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Invasive White Sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis) Control with Herbicides, Cutting, and Flaming

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Jeffery S. Conn  and
Steven S. Seefeldt
Jeffery S. Conn*
Affiliation:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Subarctic Research Unit, 360 O'Neil Building, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775
Steven S. Seefeldt
Affiliation:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Subarctic Research Unit, 360 O'Neil Building, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: Jeff.Conn@ars.usda.gov
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Abstract

White sweetclover is invading the Alaska glacial river floodplains and roadsides adjacent to natural areas, and control methods are needed. Chlorsulfuron, 2,4-DB, clopyralid, triclopyr, and 2,4-D controlled white sweetclover seedlings below recommended rates in the greenhouse. Biomass of established plants in the field was reduced by chlorsulfuron at recommended (17.6 g ai/ha), 1/2, and 1/4 rates and was reduced by triclopyr and 2,4-D at recommended rates (1,260 and 1,600 g ai/ha). Herbicides were more effective at reducing white sweetclover viable seed production in 2007 than in 2006. Only chlorsulfuron at 17.6 g ai/ha (recommended rate) eliminated seed production in both years. Flaming killed first-year plants, but some second-year plants resprouted and produced viable seed. Cutting at the 2.5 or 10 cm height did not control first-year plants because of regrowth, and second-year plant density and seed production was reduced by cutting at 2.5 cm but not by cutting at 10 cm.

Keywords

Chlorsulfuronclopyralid2,4-D2,4-DBdicambatriclopyrwhite sweetclover, Melilotus officinalis (L.) LamInvasive specieschemical weed controlflamingburningcutting
Type
Research
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 2 , Issue 3 , July 2009 , pp. 270 - 277
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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