A Potential New Herbicide for Invasive Annual Grass Control on Rangeland

Abstract

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.), a winter annual grass, is considered one of the most invasive non-native rangeland species in the United States. Although glyphosate, imazapic, and rimsulfuron are herbicides commonly recommended to control invasive, annual grasses, their performance is inconsistent and they can injure desirable perennial grasses. Indaziflam is a recently registered cellulose biosynthesis inhibiting herbicide, providing broad-spectrum control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds. Indaziflam is labeled for winter annual grass control in citrus, grape, and tree nut crops and could represent a new mode of action for selective winter annual grass control on rangeland. Three field experiments were conducted to compare indaziflam with imazapic, rimsulfuron, and glyphosate, three herbicides commonly used for downy brome control. Multiple herbicide application timings were evaluated. At all three sites, glyphosate and rimsulfuron provided less downy brome control than indaziflam 1 year after treatment (YAT). Percent downy brome control with imazapic decreased significantly 2 YAT (45-64%) and 3 YAT (10-32%). Across all sites and application timings, indaziflam provided the greatest downy brome control 2 YAT (89-100%) and 3 YAT (83-100%). Indaziflam did not significantly reduce species richness. This study demonstrates that indaziflam can provide extended downy brome control compared with currently used herbicides. © 2016 The Society for Range Management. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.