Native Warm-Season Grass and forb establishment using imazapic and 2, 4-D

Abstract

Of 7 herbicide mixtures applied pre- and post-emergence, a pre-emergence application of 0.07 kg active ingredient (ai) per ha (1 oz ai/ac) imazapic (Plateau) yielded the best establishment of 3 native warm-season grasses and 3 native forbs seeded on conventionally-tilled sites in Kentucky. Following this application, weed cover was reduced to < 5% during the first growing season, compared to > 95% in the control. After 2 growing seasons, plant density and percentage cover of little bluestem, big bluestem, and indiangrass both averaged 4.5X more than in the control. Illinois bundleflower, purple prairieclover, and lance-leaf coreposis were unaffected by the treatment, but purple coneflower density was reduced.