Source: UNIV OF MARYLAND submitted to NRP
MANAGEMENT OF PERENNIAL WEEDS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0211146
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2007
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2010
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Non Technical Summary
Farmers have embraced no-till crop production as an environmentally sound agronomic practice. Postemergence applications of glyphosate in glyphosate-resistant crops have become the primary weed control tool in many crops. Over time we there has been weed shifts to weeds that flourish in no-till, glyphosate treated crops. Some of these weeds are invasive perennials, such as tree-of-heaven and honeyvine milkweed. Studies will be conducted to evaluate the biology and control of tree-of-heaven and honeyvine milkweed. Growth and development of these weeds from vegetative reproductive structures of various lengths and weight will be evaluated to determine the potential effect of tillage on established stands of these weeds. Greenhouse and field studies will be conducted to evaluate the effect of various herbicide treatments on the control and regrowth of these weeds.
Animal Health Component
90%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
90%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2132300114050%
2162300114050%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems; 213 - Weeds Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
2300 - Weeds;

Field Of Science
1140 - Weed science;
Goals / Objectives
The objectives of these studies are to evaluate the biology and management of perennial weeds. Much of the research effort will focus on tree-of-heaven [Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle] and honeyvine milkweed [Ampelamus albidus (Nutt.) Britt.]. Populations of these weeds have been reported to expand in response to no-tillage agriculture due to lack of disturbance of underground reproductive strictures. Tree-of-heaven and honeyvine milkweed have been reported to escape postemergence applications of glyphosate in glyphosate-resistant crops. These two aggressive weeds have the potential to become a significant concern in agronomic crops as a result of no-till and glyphosate-induced weed shifts. Management of other perennial weeds will also be studied.
Project Methods
Greenhouse and field research will be conducted to evaluate the biology and control of specific perennial weeds. Two weeds, tree-of-heaven and honeyvine milkweed, have already been identified through previous field research as weeds that expand in populations as a result of no-till and glyphosate-induced weed shifts. The focus with these weeds will be to identify the biological characteristics that make these weeds difficult to control under these conditions and work with alternative methods of managing these weeds. Growth of these weeds will be evaluated in relationship to the length and weight of the vegetative reproductive structure to determine the impact that tillage may have on an established stand. The effect of herbicides on the growth of tree-of-heaven and honeyvine milkweed will also be evaluated.

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The information accumulated from this project was disseminated to grower groups, students, the scientific community and the general public. The project was shared with these groups through invited presentations, seminars, field tours, and written reports and publications. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project was farmers, master gardeners, students and the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The primary impact of the findings of this project was to educate people on the identification, biology and control of perennial weeds. Programs were developed for the control of perennial weeds in pastures and no-till corn. Horse pastures are particularly susceptible to infestation with perennial weeds, because horses graze low to the ground and heavily trample the forage. This opens the pasture up to perennial weed encroachment. Weed management programs were developed that combined grazing management, proper forage care as well as herbicide use.

Publications

  • Glenn, S. and R. D. Myers. 2007. Alfalfa Management in no-tillage corn. Weed Technol. 20: 86 - 89
  • Identification of Grasses. 2007
  • Plant Identification and Management - Late Summer: Weeds and Warm-Season Grasses. 2007
  • Master Gardner:Weed Identification. 2008
  • Turf Weed Identification. 2008
  • Pasture Weed Identification. 2008
  • Master Gardner: Know Your Weeds. 2008
  • Pasture Weeds. 2008
  • What is in Your Pasture 2008
  • What is in Your Pasture 2009
  • Weeds in your pastures. 2009
  • Horse Pasture Weed Identification. 2010
  • Master Gardner: Know Your Weeds. 2010
  • Practical Tips on Identifying Grasses and Weeds in Pastures. 2010
  • Plant Science Research in the Univ. of Maryland Greenhouse. 2011
  • Master Gardner:Weeds of Your Gardens. 2011
  • Wide World of Weeds. 2011