Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

How can grass weed seedlings be identified?

1. Flowers

2. Nodes

3. Ligules

4. Seeds

The correct answer is: Ligules

Identifying grass weed seedlings often relies on the presence of ligules, which are specialized structures found at the junction of the leaf blade and leaf sheath in grasses. Ligules can be distinguished by their shape, size, and texture, helping to differentiate between various grass species. This characteristic is particularly useful for identifying and managing grass weeds in agricultural settings, as different species may have distinct ligule types. While flowers and seeds are typically more associated with mature plants, and nodes refer to the points on stems where leaves attach and are not as easily assessed in seedlings, ligules offer a reliable and visible characteristic that can be evaluated soon after germination. Thus, ligules serve as key identifiers for understanding grass weed populations and implementing appropriate control measures.