Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-gq7q9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T03:49:43.606Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Pushing toward Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) Patch Eradication: The Influence of Herbicide Treatment and Application Timing on Cogongrass Rhizome Elimination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Jatinder S. Aulakh ,
Stephen F. Enloe ,
Nancy J. Loewenstein ,
Andrew J. Price ,
Glenn Wehtje  and
James H. Miller
Jatinder S. Aulakh*
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
Stephen F. Enloe
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
Nancy J. Loewenstein
Affiliation:
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn AL 36849
Andrew J. Price
Affiliation:
National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 411 South Donahue Drive, Auburn, AL 36852
Glenn Wehtje
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
James H. Miller
Affiliation:
G. W. Andrews Forestry Sciences Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 521 Devall Drive, Auburn, AL 36849
*
Corresponding author's email: jsa0005@tigermail.auburn.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Cogongrass, an invasive grass native to Asia, has infested thousands of hectares in the southeastern United States. Although numerous studies have examined cogongrass control, no published studies, to our knowledge, have tested strategies for cogongrass eradication. Cogongrass has a persistent, thick rhizome mat but an ephemeral seedbank; therefore, successful eradication methods must largely focus on the rhizomes. A field study to evaluate specific herbicide treatments and application timings for cogongrass patch eradication was conducted at two locations in southwestern Alabama. Herbicide treatments included glyphosate at 4.48 kg ai ha−1, imazapyr at 0.84 kg ai ha−1, and a tank mix of glyphosate and imazapyr at the same rates. Treatments were applied in May, August, or October for 3 consecutive yr, and the May glyphosate treatment included a second annual application each October. Cogongrass visual control, shoot biomass, rhizome biomass, rhizome depth, and total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) content were sampled during the course of the study. Cogongrass response to treatments varied by location but by 36 mo after initial treatment (MAIT), complete elimination of cogongrass shoot and rhizome biomass and 100% visual control was achieved in several herbicide treatment–timing combinations at both locations. These included glyphosate plus imazapyr at any application timing, imazapyr in August or October, and glyphosate applied in May and October each year. TNC levels of surviving healthy rhizomes were not affected by herbicide treatments, but a seasonal pattern was observed. The maximum live-rhizome depth was not influenced by any treatment, indicating that herbicides were not preferentially leaving deeper, surviving rhizomes. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that the entire rhizome layer of cogongrass can be eliminated within 3 yr with multiple treatment options and that cogongrass patch eradication is possible for many land managers.

Keywords

Glyphosateglyphosate plus imazapyrimazapyrcogongrass, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. IMPCYCogongrassapplication timingeradicationherbiciderhizome elimination
Type
Research Article
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , September 2014 , pp. 398 - 407
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Akobundu, IO (1993) Chemical control of cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel] in arable fields. Pages 6 in Proceedings of Weed Science Society of America. Champaign, IL WSSA Google Scholar
Ayeni, AO (1985) Observations on the vegetative growth patterns of speargrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.]. Agric Ecosyst Environ 13:301–307 Google Scholar
Bryson, CT, Carter, R (1993) Cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica, in the United States. Weed Technol 7:1005–1009 Google Scholar
Bryson, CT, Krutz, LJ, Ervin, GN, Reddy, KN, Byrd, JD Jr (2010) Ecotype variability and edaphic characteristics for cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) populations in Mississippi. Invasive Plant Sci Manage 3:199–207 Google Scholar
Byrd, JD Jr (2007) What works on cogongrass and what does not: a summary of nearly 10 years of cogongrass research in Mississippi. Pages 28–31 in Lowenstein, NJ, Miller, JH, eds. Proceedings of the Regional Cogongrass Conference: A Cogongrass Management Guide. Mobile, AL Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University Google Scholar
Byrd, JD Jr, Bryson, CT (1999) Biology, ecology, and control of cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.]. Mississippi State, MS Bureau of Plant Industry, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Fact Sheet 1999-01. 2 pGoogle Scholar
Capo-chichi, LJA, Faircloth, WH, Williamson, AG, Patterson, MG, Miller, JH, van Santen, E (2008) Invasion dynamics and genotypic diversity of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) at the point introduction in the southeastern United States. Invasive Plant Sci Manage 1:133–141 Google Scholar
Dewey, SA, Jenkins, MJ, Tonioli, RC (1995) Wildfire suppression—a paradigm for noxious weed management. Weed Technol 9:621–627 Google Scholar
Dickens, R (1976) Weed watch—cogongrass. Weeds Today 7:5 Google Scholar
Dozier, H, Gaffney, JF, McDonald, SK, Johnson, ERRL, Shilling, DG (1998) Cogongrass in the United States: history, ecology, impacts, and management. Weed Technol 12:737–743 Google Scholar
Enloe, SF, Belcher, J, Loewenstein, N, Aulakh, JS, van Santen, E (2012) Cogongrass control with aminocyclopyrachlor in pastures. Forage Grazinglands. DOI:10.1094/FG-2012-0828-02-RSGoogle Scholar
Eplee, RE (2001) Coordination of witchweed eradication in the USA. Pages 36 in Wittenberg, R, Cock, MJW, eds. Invasive alien species: a toolkit of best prevention and management practices. Wallingford, UK CAB International Google Scholar
Eussen, JHH (1980) Biological and ecological aspects of Alang-Alang [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.]. Pages 15–22 in Proceedings of BIOTROP Workshop on Alang-Alang. Bogor, Indonesia SEAMEO-BIOTROP Google Scholar
Faircloth, WH, Patterson, MG, Miller, JH, Teem, DH (2005) Wanted dead or alive: cogongrass. Auburn, AL Alabama Cooperative Extension Publication ANR-1241. 4 pGoogle Scholar
Falvey, JL (1981) Imperata cylindrica and animal production in southeastern Asia: a review. Trop Grassl 15:52–56 Google Scholar
Flint, E, Rehkemper, C (2002) Control and eradication of the introduced grass, Cenchrus echinatus, at Laysan Island, Central Pacific Ocean. Pages 110–115 in Veitch, CR, Clout, MN, eds. Turning the Tide: The Eradication of Invasive Species. Auckland, New Zealand Invasive Species Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Google Scholar
Harding, VJ, Downs, CE (1933) Notes on a Shaffer–Somogyi copper reagent. J Biol Chem 101:487–492 Google Scholar
Holm, LG, Pucknett, DL, Pancho, JB, Herberger, JP (1977) The World's Worst Weeds: Distribution and Biology. Honolulu University Press of Hawaii. 609 pGoogle Scholar
Hopkins, MS, Graham, AW (1984) Viable soil seed banks in disturbed lowland tropical rainforest sites in North Queensland. Aust J Ecol 9:71–79 Google Scholar
Johnson, ERRL, Gaffney, JF, Shilling, DG (1999) The influence of discing on the efficacy of imazapyr for cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.] control. Pages 165 in Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society. Washington, DC SWSS Google Scholar
Johnson, ERRL, Shilling, DG, MacDonald, GE, Gaffney, JF, Brecke, BJ (2000) Time of year, rate of herbicide application, and revegetation: Factors that influence the control of cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.] control. Pages 70 in Proceedings of the Southern Weed Science Society. Tulsa, OK SWSS Google Scholar
Jose, S, Cox, J, Miller, DL, Shilling, DG, Merritt, S (2002) Alien plant invasions: the story of cogongrass in southeastern forests. J Forestry 100:41–44 Google Scholar
Kushwaha, SPS, Chancellor, PS, Tripathi, RS (1983) Population dynamics of Imperata cylindrica var. major related to slash and burn agriculture Jhum in northeastern India. Proc Indian Acad Sci Plant Sci 92:313–322 Google Scholar
Lippincott, CL (2000) Effects of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. (cogongrass) invasion on fire regime in Florida sandhill. Nat Area J 20:140–149 Google Scholar
MacDonald, GE, Johnson, ERRL, Shilling, DG, Miller, DL, Brecke, BJ (2002) The use of imazapyr and imazapic for cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.] control. Pages 110 in Proceedings of the Southern Weed Science Society. Atlanta, GA SWSS Google Scholar
MacDonald, GE (2004) Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)— biology, ecology, and management. Crit Rev Plant Sci 23:367–380 Google Scholar
Merkel & Associates, Inc (2006) Final report on the eradication of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia from Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Huntington Harbour, California. San Diego Southern California Caulerpa Action Team. 82 pGoogle Scholar
Miller, JH (2000) Refining rates and treatment sequences for cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) control with imazapyr and glyphosate. Pages 131–132 in Proceedings of the Southern Weed Science Society. Tulsa, OK SWSS Google Scholar
Miller, JH (2007) What research has found about establishing loblolly pines in cogongrass infestations. Pages 43–47 in Loewenstein, NJ, Miller, JH, eds. Proceedings of the Regional Cogongrass Conference: A Cogongrass Management Guide. Mobile, AL Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University Google Scholar
Minogue, JP, Miller, JH, Lauer, DK (2012) Use of glyphosate and imazapyr for cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) management in southern pine forests. South J Appl For 36:19–25 Google Scholar
Newsom, LD (1978) Eradication of plant pests-con. Bull Entomol Soc Am 24:35–40 Google Scholar
Omezine, A, Skiri-Harzalla, F (2009) Regenerative capacity of speargrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. Pak J Weed Sci Res 15:53–69 Google Scholar
Patterson, DT, McWhorter, CG (1980) Distribution and control of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Mississippi. Pages 251 in Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Southern Weed Science Society. Las Cruces, NM SWSS Google Scholar
Patterson, DT, Terrell, EE, Dickens, R (1983) Cogongrass in Mississippi. Mississippi State, MS Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station Research Report 46. Pp 1–3 Google Scholar
Ramsey, CL, Jose, S, Miller, DL, Cox, J, Portier, KM, Shilling, DG, Merritt, S (2003) Cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.] response to herbicides and disking on a cutover site in a mid-rotation pine plantation in southern USA. Forest Ecol Manage 179:195–209 Google Scholar
Reineke, LH (1933) Perfecting a stand-density index for even-aged forests. J Agric Res 46:627–638 Google Scholar
Santiago, A (1974) Morphological and Experimental studies on Imperata Species. In Eussen JHH, Biological and Ecological aspects of alang-alang [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.]. Paper on Workshop on alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica). July 1976. Bogor, IndonesiaGoogle Scholar
Santiago, A (1980) Gene ecological aspects of the Imperata weed and practical implications. Pages 23–24 in Proceedings of the BIOTROP Workshop on Alang-Alang. Bogor, Indonesia SEAMEO-BIOTROP Google Scholar
Sajise, PE (1972) Evaluation of Cogon (Imperata cylindrica L.) Beauv.) as a Seral Stage in Philippine Vegetational Succession, I: The Cogonal Seral Stage and Plant Succession, II: Autecological Studies on Cogon. Ph.D. dissertation. Ithaca, NY Cornell University. 152 pGoogle Scholar
Shilling, DG, Bewick, TA, Gaffney, JF, McDonald, SK, Chase, CA, Johnson, ERRL (1997) Ecology, Physiology, and Management of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica): Final Report. Bartow, FL Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute. 128 pGoogle Scholar
Soerjani, M (1970) Alang-Alang Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv., pattern of growth as related to its problem of control. Biol Trop Bull 1:88–96 Google Scholar
Terry, PJ, Adjers, G, Akobundu, IO, Anoka, AU, Drilling, ME, Tjitrosemito, S, Utomo, M (1997) Herbicides and mechanical control of Imperata cylindrica as a first step in grassland rehabilitation. Agrofor Syst 36:151–179 Google Scholar
Udensi, UE, Akobundu, IO, Ayeni, AO, Chikoye, D (1999) Management of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) with velvetbean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) and herbicides. Weed Technol 13:201–208 Google Scholar
Van Loan, AN, Meeker, JR, Minno, MC (2002) Cogongrass. In Van Driesche, R, ed. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States 2002–2004. Morgantown, WV U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Publication FHTET-202-04. 413 p Google Scholar
Wilcut, JW, Truelove, B, Davis, DE, Williams, JC (1988) Temperature factors limiting the spread of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) and torpedograss (Panicum repens). Weed Sci 36:49–55 Google Scholar
Willard, TR (1988) Biology, Ecology and Management of Cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.]. Ph.D Dissertation. Gainesville, FL University of Florida. 113 pGoogle Scholar
Willard, TR, Gaffney, JF, Shilling, DG (1997) Influence of herbicide combinations and application technology on cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) control. Weed Technol 11:76–80 Google Scholar
Willard, TR, Hall, DW, Shilling, DG, Lewis, JA, Currey, WL (1990) Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) distribution on Florida highway rights-of-way. Weed Technol 4:658–660 Google Scholar
Wittenberg, R, Cock, MJW, eds. (2001) Invasive Alien Species: A Toolkit of Best Prevention and Management Practices. Wallingford, Oxon, UK CAB International. Pp xvii–228 Google Scholar
Yoda, K, Kira, T, Ogawa, H, Hozumi, K (1963) Self-thinning in crowded pure stands under cultivated and natural conditions. J Inst Polytech Osaka City Univ 14:107–129 Google Scholar
Zamora, DL, Thill, DC, Eplee, RE (1989) An eradication plan for plant invasions. Weed Technol 3:2–12 Google Scholar