During a recent fact-finding tour of aquatic ecosystems in southern Florida, officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) got an up-close look at how integrated weed management techniques are helping to control invasive weeds in lakes and wetlands. The three-day site visit was organized by scientists, engineers and educators from a variety of public and private organizations, including the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA).

As a graduate student and instructor at the University of Illinois, Ellery Knake was fascinated with weeds. He was determined to understand their impact on crops and to explore new control techniques to benefit farmers. When he died recently at age 81, Dr. Knake left behind a body of work that has made a lasting impact on both agriculture and weed science around the globe.

Home gardeners are out in full force this spring tending to lawns, gardens and flower beds. But most of us will find it's not all smooth sailing. Inevitably we will need to battle persistent weeds that rob nutrients and moisture from our prized plantings. University of Idaho weed scientist Don Morishita says homeowners can benefit from what professional farmers have known for years: an "integrated" weed management plan is best.

Compost can be a gardener's best friend. It can deliver dramatic improvements in soil quality and nutrients to nourish your plants throughout the growing season. But unless you use the right techniques, you may also find yourself with a bumper crop of weeds.

This week the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) is asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request a rehearing of the recent Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision defining pesticides as pollutants and requiring Clean Water Act permits before they can be applied in or near water sources. The Court's ruling overrides existing government regulations for pesticides that are based on extensive scientific analysis.

Nearly two dozen individuals from academia, government and private industry were honored by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) for their outstanding contributions to the field of weed science. The annual awards were presented during WSSA's 49th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

When garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) was brought to North America from Europe more than a century ago, no one predicted it would carpet thousands of acres of forestland, choke out native plants and even disrupt the development of a rare native butterfly, Pieris napi oleracea. But now scientists are using an innovative computer program to find the perfect predator for garlic mustard and regain the upper hand.

Joint meeting of North Central Weed Science Society and Midwest Invasive Plant Network to be held December 8-11 in Indianapolis. The growing impact of weeds on farming, gardening and land management will be the focus of the first joint annual meeting of two leading Midwest weed science organizations.

The Weed Science Society of America is advocating an immediate change in the amendment to the 2008 Farm Bill to restore formula funding for the Extension IPM program. We encourage our members to contact elected and appointed government officials and other influential constituents in their state to discuss the benefits of Extension IPM programming, the damage the new funding model causes and the importance of maintaining a stable, efficient nationwide IPM network.

The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) has petitioned Congress to rescind a last-minute change to the recently approved 2008 Farm Bill that threatens Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs throughout the United States.

Are weeds sprouting beneath your backyard bird feeder? If so, researchers say the type of feed you use may be to blame. In studies at Oregon State University, scientists examined 10 brands of wild bird feed commonly sold in retail stores. The samples contained seeds from more than 50 weed species – including 10 ranked among Oregon’s most noxious weeds.

When scientists identified the function of the 25,000 or so genes that make up human DNA, they unleashed a new wave of innovation in healthcare that is allowing physicians to tailor the treatment of diseases for better outcomes. The same type of genetic research is helping scientists do battle on a very different front – learning how to better control the invasive weeds that harm crops, reduce harvests and impact our ability to feed a growing world population.