Being able to identify weed species is essential for controlling their growth and spread before deciding on herbicides or other management measures. Weed identification workshops are particularly valuable for potential participants, from advisors to farmers, who often lack the specific expertise needed, which can hinder farm productivity and sustainability.
This training was conducted within the Spanish Community of Practice within ClimateSmartAdvisors project, where participants received the necessary training to differentiate weed species in the field.
Prior to the field exercise, participants gather in a room where the procedure is explained. It is recommended to use a slide presentation and laminated images of weeds for later identification in the field. During the classroom session, participants learn the key distinguishing characteristics needed to identify weed species at both seedling and mature stages. The information should be presented as visually as possible and complemented with practical field exercises.
Before conducting the exercise, the organizer should identify plots with a wide variety of the main weeds present in the area, including the most important ones. The materials required include a room with a screen and projector for the training. The session can be complemented with images of weed seeds, fact sheets showing weeds as seedlings and mature plants, and a form to record the weeds observed and identified.
To further enrich the workshop, weeds collected and identified by participants can be compiled into an herbarium for future training sessions. These workshops can be organized by advisors with expertise in weed identification. Strong botanical knowledge and soft skills are valuable for leading the training.
After the training, participants are expected to better manage one of the main threats to crops by avoiding mistakes in herbicide use and making more appropriate crop management decisions.
El conocimiento de las especies de malas hierbas es fundamental a la hora de poder combatir el desarrollo de éstas, ya sea mediante el uso de productos fitosanitarios u otras medidas alternativas de manejo. Para ello es de especial interés la realización de jornadas de identificación de malas hierbas, donde técnicos y agricultores, reciben la formación necesaria para poder diferenciar dichas malas hierbas en campo.
Aún siendo fundamental estos conocimientos, en muchas ocasiones, tanto el asesor como el agricultor carecen de ellos. Ambos son los colectivos objetivos de dicha formación.
Previamente a la realización del ejercicio en campo se reúne a los participantes en una sala donde se explica la dinámica. Es recomendable utilizar tanto una presentación con diapositivas como imágenes plastificadas de las malas hierbas para su posterior identificación en campo. Durante la formación en la sala se proporcionará a los participantes el conocimiento de las principales características diferenciales necesarias para identificar y diferenciar malas hierbas en estado tanto de plántula como adultas. Esta información deberá ser lo más visual posible y será complementada con la práctica en campo.
Previamente, el organizador debe haber buscado parcelas donde haya una muestra amplia de las principales malas hierbas que encuentran en la zona, en especial las más importantes.
Los materiales necesarios son: Una pantalla y proyector para la formación, para mostrar imágenes de semillas. Fichas con fotos de las malas hierbas en plántula y planta adulta.
Ficha para apuntar las malas hierbas que se van observando e identificando.
Para enriquecer aún más la jornada se pueden utilizar las malas hierbas recogidas e identificadas por los/las participantes y realizar un herbario que podría ser mostrado en jornadas posteriores de formación.
Este tipo de talleres pueden ser organizados por asesores con conocimiento en la identificación de malas hierbas y dirigidos a otros asesores y agricultores que deseen formarse en este tema. Es recomendable un buen dominio en botánica y habilidades blandas para impartir estas jornadas.
Se espera que tras esta formación los asistentes puedan combatir una de las mayores amenazas de los cultivos, como son las malas hierbas, evitando errores en el uso de herbicidas y realizando el manejo del cultivo con las decisiones adecuadas.
This training has already been successfully carried out in the past by INTIA advisors.
To prepare this training, several points must be considered:
First, it should be planned well in advance and the timing carefully chosen. We want to ensure that participants do not have too many other commitments during this period. For farmers, it’s important to avoid overlap with planting and harvesting seasons. Furthermore, many weeds are seasonal and have specific germination and growth periods. This must be taken into account to obtain a representative sample of weeds in the field.
It is crucial to conduct preliminary research to identify plots where we can find a sufficient quantity of weeds to demonstrate in our training. Commonly many weeds typically appear in certain crops. Since a significant portion of the day takes place in the field, it’s helpful to have information about the expected weather conditions.
Also, although not mandatory, a small gift could be prepared for the participants who were most successful in identifying weeds. For the rest, laminated sheets with images and distinctive characteristics of weeds could be offered, which they can carry in their vehicles during their time in the field. If sheets are laminated, they are more durable.
Weeds differ according to their stage of development.
