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Using a Pervasive Invader for Weed Science Education

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Michelle K. Ohrtman  and
Sharon A. Clay
Michelle K. Ohrtman*
Affiliation:
South Dakota State University, Department of Plant Science, Brookings, SD 57007
Sharon A. Clay
Affiliation:
South Dakota State University, Department of Plant Science, Brookings, SD 57007
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Students studying weed science would expand their knowledge by conducting targeted experiments on invasive weeds. Tamarix spp., some of the most problematic weeds known in the United States, have value for weed science education. Tamarix was used in an undergraduate laboratory course to demonstrate weed science principles for a minimal cost and with great potential for academic enhancement. The laboratory exercise was designed to teach weed science students about the difficulty associated with controlling invasive weeds even at a relatively young age in a region where plants have been detected but large-scale invasion has not occurred to emphasize the importance of early detection and rapid response. The successful execution of this exercise and the positive student response suggests that Tamarix and other weeds with similar reproductive capacities could be valuable additions to weed science curricula. Innovative approaches to teaching weed science facilitate greater learning of this complex subject by students from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines.

Los estudiantes que estudian la ciencia de malezas podrían ampliar su conocimiento al realizar experimentos enfocados en malezas invasivas. Tamarix spp., algunas de las malezas más problemáticas conocidas en Estados Unidos, tienen valor para la educación de la ciencia de malezas. Se usó Tamarix en un curso de laboratorio de pregrado para demostrar principios de la ciencia de malezas con un costo mínimo y con un gran potencial para el mejoramiento académico. El ejercicio de laboratorio fue diseñado para enseñar a los estudiantes de malezas acerca de la dificultad asociada al control de malezas invasivas inclusive a edades relativamente tempranas en una región donde las plantas han sido detectadas, pero una invasión a gran escala no ha ocurrido aún, y de esta forma hacer énfasis sobre la importancia de la detección temprana y la respuesta rápida. La ejecución exitosa de este ejercicio y la respuesta positiva por parte de los estudiantes sugieren que Tamarix y otras especies de malezas con capacidades de reproducción similar podrían ser adiciones valiosas a los currículos en la ciencia de malezas. Formas innovadoras para enseñar la ciencia de malezas facilitan mucho el aprendizaje de este tema tan complejo a estudiantes con diversos historiales y disciplinas académicas.

Keywords

Tamarix sppInvasive plant managementlaboratory exercisesaltcedartamariskyoung professional training
Type
Education/Extension
Information
Weed Technology , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 395 - 400
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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