Response of Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) and Understory Vegetation to Herbicides

Abstract

Yaupon (Ilex vomitoriaAit. ♯ ILEVO) in the Post Oak Savannah of Texas was treated with liquid and dry formulations of herbicides. Sprays of Bay Met 1486 {N-[5-(ethylsulfonyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-N, N′-dimethylurea} and picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid), sprays and pellets of tebuthiuron {N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-N,N′-dimethylurea}, and boluses of hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1N,3H)-dione] at 4.5 kg ae or ai/ha were the most effective treatments, reducing the canopy 87 to 99% and killing 68 to 93% of the yaupon after 2 yr. The percentage of dead yaupon after 1 yr was similar to that found 2 or 3 yr after treatment. Most herbicides, except clopyralid (3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), reduced the yaupon canopy sufficiently to allow an increase in understory grass and broadleaf vegetation, particularly 1 yr after treatment.