Atrazine and Simazine Increase Yield and Quality of Range Forage

Abstract

Application of 2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (atrazine) to intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium(Host) Beauv.) increased forage yields, plant protein, and nitrate over a 4-year period. Atrazine or 2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine (simazine) applied to a sward of red brome (Bromus rubensL.), Arabian grass (Schismus arabicusNees.), and red-stem filaree (Erodium cicutarium(L.) L'Her.) increased dry-matter yields sixfold and also increased protein and nitrate nitrogen. Nitrate in plants treated with atrazine increased to near-toxic levels for livestock.