Distribution of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) in the territory of Obrenovac municipality [Serbia]

• Published in: Acta Herbologica (Serbia) Vol. 18; no. 2
• Main Authors: Stankovic-Kalezic, R., Institut za pesticide i zastitu zivotne sredine, Beograd (Serbia), Jovanovic, V., Institut za pesticide i zastitu zivotne sredine, Beograd (Serbia), Janjic, V., Institut za pesticide i zastitu zivotne sredine, Beograd (Serbia), Radivojevic, Lj., Institut za pesticide i zastitu zivotne sredine, Beograd (Serbia), Santric, Lj., Institut za pesticide i zastitu zivotne sredine, Beograd (Serbia), Gajic-Umiljendic, J., Institut za pesticide i zastitu zivotne sredine, Beograd (Serbia)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Serbian
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: AMBROSIA; DISTRIBUCION ESPACIAL; DISTRIBUCION GEOGRAFICA; DISTRIBUTION GEOGRAPHIQUE; DISTRIBUTION SPATIALE; GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_36230; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_49909; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5083; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_8758; SERBIA; SERBIE; SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
• ISSN: 0354-4311

Common ragweed was recorded on 1034 sites in a total area of 655 ha during a floristic survey of the territory of Obrenovac municipality, Serbia. Especially alarming is the fact that nearly half of the examined sites, i.e. total of 470 (45.45%), constitute foci for further ragweed expansion as the species covers over 50% of total surface (evaluation point 4) in those sites. Stubbles were evidently the most frequent habitat of common ragweed, accounting for 81.16% of all weedy surface (531 ha) in the territory of Obrenovac municipality. A relatively small area infested by common ragweed might mislead one into believing that threat is not great in those sites. Upon examining the number of weedy sites, however, a different picture emerges as their number is highest in ruderal habitats (450). A total of 303 weedy sites were recorded along roads that have small surface size but considerable length, and as such become an important factor for common ragweed spreadig. The level of weediness in Obrenovac municipality is further indicated by the sporadic but sufficiently high frequency of common ragweed in meadows. It demonstrates that, despite being a pioneer plant species and a relatively new one in the region, it has already become a successful compatitor against autochthonous plants under regular ecological conditions.