AGRONOMY 479
WEED SCIENCE
Fall 2014
I. General Information
AGRN 479G (Weed Science) is a 3 credit hour course that will cover the identification, biology and
distribution of weeds; weed interference of desirable plant growth; herbicide classification, use and
environmental fate; appropriate application of chemical, cultural, biological and mechanical weed control
methods.
Lecture:
Laboratory:
MW 2:00-2:50 p.m., Knoblauch 226
TH 1:00-2:50 p.m., Knoblauch 226 or AFL – Agronomy Unit
Prerequisites:
AGRN 373 – Integrated Pest Management
Instructor:
Dr. Mark Bernards
Knoblauch Hall 227
Office: 309-298-1569
Mobile: 309-313-5917
Email: ml-bernards@wiu.edu
Office Hours:
M 1:00-1:50 p.m.; W 11:00-12:50 a.m, F 9:00-9:50 a.m. or by appointment
Required Texts:
1. Ross MA Lembi CA. 2009. Applied Weed Science – Including the Ecology and Management of
Invasive Plants. Pearson-Prentice Hill, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
2. Bryson CT DeFelice MS. 2010. Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Canada.
University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia. (currently $24.70 at Amazon.com)
3. Bradley KW Johnson B, Smeda R, Boerboom C. 2009. Practical Weed Science for the Field
Scout. University of Missouri Extension, Columbia, MO. ($3.00 from University of Missouri
Extension).
Supplementary Texts:
1. Davis A. et al. 2005. Integrated Weed Management: “One Year’s Seeding . . .” Michigan State
University Extension Bulletin E-2931.
2. Stubbendieck JL, Coffin MJ Landholt LM. 2003. Weeds of the Great Plains. Nebraska
Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE
3. Taylor E, Renner K, Sprague C. 2008. Integrated Weed Management: Fine Tuning the System.
Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-3605.
4. Uva RH, Neal JC, DiTomaso JM. 1997. Weeds of the Northeast. Cornell University Press, Ithaca,
NY.
II. University Policies and Expectations
Student rights and responsibilities: A complete description is available at
www.wiu.edu/provost/students.
Academic Integrity (http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php): Western Illinois University, like all
communities, functions best when its members treat one another with honesty, fairness, respect, and
trust. . . It is the student's responsibility to be informed and to abide by all University regulations and
policies on Academic Integrity. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty constitute a
serious violation of University conduct regulations. Students who engage in dishonesty in any form shall
be charged with academic dishonesty. . . Any student, faculty member, or staff person who has witnessed
an apparent act of student academic dishonesty, or has information that reasonably leads to the
conclusion that such an act has occurred or has been attempted, has an ethical responsibility for
reporting said act(s).
The policy for AGRN 479: Any confirmed act of academic dishonesty (especially plagiarism or cheating)
will result in the loss of all points associated with that assignment, and may result in an “F” for the course.
Non-Discrimination (http://www.wiu.edu/policies/affirmact.php): Western Illinois University is committed
to providing equal opportunity and an educational and work environment for its students, faculty, and staff
that is free from discrimination based on sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender
expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Disabilities: In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an
accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain
documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and provide
it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the instructor's
attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students
who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the
instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact Disability
Resource Center (DRC) at 298-2512 for additional services.”
Education Majors: You are required to receive a grade of a "C" or better in this course to meet state
certification requirements.
III. Course Expectations and Policies
1. Live the Golden Rule. Treat others with respect and courtesy in your conversation and actions. Turn
off and put away electronic devices during the class period unless directed to use them for class
activities. Class is not the time to read the newspaper or magazines.
2. Show up. Attendance and punctuality is expected. Notify the instructor in advance if you have any
reason to miss a class period through the O.A.R.S system (http://wiu.edu/oars). A minimum of 24 h
notice (email or phone) is required if there is any cause to miss an exam. If you do miss a class
period, do not ask the instructor “Did I miss anything important?” It is your responsibility to make
arrangements to get the information you missed and to make up any missed assignments.
3. Participate. Be prepared for class discussions by completing readings, answering questions, taking
notes, asking questions, and working effectively with other students on lecture and laboratory
activities.
4. Study. You should plan to spend a minimum of 5 hours outside of class each week to adequately
learn the material.
5. Complete assignments. Assignments not turned in on the assigned date may have 10% of the total
potential points deducted for each day after the due date. The instructor will generally return exams
and assignments within 1 week.
6. The use of tobacco is prohibited in Knoblauch Hall, nor is it allowed during sessions at the AFL.
Two dismissals due to disruptive or unprofessional behavior will result in a permanent disbarment
from the course and a final grade of “F” will be assigned.
IV. Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:
a. Identify approximately 80 weedy species, describe their basic biology and list the Latin binomial
name of 40 species
b. Explain what factors contribute to the “weediness” and invasive potential of a species
c. Explain how weeds cause damage to a landscape and predict potential crop losses
d. Identify appropriate non-herbicide techniques for managing weeds based on the biology of the
weed species
e. Describe factors that affect herbicide activity, movement, and fate in soil
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
Describe how herbicides enter, move within, and affect plant growth and development
Illustrate why herbicides are selective and why plants become resistant to them
Differentiate herbicide active ingredients into the appropriate herbicide site of action
Diagnose herbicide injury and symptomology for eleven herbicide mechanisms of action
Demonstrate the ability to properly calibrate a sprayer
Demonstrate the ability to calculate proper rates for applying herbicides
Create a weed management plan for a specific management area
V. Grading
Attendance will be factored into the grade. Each student will be allowed 2 “vacation” days (for
funerals, interviews, oversleeping, etc). Absences that exceed “2” will result in the lowering of the
grade one step for each absence (e.g., B+ to B). Absence for WIU-sanctioned activities like
livestock judging competitions will not count against “vacation” days. Absence due to illness will
be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will not count against the vacation days.
Probable Grade components
Participation
Assignments
Lab quizzes/exams
Lecture quizzes
Final exam (comprehensive)
Grading Scale
Percentage
93.0-100
90.0-92.9
87.0-89.9
83.0-86.9
80.0-82.9
77.0-79.9
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
Portion
5%
25%
30%
30%
10%
Percentage
73.0-76.9
70.0-72.9
67.0-69.9
63.0-66.9
60.0-62.9
<59.9
Grade
C
CD+
D
DF
VI. Learning Assessment
Participation: A composite of attendance, punctuality, and preparedness for class discussions.
Assignments: Various assignments will be given throughout the semester to help you achieve the course
objectives. Four major assignments will include:
 Weed Collection of 25 plant specimens (physical or photographed) and a seed collection of 20
species.
 Review of an article related to weed biology or management that you select (with approval from
instructor) that was published in one of the following journals: Weed Science, Weed Research,
Weed Technology, Weed Biology and Management, Invasive Plant Science and Management, or
Pest Management Science
 Report on a weed for which you have interest
 Develop a comprehensive Weed Management Plan for a plant production system in which your
group has interest. Weed Management Plans will be presented during the last lab session.
Lab quizzes/exams: A quiz will be given most laboratory periods that will review material covered in
previous lab sessions. In addition, there will be three laboratory exams:
 Weed ID exam – You will be asked to identify at least 50 species by common name, Latin
binomial and/or life cycle.
Lecture quizzes: Quizzes will be given approximately every other week and will review material covered
in the lectures. The quizzes will include multiple choice, true-false, fill in the blank, and short essay
questions.
Final exam: The final exam will assess your ability to answer the course objectives.
VII. Probable Course Calendar
Date
Topic (Location of Lab)
Reading/Assignment Due
Aug 25
What is a weed & Introduction to Herbicides
AWS pp. 1-2, 132-138
Aug 27
Herbicide Movement and Mode of Action Schemes
AWS pp. 160-169
Aug 28
Herbicide Mode of Action Symptomology
PWS pp. 8-18
Sep 1
Labor Day (no class)
Sep 3
Herbicide Selectivity
Sep 4
Herbicide Selectivity and Herbicide Research
Sep 8
Beginning of 2014 CBT Professional Development Series
Sep 8
Review: Plant Terminology Pictionary
AWS pp. 74-90
Sep 10
Quiz 1. Impact of Weeds 1
AWS pp. 2-7
Sep 11
Agronomic Weeds 1
Sep 15
Review Quiz 1. Impact of Invasive Plants
AWS pp. 7-10, 44-51
Sep 17
Weed Interference
AWS pp. 13-21, pp. 350-353
Sep 18
Agronomic Weeds 2
/ Weed Report
Sep 22
Weed Dispersion and Invasion
AWS pp. 21-25, 53-72
Sep 24
Quiz 2. Seed Banks and Dormancy
AWS pp. 25-29
Sep 25
Pasture/Roadside Weeds
Sep 29
Review Quiz 2. Seed Bank Management
AWS pp. 29-33
Oct 1
Soil Jeopardy
AWS pp. 91-97
Oct 2
Landscape/Turf Weeds
Oct 6
Weed Science Literature
Oct 8
School of Ag Career Fair
Oct 8
Quiz 3. Weed Management Planning
AWS pp. 98-106
Oct 9
Woodlands and Misc. Weed ID
/ Weed Collection
Oct 13
Review Quiz 3. Weed Management Tools 1
AWS pp. 106-110
Oct 15
Weed Management Tools 2
AWS pp. 110-118
Oct 16
Weed ID Exam. Troubleshooting
Oct 20
Weed Management Tools 3
AWS pp. 118-130
Oct 22
Quiz 4. Herbicide Chemistry
AWS pp. 137-141
Oct 23
Tillage for Weed Control
AWS pp. 505-521
Oct 27
Review Quiz 4. Herbicide Uptake
AWS pp. 154-160 / Literature Review
Oct 29
Herbicide fate
AWS pp. 142-144, 181-185, 192-203
Oct 30
Weed Management Info Resources, Herbicide Selection
Nov 3
Herbicide MoA 1
AWS pp. 185-189. 203-207
Handout
AWS pp. 170-176, 226-259
Date
Topic (Location of Lab)
Reading/Assignment Due
Nov 5
Quiz 5. Herbicide MoA 2
AWS pp. 170-176, 226-259
Nov 6
Chemical Weed Control Equipment and Calibration
/ Weed Mngt Resources
Nov 10
Review Quiz 5. Herbicide MoA 3
AWS pp. 170-176, 226-259
Nov 12
Herbicide MoA 4
AWS pp. 176-179, 260-278
Nov 13
Herbicide Formulations, Adjuvants and Calculations
AWS Ch. 22 / Calibration calculations
Nov 17
Herbicide MoA 5
AWS pp. 179-181, 279-291
Nov 19
Quiz 6. Herbicide Resistance 1
AWS pp. 209-214
Nov 20
Review Quiz 6. Herbicide Resistance 2
AWS pp. 214-225 / Calculations
Nov 24
Thanksgiving Break
Nov 26
Thanksgiving Break
Nov 27
Thanksgiving Break
Dec 1
Weed Life Cycles and Management:
pp. 292-304
Dec 3
Weed Life Cycles and Management
pp. 305-349
Dec 4
Integrated Weed Management Plan Project Time
Dec 8
Avoiding HOS in Weed Management
Dec 10
Quiz 7.
/ Course Evaluation
Dec 11
Review Quiz 7. Integrated Weed Management Plan
Presentations
/ Weed Management Plan Due
Dec 15
FINAL EXAM, 3:00-4:50 p.m., KH226
9/8/14 mb