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Management and Control of Argemone sp. in Taif Region
 

Awarding Institute: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture.
Principle Investigator: Prof. Abdulaziz M. Assaeed
Co-Investigator: Dr. Saud L. Al-Rowaily, Prof. Khalid F. Al-Mutalq, Prof. Turky I. Al-Turky, and Mr. A. Al-Dawod.

Introduction

Argemone mexicana is a noxious weed that has been introduced to Saudi Arabia. This relatively newly introduced weed accounts for the loss of rangeland value in valleys around Taif mountains area. Argemone sp. has a tendency to multiply rapidly thereby choking the land, competing other range plant species and reducing the land value. Efforts to control weed infestation are hampered by natural dispersion of seeds and the often extremely long viability these seeds have. Thus determining its rangeland distribution and its invasion ecology are essential for planning control measures of this weed. Traditional means of weed control include the application of expensive herbicides, plowing weeds under the soil (a temporary solution at best), biological control, careful selection and reseeding of valuable grazing plant species and animal grazing. Results are expected to yield fruitful information on management and control of this invasive plants.

Research Objectives

1.      To determine the best control treatments of Argemone sp. in Taif Region.

2.      To determine the suitable management practices of weed-infested rangelands to combat the weed.

3.      To determine the mechanism of Argemone invasion into rangelands.

4.      Propose a mechanism for the application of results and recommendations of the project.