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Herbicidal Suppression of Bracken and Effects on Forage Production

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

W. C. Robocker*
Affiliation:
Plant Sci. Res. Div., Agr. Res. Serv., U. S. Dep. of Agr., Wash. State Univ., Pullman, Washington 99163

Abstract

Nineteen herbicides in various formulations were tested preemergence and postemergence for control of western bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. pubescens Underw.). Excellent suppression was obtained for 1 year with fall applications of granular formulations of 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (dichlobenil) at 6.7 and 10.1 kg/ha, 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram) at 2.2 kg/ha, and 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba) at 4.5 to 9.0 kg/ha. Bracken recovered rapidly after 1 year of suppression by dichlobenil, but other herbaceous species were killed. Bracken recovered considerably the second growing season after application of picloram or dicamba, although morphological effects were noticeable for 2 to 3 years, particularly from dicamba. No visual injury to grasses was apparent from picloram. Some injury to orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) was noted from dicamba.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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