Twenty-eight participants completed SEAMEO BIOTROP’s National Training Course on the Management of Weeds and Invasive Alien Plant Species  held on 9-14 April 2012 at the Centre’s headquarter in Bogor, Indonesia.

The training course was generally aimed at providing recent developments on weeds and invasive alien plant species as well as their various control approaches. At the end of the course, the participants were expected to (1) Explain  the concepts of biological invasion of weeds and invasive plants  and their impact on the welfare of  production systems and biodiversity; (2) Carry out simple experiments on identification and control techniques of weeds/invasive plant species leading to its management; and (3) Conduct small group desk research on a subject matter of their choice related to the training.

Topics discussed during the training course included Concept of Weeds and Invasive Alien Plant Species, Overview on the Convention on Biological Diversity; Plant Biosystematics and Identification; Biology, Ecology and Population Dynamics; Control and Management Techniques (physical, chemical biological  and intergrated controls) of weeds and invasive alien plant species; Weeds and Agriculture Quarantine Aspects; and Risk Analysis.  Resource persons of the course were BIOTROP scientists, lecturers from Bogor Agricultural University, staff from Chemical Companies and Indonesian Agriculture Quarantine Service.

Field trips were conducted at Gunung Mas Tea Plantation and Cikasungka Oil palm plantation in Bogor which enabled the participants to actually observe herbicide application trial at plantation level.

As a major course requirement, the participants conducted group projects on the following concerns, namely: (1) Quarantine Weeds  (2)  Weed Competition,  and (3)  Vegetation Analysis after herbicide treatment at tea plantation.  Project results were presented toward the end of the course.  The projects served as a way for the participants to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired from the course.

The participants were from universities, Plantation companies, Research Institutions, Quarantine Service agencies, National Parks, Botanical Gardens and NGO engaged in weed control.

 The training course was led by Dr. Sri S. Tjitrosoedirdjo, BIOTROP scientist.