Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens) Control with Low Rates of Aminopyralid on Range and Pasture

Abstract

AbstractRussian knapweed is an invasive weed of rangeland, pasture, and natural areas throughout western North America. Aminopyralid is a new pyridine carboxylic acid herbicide that has activity on Russian knapweed at lower use rates than current standard treatments. The objectives of this study were to compare aminopyralid efficacy at the bud to early flower timing and the fall timing with commercial standards for Russian knapweed control. Studies were conducted at five locations in California, Utah, and Wyoming in heavily infested pastures or rangeland. When applied in summer at the bud to early flower timing, aminopyralid at 0.07 kg ae/ha controlled Russian knapweed effectively and was comparable to picloram + 2,4-D amine (0.56 + 1.12 kg ae/ha) at 12 and 24 months after treatment (MAT). The addition of 2,4-D with lower rates of aminopyralid did not improve control. When applied after seed set at the fall timing, control from aminopyralid at 0.05 kg ae/ha and higher was also comparable to picloram (0.56 kg ae/ha) and better than clopyralid (0.42 kg ae/ha) and imazapic (0.18 and 0.21 kg ae/ha) 12 and 21 MAT. Aminopyralid controlled Russian knapweed effectively at lower use rates than current commercial standards and good control lasted for at least 21 to 24 MAT.