Weed types and identification

For optimum control of weeds, both culturally and chemically, it is veiy important to be able to identify the weeds correctly. There are two main groups of weeds, the monocotyledons or grass weeds and the dicotyledons or broadleaved weeds. 

Grasses in the vegetative stage are veiy difficult to identify but it is at this stage that control is most effective. There are several features which can be studied in order to identify grasses correctly. Usually each grass has one or two distinct characteristics that aid identification (Table 5.2)  

Leaves with boat-shaped tips and tramlines on upper surfaces 

Young leaves with non-glossy under-surface non-stoloniferous hgule tall and rounded. 

Young leaves glossy on imder-surface stoloniferous ligule pointed heading mid-May onwards. 

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