Weed management in sustainable farming systems often requires the integration of several different pest management techniques. Cultural, biological, and chemical pest control efforts can be utilized to contribute to the common goal of reducing weeds in vegetable row crop systems. This research addresses how common disturbances such as tillage and insecticide use affect: carabid beetle assemblages; predation of weed seeds by invertebrates; and weed seed recruitment. Field experiments were conducted over three years at two different locations on the OSU Vegetable Research Farm, Linn Co., OR. We found that activity-density of carabid beetles varied seasonally and peaked in late August-September each year. Insecticide applied in year 1 affected seed loss in year 2, suggesting possible long-term effects of land management on weed seed removal. Weed recruitment was highly variable between treatment, site, and year. Conserving biological weed control agents in combination with cultural techniques such as reducing tillage and the use of cover crops, helps growers shift from expensive, density-independent control efforts to more ecological, long-term solutions for weed management in agroecosystems. / Graduation date: 2011 / Access restricted to the OSU community, at author's request, from Dec. 15, 2010 - Dec. 15, 2011.

In Mozambique, establishment of aquatic weeds has been enhanced through the increased enrichment of water bodies by nutrient runoffs from human and agricultural wastes that lead to an increase in nitrate and phosphate in the water. The aquatic weeds, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), red water fern ( Azolla microphylla), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and salvinia (Salvinia molesta) were found in most watercourses in Mozambique and are becoming aggressive in some watercourses, especially in the Umbeluzi and Incomati rivers. Farmers and people living along the rivers are aware of the negative impact of the water weeds because the large mats of weeds cause loss of shoreline and navigability along the rivers. Other commonly perceived effects of aquatic invasive plants in Mozambique rivers include: reduced navigable surface area; difficulties for fishermen, which reduces income; increased prevalence of insects and insect-borne disease, and decreased aesthetic value. The methods currently used for the control and management of the aquatic weeds are mechanical and manual control. Both methods are costly, time consuming, and only provide a short-term solution to the problem. The study found that the weevils Neochetina eichhorniae and N. bruchi were effective biological control agents in the study area but their impact is too gradual compared to the aggressive proliferation of water hyacinth. The one year lab-experiment clearly demonstrated that the water lettuce weed had a significant impact on the recruitment of macro-invertebrates to the artificial substrates, and water lettuce contributed to the reduction of oxygen in the water and consequent reduction of macro-invertebrate abundance and diversity. The biodiversity recovered at the same time in the pools containing water lettuce controlled by N. affinis and water lettuce controlled by herbicide, but richness and diversity of macro-invertebrates was higher in the water lettuce controlled by N affinis during the first sampling occasion compared to the water lettuce in pools controlled by herbicide, where macro-invertebrates increased only when DO levels recovered after water lettuce mat decay. The number of taxa recorded in this study is an indication of the significance of macro-invertebrates in an aquatic environment. This therefore emphasizes the need for more research efforts into macrophyte and macro-invertebrate associations in the aquatic system to better understand the implications of habitat modification arising from human activities. It will also enable us to be better equipped with a more appropriate ecological understanding for aquatic resources management.

MSc (Botanty) / Department of Botany / Background: Problem plants and alien invasive weed species are part of today‟s ecological transformation. Ethnobotanical literature on ecological prominence and ethical values of problem alien weeds is scant and should be documented to avoid loss of valuable species. Aim: The study was aimed at documenting problem weeds and alien invasive plant species considered to be beneficial in deep rural communities. Materials and method: Purposeful triangulation research methods were used to ensure the proper gathering of both qualitative and quantitative data sets. Results and conclusion: Some problem weeds and alien invasive plant species are being utilized by local people to maintain their livelihood. A total of 78 plant species from 33 families were recorded. These plant species belonged to diverse growth habits, namely: climbers, herbaceous, succulents, shrubs, trees as well as creepers. Recorded problem weeds and alien invasive plant species were contributing towards ecological, medicinal and social values. These included being utilized as a source of food (14), fruits (4), medicinal (31), ornamentals (7), firewood (3), social (2) and multiple purposes (17). The main utilized families were Asteraceae (14.1%) and Solanaceae (14.1%). These families were mostly utilized for the purpose of medicinal and food. Plant species that were widely used are as follows: Achyrathes aspera L., Agave sisalana L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Anredera cordifolia L., Canna indica L., Centella asiatica L., Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King and H. Rob. The dominant category for problem weeds and alien invasive plant species was 1b (44%) followed by weeds (35%), category 2 (9%), invaders (5%), category 3 (4%) and 1% for both category 1, 1a as well as X3. The results revealed that the legislative listing of plant species as problem weeds and alien invasive species was based on single knowledge basis system, rather than on multi-dimensional knowledge systems. Therefore, this study recommended that for judgment to be considered in decision-making, it should be based on species-specificity as well as multi-dimensional-knowledge basis. The reconciliation of inherent grapples among scientific and indigenous knowledge systems could possibly be underpinned by equal legislative consideration for the aforementioned knowledge systems especially in the establishment and implementation of environmental regulations. This could also aid with the provision to support transformation in South Africa and worldwide.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This project consists of two botanical investigations in an agricultural area of the Western Cape Province. A farm known as De Rust, in the Elgin Valley, was used to sample the geographic location, density, height and life stage of six prominent invasive plant species in various land-use categories. In the first investigation, the density, height and age structures of the six invasive species populations were analyzed. The density distribution of the six species was also displayed cartographically. Species were then ranked according to the potential threat that they pose to the conservation of the remaining natural areas on the farm. Results indicated that Acacia mearnsii and Acacia saligna are the major invaders at De Rust and that Hakea sericea can be considered as an emerging invader. The second investigation explores the statistical relationship between the various land-use categories and density, height and age of the six prominent invaders identified in the first investigation. The loglikelihood ratio analysis of observed frequencies resulted in statistically significant (P<0.01; P-values range between 1.35 x 10-3 and 2.7 x 10-224) relationships between certain land-use types and certain invasive species. A conclusion was reached that it could be useful to include land-use categories in simulation models of invasive plant species distribution and spread. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie projek behels twee botaniese ondersoeke in ‘n landbou gebied van die Weskaap. Die plaas bekend as De Rust, in die Elgin Vallei, was gebruik vir die versameling van data te doen met die geografiese ligging, plant digtheid, lengte en lewens stadium van ses prominente indringer plant spesies in verskeie landgebruik kategorieë. Die digtheid, lengte en ouderdomstruktuur van ses indringerspesies was in die eerste ondersoek geanaliseer. Die verspreiding van digtheid was ook in kaarte uitgelê. Spesies was daarna volgens hulle potentiële dreiging teen die bewaring van oorblywende natuurlike dele van die plaas in ‘n rangorde geplaas. Resiltate dui aan dat Acacia mearnsii en Acacia saligna die belangrikste indringer plante op De Rust is en dat Hakea sericea as ‘n opkomende indringer beskou kan word. Die tweede ondersoek kyk na die verhouding tussen verskeie grondgebruik kategorië en die digtheid, lengte en ouderdom van die ses prominente indringer spesies wat in die eerste ondersoek identifiseër is. ‘n Log tipe ratios ontleding van bewaarde frekwensies het ‘n statisties belangrike uitkoms gehad (P<0.01; P-waardes tussen 1.35 x 10-3 en 2.7 x 10-224) vir die verhoudings tussen sekere grondgebruik tipes en sekere indringer spesies. Die gevolgtrekking was dat dit handig mag wees om grondgebruik kategorieë in simulasies van indringer plant verspreiding te gebruik.

Tikslas – įvertinti tiesioginės sėjos, supaprastinto žemės dirbimo ir augalinių liekanų įtaką kai kuriems vasarinių rapsų agroekosistemos komponentams. Stacionarus dviejų veiksnių lauko eksperimentas įrengtas 1999 m. Aleksandro Stulginskio universiteto Bandymų stotyje. A veiksnys − šiaudų panaudojimas: šiaudai pašalinti (-Š); šiaudai susmulkinti ir paskleisti (+Š). B veiksnys − žemės dirbimos sistemos: įprastas gilus arimas 23–25 cm gyliu rudenį (GA), kontrolinis variantas; seklus arimas 10–12 cm gyliu rudenį (SA); seklus purenimas kultivatoriumi strėliniais noragėliais ir lėkštiniais padargais 8–10 cm gyliu rudenį (KL); seklus purenimas rotoriniu kultivatoriumi 5–6 cm gyliu prieš sėją (RK); seklus žaliosios trąšos įterpimas rotoriniu kultivatoriumi 5–6 cm gyliu prieš sėją (ŽTRK) ir tiesioginė sėja į neįdirbtą ražieną (ND). Vienoje bandymo dalyje šiaudai pašalinti, o kitoje dalyje susmulkinti ir paskleisti. Tiek fone be šiaudų, tiek fone su paskleistais šiaudais buvo tiriamos visos žemės dirbimo sistemos. Šiaudų įterpimas (+Š) neturėjo esminės įtakos tirtiems vasarinių rapsų agroekosistemos komponentams. Seklus purenimas rotoriniu kultivatoriumi 5–6 cm gyliu prieš sėją (RK) ir seklus žaliosios trąšos įterpimas rotoriniu kultivatoriumi 5–6 cm gyliu prieš sėją (ŽTRK) esmingai padidino vasarinių rapsų daigų skaičių. Dirvožemio kietį armenyje didino visos neariminio žemės dirbimo sistemos. Šlyties pasipriešinimą didino taip pat visos neariminio žemės dirbimo sistemos tiek 0–10 cm... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of investigation – to evaluate effect of reduced soil tillage and plant residue on some rape agroecosystem components. Stationary two – factor field experiment was estab-lished in Aleksandras Stulginskis University at the Experimental station in 1999. Factor A – the use of straw: straw removed (-Š); straw chopped and spread (+Š). Factor B – tillage sys-tems: conventional deep ploughing at 23–25 cm depth in autumn (GA), control; shallow ploughing at 10–12 cm depth in autumn (SA); shallow loosening with tine coulter and disk implements at 8–10 cm depth in autumn (KL); shallow loosening with rotary cultivator at 5–6 cm depth before sowing (RK); shallow incorporation of green manure with rotary cultivator at 5–6 cm depth before sowing (ŽTRK) and no tillage, direct sowing (ND). In one field experiment part straw removed, and the other part chopped and spread. Both the background without straw and spread at the background of the straw was investigated all tillage systems. Straw incorporation (+Š) had no significant effect on studied rape agroecosystem components. Shallow loosening with rotary cultivator at 5–6 cm depth before sowing (RK) and shallow incorporation of green manure with rotary cultivator at 5–6 cm depth before sowing (ŽTRK) signitificantly increased the number of rape seedlings. All tillage systems in the soil plow layer increased the penetration resistence. All tillage systems significantly inc-reased shear strenght at 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm and depth. The... [to full text]

Depuis les années 1950, l’intensification des pratiques agricoles concourt à une augmentation de la pression anthropique entraînant une raréfaction des espèces spécialistes des parcelles cultivées, ce qui contribue à l’érosion de la diversité biologique des agroécosystèmes. Parmi les espèces en déclin, on compte de nombreuses messicoles dont le bleuet (Centaurea cyanus L.), fleur emblématique des moissons. Or, cette espèce peut rendre des services écosystémiques comme hôte de prédateurs de ravageurs des cultures et ressource privilégiée de certains pollinisateurs qui justifieraient son maintien dans les champs. Nous étudions ici des facteurs biologiques qui pourraient potentiellement contribuer à son déclin : distribution spatiale, potentialité de croissance, diversité génétique des populations, survie des semences, système de reproduction. Nous avons montré, par deux campagnes de relevés, que C. cyanus n’est pas une espèce indicatrice de diversité floristique dans la parcelle cultivée. Toutefois, lorsque que le bleuet est rare dans une région, il est associé à d’autres messicoles peu fréquentes. Par contre, s’il est commun, il est associé aux zones ayant la plus forte diversité végétale. Une expérience de semis dans différents compartiments de l’agrosystème, en absence de traitements herbicides, a mis en évidence que la potentialité de croissance des bleuets est plus élevée dans le plein champ du blé que dans la moutarde et les interfaces blé/bordure. Cette croissance est limitée de manière variable par les communautés adventices présentes dans les compartiments hors champs (bordures). L’analyse de la diversité génétique à l’aide de marqueurs microsatellites de bleuets dans une petite zone agricole montre que les populations sont connectées par des flux de gènes importants. Les barrières écologiques telles que les chemins, semblent être des facteurs de structuration plus importants que la distance géographique séparant les populations. La répartition du bleuet dans le paysage agricole n’est donc pas aléatoire et apparaît dépendante de la fréquence de l’espèce dans la région ainsi que des différents éléments du paysage. Les caractéristiques du cycle biologique du bleuet ont été étudiées grâce à des expériences au champ et en serre. Nous avons montré que la longévité des akènes enfouis dans le sol chute rapidement après deux ans. Le cycle saisonnier de la dormance permet deux cohortes de levées (automne et printemps). L’étude du système de reproduction a permis de mettre en évidence que les pollinisateurs sont nécessaires pour la fécondation et que les populations sont majoritairement auto-incompatibles. Il existe cependant des individus pseudo auto-incompatibles mais leur fréquence n’est pas liée à la taille des populations ou à leur niveau d’isolement spatial. Par ailleurs, dès que le coefficient de consanguinité augmente dans les populations, la valeur phénotypique des individus baisse. La dépression de consanguinité s’exprime alors principalement pendant la phase de la germination. L’ensemble de ces caractéristiques biologiques peuvent s’avérer défavorables au bleuet dans les agroécosystèmes simplifiés actuels et ont pu entraîner son déclin dans certaines régions / Agroecosystems are currently experiencing high biodiversity loss, in particular among the plant species specifically adapted to this habitat. This decline results from cropping systems that have been intensified in Western Europe since the 1950s. The cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.), considered as emblem of the flora associated with traditional cereals, appears as a species that may be at risk and should be monitored. Indeed, cornflower can serve as a host to predators of crop pests and is strongly attractive for the pollinators. This study examines the biological factors that could potentially cause the decline of this species: spatial distribution, potential for growth, population’s genetic diversity, seeds survival and mating system.We have shown that C. cyanus is not a biological indicator of the weed diversity of a field. However, when it is not frequent in a region, cornflower is associated with other rare segetal species. When it is common in a region, C. cyanus is present in areas with higher weed diversity. Sowing seeds in different components of the agrosystem, without herbicide application, shows that the growth of cornflower was higher in the centre of a wheat field than in mustard and the crop edge. Growth success in field margins was variably limited according to the weed communities in the field boundaries. The analysis of the genetic diversity using microarrays has shown that populations in a small agricultural area are connected by important genes flow. The ecological barriers as country road seem to be factors more determinant than geographical distance to structure and divide populations. Therefore, the cornflower distribution in the agricultural landscape is not random and appears to be linked to species frequency in the area and to landscape elements.The cornflower life cycle characteristics were studied through field and greenhouse experiments. We have shown that the longevity of achenes buried in the soil falls rapidly after two years. There is a seasonal dormancy cycle that allows the emergence of two seedling cohorts (fall and spring). Our study of the mating system highlights the fact that pollinators are required for fertilization and that cornflower is strongly self-incompatible. However, there are pseudo self-incompatible individuals, but their frequency is not related to the population size or the spatial isolation level. Individual fitness decreases as the inbreeding coefficient increases in a population. Inbreeding depression is mainly expressed during the germination stage. All these biological characteristics can be detrimental to the cornflower in current simplified agroecosystems and may have led to cornflower decline in some areas

Resumo: A interferência das plantas daninhas em agroecossistemas olerícolas é muito intensa em função do sistema de produção das culturas nesse tipo de ambiente. Para o desenvolvimento de programas de manejo das plantas daninhas, estudos ecológicos das comunidades infestantes são de suma importância em razão da vegetação daninha ser conseqüência das condições ecológicas criadas artificialmente pelo homem nos agroecossistemas. O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com objetivo de realizar estudos fitossociológicos na comunidade infestante da cultura da beterraba de mesa e determinar os períodos críticos de interferência dessa comunidade sobre a cultura quando estabelecida por meio de semeadura direta. Os tratamentos consistiram em períodos semanais crescentes de convivência e controle das plantas daninhas, a partir de 14 dias após a semeadura. A comunidade infestante foi avaliada por meio do número de indivíduos e da matéria seca acumulada correspondente, para cada população de planta daninha e época avaliada. Na comunidade infestante estudou-se a composição específica, a densidade populacional, o acúmulo de matéria seca, os índices fitossociológicos, a diversidade e a similaridade. A cultura foi colhida 91 dias após a semeadura, quando se avaliou o diâmetro transversal e a produção de raízes. Na cultura estudou-se o efeito da interferência das plantas daninhas na produção total de raízes e os períodos críticos de interferência das plantas daninhas sobre a produtividade comercial de raízes. Nos períodos de convivência, Coronopus didymus foi importante pela densidade e acúmulo de matéria seca, no período de crescimento da beterraba, enquanto, no terço final do ciclo, Nicandra physalodes foi importante devido ao acúmulo de matéria seca. Nos períodos de controle, Amaranthus viridis, Galinsoga parviflora e N. physalodes foram importantes pelo ...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Weed interference is very strong in olericultural agroecosystems due to the established crop production system in these environments. Ecological studies of weed communities are extremely important for development of weed management programs because of weeds are a consequency of the ecological conditions unnaturally created by humans in agroecosystems. The objective of this research was to realize phytossociological studies on the weed community of the table beet and to determine the critical periods of interference of this community on the crop when the beet was established by direct sowing. The treatments were weedy and weed-free increased weekly periods, starting 14 days after sowing. The weed community was evaluated based on the number of individuals and their correspondent dry matter accumulation for each weed population and interference time. The weed community was studied based on species composition, population density, dry matter accumulation, phytossociological indexes, diversity and similarity. The beet was gathered 91 days after sowing, evaluating the root transversal diameter and the root production. About the beet crop, it was studied the effects of weed interference on the total root production and the critical periods of weed interference affecting marketable beet yield. Coronopus didymus was important due to density and dry matter accumulation on beet growing period, in weedy periods, while Nicandra physalodes was important due to dry matter accumulation on the thirty part of the crop cycle. Amaranthus viridis, Galinsoga parviflora and N. physalodes was important due to dry matter accumulation, in weed-free periods. The diversity and evenness indexes were characteristic of weed communities of agroecosystems, with more evenness values at the beginning and at the middle of the cycle, and less evenness at the final, when mortality and dry matter accumulation for some species ...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Orientador: Robinson Antonio Pitelli / Coorientador: Arthur Bernardes Cecílio Filho / Banca: Pedro Luis da Costa Aguiar Alves / Banca: Dagoberto Martins / Mestre

Orientador: Robinson Antonio Pitelli / Banca: Núbia Maria Correia / Banca: Dagoberto Martins / Resumo: Um dos mais importantes fatores que afetam negativamente o crescimento, produtividade e qualidade do produto da soja é a interferência proporcionada pelas plantas daninhas. Assim, este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de estudar a evolução fitossociológica da comunidade infestante crescendo em convivência com a cultura da soja por diferentes períodos, a determinação do PAI e estudar a dominância relativa dos macronutrientes por parte das plantas daninhas e da soja para as condições experimentais. O experimento foi instalado sobre Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico típico de textura argilosa, no delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso com doze repetições e, como tratamentos, foram avaliados os períodos de convivência desde a emergência da soja até 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, 70 dias do ciclo e até a colheita. A cultivar da soja foi a M-SOY 8045RR, o espaçamento de 0,45 m entre linhas e uma população de 400.000 plantas/ha. Os resultados refletiram as relações competitivas entre a cultura da soja e uma comunidade infestante em que Acanthospermum hispidum foi a população de maior importância relativa devido sua predominância numérica e na massa seca acumulada e que apresentou equilíbrio na diversidade e equitabilidade durante todo o ciclo, embora ocorresse dois grupos distintos de similaridade na evolução desta vegetação. O primeiro grupo englobou as avaliações realizadas até os 21 dias e foi caracterizado por um relativo equilíbrio numérico entre as principais populações. O segundo grupo de similaridade foi caracterizado pela ampla predominância da população de A. hispidum. A dominância relativa da soja quando comparado com a soma de todas as plantas daninhas para massa seca, nitrogênio, fósforo, cálcio e magnésio apresentou um decréscimo dos valores da soja até 35 - 42 dias e, depois a... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The weed interference is one the major factors affecting the growth, productivity a soybean grain quality. So, this research was carried out aiming to evaluate the effects of crescent weed periods, since the soybean emergence, on soybean productivity, estimate the PAI value and study the dominance of nutrients from weeds and soybean for the experimental conditions. The experiment was conducted on "Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico típico de textura argilosa" soil, and arranged in a completely randomized blocks experimental design with twelve replications. The treatments consisted in different weedy periods beginning in the soybean emergence until 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, 70 days and until the crop harvesting. The soybean cv. "M-SOY 8045RR", was sowed in row spacing of 0.45m and reaching a population of 400.000 plants/ha. The weed community had the Acanthospermum hispidum as the major relative importance population, due to it numeric and biomass relevance. The community showed the similar values of diversity and equitability index through out the soybean cycle, although there was two similarity groups in the weed community evolution. The first group was composed by evaluations realized until 21 days and was characterized by the relative equilibrium involving the main populations. The second group had a clear predominance of Acanthospermum hispidum population and involved the evaluations realized at 28, 35, 42, 56, 70 days and at the soybean harvesting. The soybean dry mass, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium relative dominance was reduced until 35 - 42 days comparing to weeds. Afterwards, the crop increased those relative dominances, keeping high predominance on nutrients uptake. The sulfur relative dominance was highly predominant in soybean comparing to weeds, but it was intensively decreased between seven and 28 days, increasing it... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Mestre

No description available.

O Brasil é o maior produtor de laranja do mundo e, embora o cultivo ocorra em todos os estados brasileiros, o Estado de São Paulo é o maior produtor, responsável por 80% da produção nacional. Dentre as doenças que podem limitar a produção dos citros encontra-se a podridão floral do citros (PFC), causada pelo fungo Colletotrichum acutatum J. H. Simmonds. Os sintomas desta doença são caracterizados pela presença de lesões necróticas marrons ou alaranjadas nas pétalas e queda dos frutos recém formados, os cálices e os pedúnculos permanecem retidos nos ramos. Em citros, C. acutatum pode sobreviver aderido à superfície das folhas, na forma de apressório quiescente, por pelo menos um mês. As plantas daninhas podem atuar como hospedeiras alternativas de diversos patógenos, servindo como fontes de inóculo e desempenhando um importante papel na epidemiologia das doenças. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se plantas daninhas, comuns em pomares de citros no Estado de São Paulo, podem servir como fonte de inóculo de C. acutatum para esta cultura. Sete espécies de plantas daninhas foram inoculadas com uma suspensão de conídios de C. acutatum, calibrada a 105 conídios/mL. Após a inoculação, estas foram mantidas em câmara úmida por 36 horas e, em seguida, amostras de todas as plantas foram coletadas e observadas em microscópio óptico para verificar a germinação dos conídios. Trinta, sessenta e noventa dias após as inoculações realizou-se o isolamento de C. acutatum das folhas inoculadas. Para isso, amostras de folhas de cada espécie de planta daninha foram coletadas, desinfestadas superficialmente e transferidas para placas de Petri, onde receberam 70 L de extrato floral de citros sobre o local da inoculação, para estimular a germinação dos apressórios ali presentes. As folhas permaneceram incubadas por 24 horas a 23°C, com fotoperíodo de 12 h. Após esse período, as áreas inoculadas das folhas foram cortadas e transferidas para placas de poliestireno contendo meio de Martin. Após o surgimento das primeiras colônias de C. acutatum, discos de quatro milímetros de diâmetro foram transferidos para meio BDA, para a obtenção de colônias puras. Em seguida foi realizado um teste de patogenicidade em flores de laranja doce de três anos de idade. Os dados de porcentagem de isolamento foram analisados análise de variância e testes não paramétricos. Foram observadas a germinação e a formação de apressórios de C. acutatum na superfície de todas as folhas inoculadas, após 36 horas de câmara úmida. Não houve diferença estatística na sobrevivência de C. acutatum ao longo dos 30, 60 e 90 dias e não foi observado nenhum tipo de sintoma nas folhas inoculadas. C. acutatum foi isolado de todas as plantas daninhas analisadas, embora o tempo de sobrevivência tenha variado em função da espécie de daninha. Todos os isolados obtidos das plantas daninhas apresentaram sintomas típicos de PFC em todas as flores inoculadas. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que as plantas daninhas avaliadas podem servir como hospedeiras alternativas de C. acutatum, resultando em fonte de inóculo primário e secundário deste patógeno para a cultura do citros. / Brazil is the major orange producer in the world, and although the cropping occurs all over the Brazilian States, the São Paulo State is the major producer, responsible for 80% of the national production. Postbloom fruit drop (PFD), caused by the fungus Colletotrichum acutatum J. H. Simmonds is an important disease that can cause yield reduction. The symptoms of this disease are characterized by the presence of brown or orange necrotic lesions in the petals and the drop of young fruits; the calyces and peduncles remain in the branches after fruit drop. In citrus, C. acutatum can adhered to the surface of the leaves, in the form of quiescent appressoria, for at least one month. The weeds can act as alternative hosts of diverse pathogens, serving as inoculum sources and playing an important role in the disease epidemiology. The purpose of this research was to verify if weeds, commons in citrus orchards in São Paulo State, may serve as inoculum source of C. acutatum for this crop. Seven weed species were inoculated with a conidial suspension of C. acutatum, calibrated with 105 conidia/mL. After the inoculation, the weeds were kept in humidity chamber for 36 hours. Samples of all weeds were collected and observed in optical microscope to verify the conidia germination. Thirty, sixty and ninety days after inoculation, C. acutatum was isolated from the inoculated leaves. For this purpose, leaves of each weed species were collected, superficially disinfested and transferred to Petri dishes. The leaves received 70 L of citrus flower extract over the inoculation area to stimulate the appressoria germination. The leaves were incubated for 24 hours at 23°C, with 12 hours of photoperiod. After this period, the inoculated areas were cut and transferred to polystyrene dishes with Martin medium. After the appearance of the first colonies of C. acutatum, discs of four millimeters of diameter were transferred to PDA medium to obtain pure colonies. A pathogenicity test was carried out in three years old sweet orange flowers. The percentage of pathogen isolation was analyzed by variance analysis or non-parametric analysis. Conidia germination and appressoria formation of C. acutatum in all inoculated leaves were observed, after 36 hours of humidity chamber. There was no statistical difference in the C. acutatum survival during 30, 60 e 90 days and no type of symptom was observed in the inoculated leaves. C. acutatum was isolated from every weed analyzed, although the survival period varied among the weed species. Every isolated obtained from the weeds presented typical PFD symptoms in every inoculated flowers. The results showed that weeds can serve as alternative hosts of C. acutatum, contributing in primary and secondary inoculum source of this pathogen to the citrus crop.