Control of Saltcedar by Subsurface Placement of Herbicides

Abstract

A root plow modified for deep subsurface placement of herbicides effectively controlled saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb.). One operation, preferably in the spring, which severed the tap root 35 to 60 cm below the soil surface and simultaneously applied any of several herbicides at the same depth increased saltcedar kill by more than 100% over that of root cutting alone. Residual herbicides, including uracils, substituted ureas, 2,3,6-TBA, picloram, dicamba, and karbutilate, applied with the root plow consistently controlled saltcedar with a single treatment. Phenoxy herbicides showed initial activity against saltcedar but did not persist long enough to satisfactorily kill late sprouting, previously quiescent buds. Two arsenicals and dichlobenil were ineffective for saltcedar control.