Basal Spray Research Articles

Initial plant community responses to hardwood control treatments in restoration of remnant longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) woodlands

Changes in land use over the past century have contributed to substantial losses of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) woodlands in the southeastern USA and replacement with higher density, mixed pine and hardwood stands that suppress understory development and limit application of prescribed fire. To increase understanding of limiting factors and identify potential approaches for restoring longleaf pine woodlands, we studied initial availability of light and soil water and 2-year (2018–2019) plant community responses after controlling overstory hardwoods in five remnant longleaf pine woodlands having no evidence of previous agriculture at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, SC, USA. Seven hardwood control treatments and a non-treated check were compared in a randomized compete block experiment: cutting, cutting + shredding of logging residues, stem injection with imazapyr herbicide, cutting + basal spray with imazapyr herbicide, cutting + basal spray with triclopyr herbicide, cutting + directed foliar spray with a mixture of glyphosate and imazapyr herbicides, and cutting + broadcast foliar spray with the same herbicide mixture. In the year prior to hardwood cutting (2016), understory light availability averaged 23% of full sun. Throughout the year of treatment installation (2017), average soil water content (SWC) was below permanent wilting point (5.5% SWC) where overstory hardwoods were retained; whereas, it was above wilting point (7.5%) where they had been cut. Thus, combined effects of shade and root competition from overstory hardwoods probably limited cover of herbaceous species in the non-treated check. In the 2 years following treatment, hardwood survival averaged > 99%, 62%, 42% and < 1% for the non-treated check, cutting, shredding, and herbicide treatments, respectively. Relative to the non-treated check, herbaceous species richness was increased by shredding, stem injection, basal spray, or directed foliar treatments; herbaceous cover was increased by basal spray or directed foliar treatments; and woody cover was decreased by directed or broadcast foliar treatments. The directed foliar spray was the most effective treatment for achieving many of the desired understory characteristics of a longleaf pine woodland, including a diverse understory dominated by herbaceous vegetation capable of supporting periodic prescribed fires. Although the imazapyr basal spray treatment increased cover of remnant woodland indicator species, none of the treatments increased richness of this species group, suggesting that restoration of native species composition will be expedited by enrichment seedings or plantings.

Zinc Accounting for Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Different Methods of Zinc Application with Green Leaf Manuring

Zinc is the common micronutrient; its availability is reduced under lowland rice cultivation. Field investigation was carried out at during winter (Rabi) season of 2016-17 at Agricultural College and Research Institute, killikulam, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The zinc use efficiencies were positively influenced the by the application of zinc as basal and foliar spray at critical stages of rice. The higher physiological efficiency recorded by zinc applied as basal with green leaf manuring. The zinc induced nitrogen use efficiency was noted higher at zinc applied as soil plus foliar application with green leaf manuring. The agronomic efficiency, partial factor productivity and zinc recovery fraction (apparent recovery) was higher under application of zinc as foliar spray twice with green leaf manuring. Incorporation of green leaf manure of Glricidia maculate was favorable influence of increasing use efficiency of applied zinc.

Optimizing a Basal Bark Spray of Dinotefuran to Manage Armored Scales (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Christmas Tree Plantations

The armored scales Fiorinia externa Ferris and Aspidiotus cryptomeriae Kuwana (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) are increasingly damaging to Christmas tree plantings in southern New England. The systemic insecticide dinotefuran was investigated for selectively suppressing armored scale populations relative to their natural enemies in cooperating growers' fields in 2008 and 2009. Banded soil application of dinotefuran resulted in poor control. However, a dinotefuran spray applied to the basal 25 cm of trunk resulted in its absorption through the bark, translocation to the foliage, and good efficacy. The basal bark spray did not significantly impact the activity of predators Chilocorus stigma (Say) or Cybocephalus nipponicus Enrody-Younga and in 2009 showed a dosage-dependent improvement in the percentage of scales parasitized by Encarsia citrina Craw. A field dosage-response factorial experiment revealed that a 0.25% (vol:vol) addition of a surfactant with dinotefuran did not enhance insecticidal effect. Probit-transformed scale population reduction relative to the untreated check was subjected to linear regression analysis; reduction of scale populations was proportional to the log of insecticide dosage, whereas basal bark spray efficacy declined in proportion to the cube of tree height. The regression equation can be used to optimize dosage relative to tree height. Excellent efficacy resulted from basal bark spray application dates of 28 April (prebud break) to mid-June, but earlier spray timing within that treatment window had fewer crawlers discoloring new growth with their short-lived feeding. A basal bark spray of dinotefuran is well suited for integration with natural enemies to manage armored scales in Christmas tree plantations.

Absorption and Translocation of Glyphosate, Metsulfuron, and Triclopyr in Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum)

Old World climbing fern is one of the most invasive plants in natural areas of central and southern Florida. The fern spreads across the landscape by wind-blown spores and invades isolated and undisturbed habitats such as interior portions of the Florida Everglades. Land managers in Florida have reported that multiple herbicide treatments are required to control the fern, which could indicate that herbicides do not translocate throughout the plant in long-established populations. We conducted a greenhouse study to determine the absorption and translocation patterns in Old World climbing fern using the three herbicides most commonly used for management of this plant by land managers in Florida. Using14C-labeled herbicides, we evaluated absorption and translocation of glyphosate (2.25 kg ai ha−1), metsulfuron (0.10 kg ai ha−1), and triclopyr (1.68 kg ai ha−1) in Old World climbing fern using five different application scenarios (cut-and-spray, basal spray, 25% foliar spray, 50% foliar spray, and 100% foliar spray). Triclopyr was absorbed to the greatest extent (60.3%) of applied radioactive compounds compared to glyphosate (31.2%) and metsulfuron (19.8%). The majority of radioactivity remained in treated leaves for all herbicides with only small percentages of the absorbed radioactivity being detected in other plant parts. All three herbicides translocated acropetally and basipitally to some extent. Radioactivity, for the most part, translocated evenly throughout the plants but the greatest amount of radioactivity derived from triclopyr occurred in rhizomes when the cut-and-spray and basal applications were used. The radioactivity in rhizomes derived from glyphosate was greater in those treated using cut-and-spray. Based on autoradiographs, there was limited horizontal movement of any herbicide in the rhizomes of Old World climbing fern which could explain why resprouts are observed several weeks following treatment.

Management of white rot ( Sclerotium cepivorum) of garlic using fungicides in Ethiopia

Four field experiments were conducted at the Debre Zeit and Bakelo areas of North Shewa, Ethiopia in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 to determine the effects of five fungicides on epidemics of white rot ( Sclerotium cepivorum), and to identify effective fungicides for its management. Five fungicides: tebuconazole as a clove treatment and supplemented basal spray, benomyl, mancozeb, captan and thiram as a clove treatment were applied to Tseday (G-493) and local garlic cultivars. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There was an untreated control for each cultivar. The trials were conducted in fields naturally infested with S. cepivorum. Treatment of garlic cloves with tebuconazole at the rate of 2.1 ml kg −1and spray at 0.25 l ha −1 at stem bases resulted in a significant reduction in initial and final white rot incidence, progress rate, and severity on bulbs. Captan at the rate of 4.17 g kg −1and benomyl at 5.2 g kg −1gave a significant reduction in final disease incidence and the disease was reduced by 16% and 24%, respectively, over the control at Bakelo. At Debre Zeit these fungicides decreased final disease incidence by 40–44%. The highest increase in marketable yield was obtained from garlic treated with tebuconazole (43–73%), captan (48–77%) and benomyl (42–64%) more than the control. Thiram reduced the disease initially, but subsequently did not prove effective. Garlic yield of both cultivars were improved by fungicide application. On average marketable yield increased 27–44.1% at Debre Zeit and 33–70% at Bakelo over the untreated control plots. Differences existed between seasons and locations and these could be due to differences in environment and inoculum levels.

Imazapyr and Triclopyr Tank Mixtures for Basal Bark Control of Woody Brush in the Southeastern United States

Small diameter woody brush on forestlands and rights-of-way can be controlled with a basal bark application of either triclopyr or imazapyr. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of triclopyr and imazapyr tank mixtures for a variety of rates and species. Imazapyr at the standard rate of 19 g ae/l does not have the broad-spectrum control of triclopyr at the standard rate of 96 g ae/l. Test mixtures adding various rates of imazapyr to the standard rate of triclopyr provided no significant benefit. This study documents effective basal spray treatments for 15 of 16 test species. Only eastern redcedar proved difficult to control.

Integrated Vegetation Management On An Electric Transmission Right-Of-Way In Pennsylvania, U.S.

Integrated vegetation management (IVM) has been used for the maintenance of vegetation along an electric utility transmission right-of-way (ROW) at the State Game Lands (SGL 33) Research and Demonstration Area, Centre County, Pennsylvania, U.S., since 1987. In addition, the wire­border zone method was implemented on the ROW in 1987. The wire­border zone method results in forb­grass­shrub cover types in wire zones and shrub cover types in border zones. The SGL 33 Research and Demonstration Area has been studied since 1953, which makes this 51-year-old project the longest continuous study documenting the effects of mechanical and herbicidal maintenance on flora and fauna along an electric transmission ROW. In this paper, our objective is to present target (undesirable) tree density and cover-type development in response to IVM prior to the most recent treatment (2000) and 2 to 3 years after treatment. Results were compared to those obtained from the late 1980s and 1990s. For all units combined (except handcut) in 1999, average target tree densities prior to treatment were 288 trees/ha (117 trees/ac) in wire zones and 759 trees/ha (307 trees/ac) in border zones. Excellent control of target tree density [62 to 124 trees/ha (25 to 50 trees/ac)] was noted in wire zones of mowing plus herbicide, stem­foliage spray, and foliage spray units; moderate control [371 to 680 trees/ha (150 to 275 trees/ac)] was observed in low-volume basal spray, high-volume basal spray units, and mowing units; and poor control (4,818 trees/ha [1,951 trees/ac]) was found in the handcut unit. In 2003, the density of target trees in all treatment units combined was 1,544 trees/ha (625 tree/ac) in wire zones and 1,594 trees/ha (645 trees/ac) in border zones. If the handcut unit was omitted from the calculations, then only 340 target trees/ha (138 trees/ac) in wire zones and 501 trees/ha (203 trees/ac) in border zones were present. IVM of a ROW is not a "tree-proof" but rather a "tree-resistant" means of reducing tree invasion. Competition with existing plants and wildlife predation on tree seeds on a ROW managed via the wire­border zone method minimized but did not eliminate tree invasion. Since 1987, IVM and the wire­border zone method of ROW maintenance has increased the time between treatment cycles, thereby reducing labor and chemical costs at the SGL 33 Research and Demonstration Area.

Preharvest Manual Herbicide Treatments for Controlling American Beech in Central West Virginia

Abstract Application costs and efficacy were determined for manual preharvest herbicide treatments applied to control American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) that was interfering with the establishment and development of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) in central West Virginia. The treatments consisted of four levels of basal area reduction using combinations of two application methods: hack-and-squirt injection with Accord (41.5%) and basal spraying with Garlon 4 (61.6% butoxyethyl ester). The treatments were applied in late Aug. 2000 and evaluated 12 months after treatment. A numerical rating system ranging from 1 to 7 (0–100% crown affected), based on a visual estimation of top kill, was used to evaluate the efficacy of each treatment. Trees receiving a rating of 5 (75% crown control) or greater were considered controlled. After 12 months, almost complete control (99%) was achieved with both application methods. Injection of ≥6.0-in. dbh beech stems also controlled 52% and 21.6% of small untreated beech understory stems in the 2-ft tall to 0.9-in. dbh and 1.0- to 5.9-in. dbh classes, respectively. Average application costs (chemical and labor) ranged from $39.28/ac for injection of 159 stems/ac ≥6 in. dbh to $80.32/ac for basal spraying 396 stems/ac in the 1.0- to 5.9-in. dbh class and $230.09/ac for basal spraying 3,743 stems/ac in the 2-ft tall to 0.9-in. dbh class. Basal spraying the numerous small 2-ft tall to 0.9-in. dbh stems dramatically increased treatment costs. Black cherry occupied 30% of total stand basal area and accounted for 91% of total stand value ($6,288.10/ac). Application costs expressed as a percentage of total stand value ranged from &lt;1% for the injection-only treatment up to 6.5% for combination basal spray and injection treatments. The individual stem herbicide application methods described here are applicable to the steep topography and small nonindustrial ownerships found in Appalachia.

Bird Populations Associated with an Electric Transmission Right-of-Way

A 2-year study of bird populations was conducted along a 230-kV transmission line right-of-way (ROW) in spring (June) and summer (August) 2000 and 2001. Forty-four species were observed on the ROW during 2000 and 2001. In 1987 and 1988 combined, 39 species were noted on the ROW; thus, bird populations have changed relatively little over the past 13 to 14 years. In both 2000 and 2001, slightly more species occurred on the ROW in summer (n = 26-32) than in spring (n = 25-26), and considerably fewer species were noted in the adjacent forest in both spring (n = 8-13) and summer (n = 7). Common bird species (50 individuals/100 ha/day) on the ROW were those adapted to brushy or early successional habitat. Most species were found in the low-volume basal spray and foliage spray units (n = 29 and 28 species, respectively), and fewest species were noted in the handcutting unit (n = 19 species). Considerably more bird species were observed in border zones than in wire zones of the ROW in 2000 and 2001 combined (n = 39 versus 17 species, respectively). Moreover, abundance of all bird species combined was nearly fourfold higher in border zones (1,530 individual birds/100 ha/day) than in wire zones (393 birds/100 ha/day). Thus, the border zone is a very important habitat for birds along a ROW, with its combination of shrub-forb-grass cover type.

Effect of Herbicide Maintenance of an Electric Transmission Line Right-Of-Way on Butterfly Populations

A study was carried out in 1997 of the butterfly populations on the right-of-way of a 230-kV transmission line of GPU Energy in the Allegheny Mountain Physiographic Province of central Pennsylvania. The objective was to determine if herbicide spray maintenance had produced an adverse impact on butterfly populations. Butterfly counts were made at 7 points in time during the growing season to coincide with flowering of important plant species. On the handcut control unit, there was a total of 14 butterfly species and 58 individuals present over the growing season. In contrast to this, there was a total of 20 butterfly species present on the high-volume basal spray unit, 19 species on the mowing plus herbicide spray unit MH-1, and 22 species on the mowing plus herbicide spray unit MH-3. The number of individual butterflies ranged from 172 to 186 on the 2 mowing plus herbicide spray units to 342 on the high-volume basal spray unit. These results indicate that herbicide spray maintenance had not produced an adverse effect on butterfly species and number of individuals compared to handcutting without herbicides.

Root Weevil Control on Red Raspberry, 1997

Abstract Treatments were replicated five times in a 4-year-old ‘Chilliwack’ raspberry field j in Vancouver, WA. Plots measuring 1 row wide and 30 ft long were arranged in a RCB design. Full coverage sprays were applied on 10 Jun with a tractor-mounted 6-tank plot sprayer with an over-the-row boom. It was equipped with 14 D3-45 TeeJet nozzles per row at 200 psi and delivered 130 gal/acre at 2 mph. Basal sprays were applied with the same sprayer while using only the 3 lower nozzles on each side of the row. The nozzles were spaced 10 j inches apart and the lower one was 12 inches above the soil line. Sampling began at 10 PM by placing a 3-ft-wide by 10-ft-long white cloth under each side | of the row near the center of the plot. The top training wire was grasped tightly by hand and given 10 vigorous shakes. The weevils that were knocked off j were counted with the aid of a flashlight and returned to the plots. Evaluations were made at 3, 6, and 14 DAT. Brigade and Alert were reapplied 27 Jun j and sampled 4 and 14 DAT. Alert and both Brigade treatments significantly reduced the number of BVW up to 14 DAT and 4 DAT of the second application.

Insecticide Efficacy for Root Weevil on Red Raspberry, 1997

Abstract Treatments were replicated five times in a 4-year-old ‘Meeker’ raspberry field in La Center, WA. Plots measuring 1 row wide and 30 ft long were arranged in a RCB design. Full coverage sprays were applied on 10 Jun with a tractor-mounted 6-tank plot sprayer with an over-the-row boom. It was equipped with 14 D3-45 TeeJet nozzles per row at 200 psi and delivered 130 gal/acre at 2 mph. Basal sprays were applied with the same sprayer while using only the 3 lower nozzles on each side of the row. The nozzles were spaced 10 inches apart and the lower one was 12 inches above the soil line. Sampling began at 10 PM by placing a 3-ft-wide by 10-ft-long white cloth under each side of the row near the center of the plot. The top training wire was grasped tightly by hand and given 10 vigorous shakes. The weevils that were knocked off were counted with the aid of a flashlight and returned to the plots for later evaluation. Evaluations were made at 3, 6 and 14 DAT.

Controlling Sprout Clumps of Bigleaf Maple with Herbicides and Manual Cutting

Abstract Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) clumps were controlled using the herbicides glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, triclopyr amine, triclopyr ester, and 2,4-DP + 2,4-D; by basal spray, thinline, foliage spray, and on cut surfaces; during early foliar, late foliar, and dormant periods on five sites across western Oregon and Washington. Three timings of manual cutting alone also were compared. Imazapyr foliage sprays, triclopyr ester thinline, dormant 3% triclopyr ester basal spray, late-foliar 2, 4-DP + 2,4-D basal spray, and manual cutting with triclopyr amine cut-surface application provided the best control among the treatments tested over the 3 yr of study. Imazapyr foliage sprays provided the best long-term control by killing most treated clumps. Triclopyr ester thinline treatments provided the most consistent and effective results among the basal applications. Stump applications of triclopyr amine were more effective than manual cutting alone or manual cutting with glyphosate cut-surface application. West. J. Appl. For. 9(4):118-124.

Nesting of Breeding Birds on an Electric Utility Line Right-Of-Way

A nesting study of breeding birds on an electric transmission line right-of-way (ROW) was made in central Pennsylvania in 1991 and 1992. Active nests of 13 bird species were found on the ROW, and 5 of the most common species nested on both handcutand herbicide-treated ROW segments. The average nesting success for all bird species in both years combined was 68%. A nesting success of 70% was obtained on a mowed plus herbicide (cut stubble) ROW unit, 68% on a selective basal spray unit, and 67% on a handcut unit. Shrubs were the most commonly used nesting cover. However, grass and forb cover was also used for nesting by field sparrows and common yellowthroats, in particular, both of which had a 100% nesting success on the ROW.

Impacts of Vegetation Management Techniques on Wetlands in Utility Rights-Of-Way in Massachusetts

This project compared five rights-of-way (R/W) treatments (hand cutting, mowing, cut stump treatment w/ herbicides, basal spraying w/herbicide, and foliar application of herbicides) to determine their impacts on wetlands on utility R/W. The conclusion reached was that there was no significant impact to wetlands from any of the vegetation management techniques used on utility R/Ws in Massachusetts. Mechanical treatments resulted in higher impacts on the cover value for wildlife than those involving herbicides. Residue from petroleum products (bar oil and hydraulic fluid) were recovered on the leaf litter from mechanically treated sites. No herbicide residues were recovered from herbicide-treated sites.

Prediction of Cover Type on Rights-Of-Way After Maintenance Treatments

Plant cover occurring on electric transmission rights-of-way after commonly used maintenance treatments was studied in two Physiographic Provinces in Pennsylvania (Allegheny Mountain and Piedmont) to predict cover type development. At both locations, a tree sprout-shrub cover type developed after handcutting; a grass-forb-shrub cover type after mowing; a grass-forb cover type after mowing plus herbicide and stem-foliage sprays; a forb-grass cover type after foliage spraying; and a shrub-forb-grass cover type after selective basal spraying. Data from other studies showed that aerial spraying produced a grass-forb cover type. The plant species composition of each cover type is described for both Physiographic Provinces.

Stem Treatments to Control Tanoak Sprouting

Abstract Applying 2,4-D, triclopyr, and picloram + 2,4-D to cut surfaces of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) on southwest Oregon sites in November or February increased mortality and reduced total sprout length and clump area relative to May or August applications. Injecting the same herbicides into stem frills caused 80 to 99% mean crown dieback for November, February, and May applications, but only 47% for August applications. Spraying triclopyr diluted with diesel oil to 1 5 or 3.0% on stem bases caused 64% mean crown dieback for August applications but only 28% averaged over the other three dates. Both frill and spray treatments reduced by about 1.5 to 3.0 times the sprout length and clump area of trees felled within 3 months of treatments, compared to untreated trees. Tanoak can be effectively controlled by treating cut surfaces when felling, and by stem injection or basal spray 3 months before harvesting or slashing for site preparation. Cut-surface application or injection from fall through early spring is likely to be most effective. West. J. Appl. For. 2(2):41-45, April 1987.

Methods of clearing and woody weed control in the Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populinea) lands.

Eucalyptus populnea Eucalj'ptus populnea (poplar or bimble box) can be controlled by ringbarking, mechanical pulling and by direct chemical appiication; fire alone has little effect. The initial ringbarking usually kills only a small percentage of trees, but repeated removal of the coppice growth leads to a complete kill. Mechanical pulling under favourable soil moisture conditions can remove many of the fignotubers from the ground and Little regrowth occurs, but in dry soils the trees break off at or near ground level and profuse re- growth occurs from the broken stumps. Chemical injection treatment, using the picloram compounds or 2,4,5-T, is probably the most economical method and high percentage kills can be obtained under all seasonal conditions. Of the shrub associates of poplar box, Eremophila mitchellii can be effectively controlled by basal stem sprays of 1.0% butyl 2,4,5-T in diesel distillate, whilst shrubs such as Cassia nemophila, C. artemisioides and Acacia deanei have been shown to be suscep- tible to fie under suitable fuel loads. Other important shrub species have reacted in varying degrees to both chemical and fue treat- ment.

Basal and Stump Sprays for Control of Saltcedar

Basal and Stump Sprays for Control of Saltcedar

Basal Spraying of Red Alder

Basal Spraying of Red Alder