Integrating 2,4-D and sheep grazing to rehabilitate spotted knapweed infestations
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Authors: R. L. Sheley, J. S. Jacobs, and J. M. Martin
Date: 2004
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 57
Number: 4
Pages: 371-375
Summary of Methods: A 4 year study examined four treatments (spring herbicide only, repeated sheep grazing only, spring herbicide and repeated sheep grazing though out the summer, no herbicide or grazing) to control spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) populations at two sites in Western Montana. The first site was along Bitterroot River near Missoula, MT (46.83° N, 114.05° W) and the second site was on the flood plain of the Clark Fork River near Drummond, MT (46.79° N, 113.20° W). Utilization levels were set at 95% for knapweed and 60% for grass. Density, biomass and percent cover for spotted knapweed and grass were measured before, during and after the study was completed.
Article Summary / Main Points:
• The combined use of herbicide application in the spring followed by repeated sheep grazing caused a decrease in weed density, cover and biomass, while allowing grass regrowth in the previously weed infested area.
• Grass cover increased when herbicide was applied and when herbicide and grazing were used together, because of the reduction of weed competition by the herbicide application.
• Herbicide application in the spring shifted the weed plant population from mature plants to younger plants, which were more palatable to sheep resulting in increased control of the weed population.Vegetation Types: Other (includes Forest and Eastern) Ponderosa Pine Woodlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 43B Central Rocky Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: centaurea maculosa, noxious rangelands weeds, integrated weed management, grazing weeds, sheep utilization, weed density, range improvement, targeted grazing
Annotation: This is a relevant study illustrating that combining to forms of weed control (herbicide and grazing) yields the most desirable results for weed control.
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