Competitive Grasses for Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) Reduction

Abstract

Twelve grass genotypes were evaluated for competitiveness with leafy spurge and herbage yield in two sites in North Dakota. ‘Rebound’ smooth brome, ‘Rodan’ western wheatgrass, ‘Bozoisky’ Russian wildrye, and ‘Arthur’ Dahurian wildrye reduced leafy spurge stem density an average of 63% after 3 yr in a silty clay soil at Fargo. ‘Reliant’ intermediate wheatgrass reduced leafy spurge stem density every year for 3 yr, including an 85% reduction the second year after planting, and consistently produced high herbage yields. Rebound smooth brome and Reliant intermediate wheatgrass averaged 72% leafy spurge reduction 3 yr after seeding in a loamy sand soil at Jamestown. Reliant intermediate wheatgrass and ‘Manska’ pubescent wheatgrass provided the most consistent herbage production, which averaged about 2,000 kg/ha annually for 3 yr.