best controlled during the first year. Perennial plants ️Plants that complete all four growth stages in the first year, then repeat the vegetative, reproductive, and maturity stages for several years following. Best controlled as seedlings. Simple Perennials ️spread by seed, and cut root segments Creeping Perennials ️spread by stolons, rhizomes, or by seed Bulbous perennials ️reproduce from underground bulbs or tubers (they also produce seed) Weed Growth Stages ️1. Seedling 2. Vegetative 3. Reproductive 4. Maturity Seedling ️a young plant that has germinated from the seed and emerged above the soil surface (cuticle is thin here, permits easy management) Vegetative ️rapid growth of roots, stems, and leaves (herbicide easily circulates through the plant at this stage) Reproductive ️a plant that is in the flowering and seed production stage of growth. Growth of the plant is limited during this time. Maturity ️little to no growth, and if the plant overwinters, nutrients move to roots for storage. Foxtail ️summer annual grass Johnsongrass ️perennial grass that reproduces by rhizomes and seeds Common Reed (Phragmites) ️tall perennial grass that can grow to more than 15 feet in height. Spreads by rhizomes and stolons. Cattail ️rush that reproduces by seeds and rhizomes Marestail (horseweed) ️annual braodleaf that reproduces by seed Water Hemp ️annual broadleaf that produces large numbers of seeds