II° EWRS weed seedling identification course in Lleida, Spain

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Posted on March 25th, 2025 on 14:53:59 by A. Royo Esnal

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Between 19 and 21 March 2025 we organized the II International Weed Seedling Identification course at the UdL, with 12 participants from several countries.

Last week, between 19^th and 21^st March, we had the II International Weed Seedling Identification course, which was organized by the University of Lleida, under the auspicious of the EWRS and the support of the Spanish Weed Science Society (SEMh).

There were 12 participants from (Colombia, Greece, Iran, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, UK/Sweden), of which eight were students and four professors or postdocs. The EWRS awarded five students and early career scientists (postdocs) with subsidies for the trip and accommodation of the participants.

Figure 1: Lecture by Professor Jordi Recasens 

The course started on 19^th March in the morning, with an opening (Aritz Royo-Esnal) and followed with a first lecture as introduction of what our University and our Research Group are, and the importance of knowing weeds at early stage, which was imparted by Professor Jordi Recasens. Then, we started with the theory session about the characteristics we must focus on to identify monocotyledonous weeds (Joel Torra).

Figure 2: Participants and professors of the course, together with members of the Weed Science and Plant Ecology Research Group from the UdL 

After the coffee break, we followed with the theory part for the characteristics to be considered for the identification of dicotyledonous weed species (Aritz Royo-Esnal). After lunch, we followed with a field excursion to the University experimental fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 3: Dr Joel Torra in the experimental fields of the UdL looking at weed seedlings 

 

On 20^th March, we had the practical lab sessions. First, the participants had the opportunity to see, touch or smell seedlings of 10 monocotyledonous weed species, and after the coffee break, we observed and commented seedlings of 23 dicotyledonous weed species. In the afternoon, we went to visit commercial fields in the surroundings of Lleida, with a first stop in an irrigated field, and a second one in a dryland field.

Figure 4: Pubescent hypocotile of Sinapis alba - Figure 5: Haired margin of Vulpia ciliata leaf 

Finally, on 21^st March, with a heavy rain weather, we visited irrigated fields and came back to the University for the closure of the course by midday.

Figure 6: Practical session for the identification of dicotyledonous weeds

 

 

Figure 7: Field excursion to the irrigated field  

 

Figure 8: Field excursion to a second irrigated field

 

Figure 9: group photo in the last day excursion

In general, we had the opportunity to observe seedlings of many weed species, with winter weeds still emerging with the humid and fresh weather, while the early emerging summer weed species were also present. We had even be able to observe some rare weed species in the dryland field, although these were not the target of the present course.

Figure 10: Capsella bursa-pastoris (green seedling) and Veronica polita (purple seedlings)

Figure 11: Sonchus oleraceus

Figure 12: Chenopodium album (left) and Atriplex prostrata (right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to the EWRS for promoting these kinds of courses, and to the SEMh for its support. Thanks also to technicians and students that contributed to prepare the practical sessions and to organize different aspects of the course, and, of course, thank you to all participants. We had very good time, with excellent mood and excellent people.

 

 

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