Clopyralid Effects on Shoot Emergence, Root Biomass, and Secondary Shoot Regrowth Potential of Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Abstract

The root fresh weight of intact Canada thistle plants was greater than that of decapitated plants 2 months following soil surface treatment with clopyralid at 140 g ai/ha. Nevertheless, secondary shoot regrowth potential was reduced to the same extent for both intact and decapitated plants after clopyralid treatment. Soil-applied clopyralid did not reduce root biomass as much as it reduced secondary shoot regrowth potential from adventitious root buds. Increasing the clopyralid rate from 11 to 1120 g/ha progressively reduced the total number of emerged shoots more than root fresh weight 2 months after treatment of decapitated Canada thistle. Increasing the clopyralid rate also reduced the regrowth potential of secondary shoots from root buds proportionately more than it reduced root biomass. Secondary shoots emerging through a surface layer of soil treated with clopyralid at 140 g/ha absorbed phytotoxic amounts of clopyralid. Secondary shoot numbers were not reduced after emerging through an activated charcoal layer into herbicide-treated soil, but they were deformed and their dry weight was reduced as was later secondary shoot regrowth potential.