International Ragweed Society

Ragweed section, initiated by IRS was carried out within the World Aerobiology Congress. It was held in Vilnius, Lithuania from July 1-5, 2024. Ragweed-devoted section gathered 6 outstanding works which discussed ragweed ecology and health impact including those caused by pollen migration.

The study “Association of Ragweed Pollen Episodes in Lithuania with Atmospheric Circulation Patterns” by Ingrida Šaulienė, Gintautas Stankūnavičius, and Laura Šukienė found that Vilnius recorded higher frequencies and concentrations of ragweed pollen compared to other Lithuanian cities over 15 years. Utilizing volumetric Hirst pollen traps and the Hess and Brezowsky atmospheric circulation classification, they identified specific weather patterns, such as Central European Troughs, as conducive to high pollen levels. Understanding these patterns helps predict high-risk pollen episodes.

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The IRS General Assembly took place during the World Aerobiology Congress presenting an extensive agenda to its members. The World Aerobiology was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva in Vilnius, Lithuania, from July 1-5, 2024.

The IRS meeting was chaired by its President Prof László Makra.

The IRS assembly’s agenda included the approval of the minutes from the previous General Assembly, reports on IRS activities, a comprehensive membership overview, and the financial report for 2022, 2023, and 2024 presented by Roberto Albertini. Additionally, Franziska Zemmer delivered the IRS Auditor’s report.

Both reports confirmed no financial problems with a positive financial balance on the IRS Bank account.

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The General Assembly of IRS proclaimed in 2011 that the first Saturday of the summer will be The International Ragweed Day (IRD), to increase understanding and awareness of the problem this invasive weed causes all over the world.

The day was chosen because it is early in the growing season of the plant thereby gives enough time for preparations and actions.

This year, the International Ragweed Day will be on June 22nd. Do not hesitate to share with IRS president (MakraLaszlo@szte.hu) actions and events which will take place in your country!

In France, like every year, ragweed days take place from June 15 to 30, with ragweed-related events organized throughout the country.

This is an opportunity for various organizations to create events to inform and raise awareness of the health, environmental and agricultural problems due to ragweed. Information meetings, training courses, exhibitions, exchanges, collective uprooting, youth activities… Every year, there are a wide variety of events during this period.

The French ragweed observatory will be publishing two new tools:

– a guide to help farmers manage ragweed in agricultural environments (intended for ragweed referents). This guide is designed to familiarize users with the specific problems of ragweed in the agricultural environment, and to suggest management strategies for certain frequently encountered situations.

– a video to help people recognize smooth ragweed!

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