Sosnowsky's hogweed

Sosnowsky's hogweed is a very large (up to 3 meters) biennial or perennial plant of the Apiaceae family. The plant releases a transparent phototoxic sap, which causes burns when it comes into contact with human skin and is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Sosnowsky's hogweed poses a threat to human health and causes environmental problems, as its rapidly developing population displaces other plants and maintains a dominant position in occupied territories.

In Belarus, it grows on fallow land, field margins, and roadsides as a wild or introduced plant, forming large thickets in some places. In its habitats, it almost completely displaces native vegetation, forming plant communities that are uncharacteristic in composition and appearance for our territory. Sosnowsky's hogweed can grow everywhere, in all soil and climatic zones of the republic. It is most often found along roads (from major highways to small forest paths), as well as adjacent areas (ditches, slopes, etc.)

Various methods can be used to combat Sosnowsky's hogweed, the main ones being manual and mechanical, which include digging up and destroying rootstocks, cutting or mowing plants, and removing inflorescences.

Recommended timing for destroying Sosnowsky's hogweed: manual method (before flowering, early spring and mid-summer) and mechanical destruction (at least 2-3 times per season, preventing flowering and seed formation), mowing (at least 3 times per season, from spring until the plant begins to flower), plowing (before flowering followed by disking, at least 4 times per season), sowing with grass mixtures or forest crops.

Improving the phytosanitary situation solely by manual and mechanical methods is labor-intensive and requires significant costs, therefore the use of herbicides is of great practical importance. Effective treatment with pesticides "Tersan", "Grader", "Buran", "Super" is carried out in early spring, if the plant height does not exceed 30 centimeters, and in summer after mowing.