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A review of the biology and ecology of Florida beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Theodore M. Webster  and
John Cardina
John Cardina
Affiliation:
Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences, Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691
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Abstract

Florida beggarweed is native to the Western Hemisphere but is naturalized around the world. During the last century, the mechanization of agriculture has transitioned Florida beggarweed from an important forage component to a weed of significance in the coastal plain of the southeast United States. This herbaceous annual is naturalized and found in fields and disturbed areas throughout the southern United States. The characteristics that made Florida beggarweed a good forage crop also make it a formidable weed. This review describes the importance of Florida beggarweed as a weed in the southern United States and the taxonomy of this species and details the distribution throughout the world and within the United States. The ecology of Florida beggarweed and its interactions with crop plants, insects, nematodes, and plant pathogens also are summarized. Finally, management of Florida beggarweed in agricultural systems using cultural practices and herbicides is reviewed.

Keywords

Florida beggarweed, Desmodium tortuosum (Schwartz) DC. DEDTOBean leaf beetleBelonolaimus gracilisburrowing nematodeCerotoma trifurcataColaspis bunnerColletotrichum dematiumColletotrichum truncatumcorn earwormcylindrocladium black rotCylindrocladium parasiticumDesmodium yellow mottle tymovirusgrape colaspisHeliothis virescensHeliothis zeaherbaria surveyherbicide application decision support systemPseudopluscia includensPseudomonas viridiflavaRadopholus similisseed germinationsoybean loopersting nematodetobacco budwormtomato spotted wilt tospovirusweed interference
Type
Invited Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 52 , Issue 2 , April 2004 , pp. 185 - 200
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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