Quarantine imposed in another Rostov region district due to ambrose outbreak.
In the regions of Rostov and Krasnodar in southern Russia, authorities have been implementing integrated strategies to manage ambrosia infestations, a notorious agricultural weed and major allergen.
Since the onset of summer, a phytosanitary regime has been enforced in various districts of the Rostov region due to ambrosia infestations. In the Krasnodar region, a quarantine has been imposed in the aul of Agui-Shapsug in the Tuapse district and the Kamenolomnenskoye settlement, with restrictions on moving seed material, sowing and storing seeds and grains contaminated with ambrosia and other weeds.
The strategy to control ambrosia involves integrated management, combining herbicide rotation and mixtures, mechanical tillage, cultural practices, and systematic field monitoring to reduce infestation intensity and delay herbicide resistance. This approach aims to mitigate both public health and agricultural impacts.
Herbicide application with rotation and mixture strategies is a key control measure. Rotating or tank-mixing Group 2 and Group 14 herbicides is advised to minimize resistance in ambrosia populations. Incorporating tillage or other mechanical control practices alongside herbicides helps reduce weed seed banks, while cultural practices such as adjusting crop seeding rates and precision fertilizer application can favor crops over ambrosia, reducing its competitiveness.
Resistance management is critical. Repeated use of the same herbicide group should be avoided to prevent dominance of resistant plants in the field. Monitoring for herbicide-resistant ambrosia biotypes is essential to ensure the effectiveness of control measures.
In the Rostov region, a 58.1-hectare ambrosia hotspot was discovered in the Kamenolomnenskoye settlement of the Oktyabrsky district. Mass quarantines have been initiated, leading to crop losses due to drought, which could reach 25%. Landowners are required to localize and eliminate the weed population during the quarantine period.
Coordinated regional efforts may include mapping infestations and early intervention, although specific regional policies were not detailed in the current search results. The general integrated weed management guidelines are applicable and recommended by international pesticide regulatory bodies such as the US EPA.
For those suffering from pollinosis, a chronic disease caused by plant pollen, the Krasnodar Ministry of Health has published advice. This includes cleaning living spaces with a damp cloth, avoiding windy days, using air purifiers, and wearing protective masks and sunglasses.
Yandex Pогода launched a service for allergy sufferers called "Pollen Activity" in March, providing information about pollen levels in the air. However, no new information about this service has been provided recently.
The number of allergies in the Krasnodar region increases by 2-3 thousand people each year, with one in three residents suffering from pollinosis. As the ambrosia pollen season begins in the second half of July, it is crucial for residents to stay informed and follow the recommended precautions to minimize health risks.
[1] Integrated Weed Management Strategies for Ambrosia Artemisiifolia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4797398/ [5] US EPA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/ambrosia-artemisiifolia-common-ragweed
- User should consider adopting fitness-and-exercise routines and prioritizing mental-health activities to build resilience against the increased stress and anxiety that may result from climate-change induced pollen allergens like ambrosia.
- Given the ongoing ambrosia infestations in southern Russia, it is essential for environmental-science researchers to collaborate with health-and-wellness professionals to develop strategies addressing the public health impacts of agricultural weeds and climate-change.
- In continuation with integrated strategies to manage ambrosia infestations, local authorities could explore additional measures such as implementing clean-energy solutions in farming practices to create a healthier and more sustainable environment.
