A stem cut and blade delivery method of herbicide application for weed control

Abstract

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to investigate the responses of container-grown dogfennel, multiflora rose, and purple loosestrife to clopyralid or triclopyr applied to plants from a pruning shear blade. Clopyralid or triclopyr was diluted with water to various concentrations and placed on one side of a pruning shear blade in final volumes of either 1 or 5 μl. The shears were then used to sever and treat stems. Results indicated that 20% triclopyr concentrations in 5-μl total volume (360 μg active) gave ≥ 96% reductions of foliar regrowth in dogfennel, multiflora rose, and purple loosestrife 70, 42, and 56 days after treatment (DAT), respectively. The same delivery rate for clopyralid gave 96% dogfennel control 70 DAT. Subsequent visual ratings with multiflora rose (105 DAT) and purple loosestrife (260 DAT) confirmed that early reductions in biomass were good indicators of long-term control.