Downy Brome Control by Soil-Active Herbicides for Revegetation of Rangelands

Abstract

Eighteen soil-active herbicides were evaluated for control of downy brome (Bromus tectorumL.) and associated broadleaf weeds during revegetation of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentataNutt.) rangelands in Nevada and in northeastern California. We rated all herbicides in reference to a chemical-fallow program for replacement of vegetation, where seeding follows and is separated from herbicide application by at least 1 year. Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) applied at 1 lb/A was the most promising treatment with respect to three essential characteristics: length of activity, spectrum of weed control, and relative preemergence and postemergence phytotoxicity.