Response of Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) and Grass Biomass to Grass, Picloram, and Fertilizer Combinations

Abstract

A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the response of yellow starthistle density and grass biomass to combinations of newly seeded grass, picloram, and fertilizer. A combination of ‘Tualatin’ tall oatgrass or ‘Paiute’ orchardgrass with 0.14 or 0.28 kg ae/ha of picloram effectively controlled yellow starthistle and improved forage production. Grass seeded alone or combined with fertilizer neither controlled yellow starthistle nor improved forage production. Three-way combinations of grass, picloram, and fertilizer did not affect yellow starthistle density in either year but resulted in more ‘Tualatin’ tall oatgrass biomass in 1987.