species, escape from specific microbial enemies likely favored the remarkable success of common ragweed as an invasive species. Common ragweed is a very competitive weed and can produce yield losses in soybeans as high as 30 percent. Control with night tillage reduces emergence by around 45 percent. Small grains in rotation will also suppress common ragweed if they are overseeded with clover. Otherwise, the ragweed will grow and mature and produce seeds in the small grain stubble. Its wind-blown pollen is highly allergenic. Ragweed control several herbicides were effective against common ragweed, although resistant populations were known to exist. In 2007 several Ambrosia artemisiifolia populations were glyphosate resistant, exclusively in the USA. the ragweed leaf beetle, Ophraella communa, has been found south of the Alps in southern Switzerland and northern Italy. Many of the attacked plants were completely defoliated. Zygogramma suturalis was introduced to Russia, and then China, for ragweed control, with very positive initial results. SMARTER is a European interdisciplinary network of experts involved in the control of ragweed, health care professionals, aerobiologists, ecologists, economists, and atmospheric and agricultural modellers. Chemical composition, and uses Sesquiterpene lactones and molluscicide Three sesquiterpene lactones isolated from the aerial parts of Ambrosia artemisiifolia were identified as psilostachyin A, psilostachyin B and psilostachyin C. All of them have some molluscicidal activity against the small tropical freshwater snail Oncomelania hupensis. Medicinal Ambrosia artemisiifolia has been a traditional medicinal plant for Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Lakota, Iroquois, Dakota, and Delaware. Phytoremediation Ambrosia artemisiifolia is used in phytoremediation projects remediating soil pollution, for removing heavy metals such as lead from contaminated soil. Gallery References External links Calflora Database: Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Annual ragweed, Common ragweed, Low ragweed)—non-native/naturalized species in California Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Ambrosia artemisiifolia—non-native/naturalized species in California UC CalPhotos gallery: Ambrosia artemisiifolia artemisiifolia Flora of Canada Flora of the Northeastern United States Flora of the North-Central United States Flora of the United States Flora of the Southeastern United States Flora of the Caribbean Flora of southern South America Flora of western South America Flora of the Appalachian Mountains Flora of the Great Lakes region (North America) Flora of the Great Plains (North America) Plants used in traditional Native American medicine Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Phytoremediation plants