Witchweed [(Striga asiatica (L.) O. Kuntze)] is a parasitic weed from Asia and Africa that attaches to the roots of grasses and grass crops such as corn and sorghum. Witchweed was first detected in the western hemisphere in a corn field in Columbus County, North Carolina, in July, 1956. Since that time, a federal/state cooperative program has eliminated over 99% of the 432,000+ acres that have been found infested with witchweed in the eastern Carolinas. This chapter provides an overview of the USDA-Carolinas Witchweed Eradication Program, as well as the methods and procedures that have been employed to achieve this remarkable level of success.

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Over the past several thousand years, Man has moved many plant species far beyond their historical native range. Many introduced plants that have become established outside of cultivation are benign (so far). However, some introduced species with free-living populations pose a threat to the biodiversity of natural areas and/or diminish the production capacity of managed or agricultural ecosystems. In the United States, 16 federal agencies have formed the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW). This committee has developed a National Strategy for Invasive Plant Management. Goals of the national strategy are: weed prevention, weed control, and restoration of degraded lands. Research, education, and partnerships are critical to the success of the strategy. Regulatory strategies to protect the United States and other countries from invasive plants include: production of weed-free commodities in exporting countries; preclearance of risk commodities at foreign ports of export; port of entry inspections; and finally, early detection, containment, and eradication, of incipient infestations before they spread. Currently, 10 federal noxious weeds are being eradicated from localized sites in the United States through cooperative projects with affected states.

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