Aaron Tjelmeland - Herbicides in the Prairie Restoration Process

Herbicides in the Restoration Process

Introduction • Herbicides can be powerful tools • Historic system processes and func5oning are o7en disrupted – Invasives – Disturbance (Soil chemistry, Overgrazing, etc.)

– Fire suppression

• Can result in steady-­‐states of altered communi5es vs. successional reset • It takes energy to push these areas back to func5onal natural systems (i.e. restora5on)

Plan • Set goal

– Site prep, restore ecol. proc., promote na5ve abundance/ diversity, protect na5ve diversity and func5oning (e.g. limit invasives) – Climax na5ve grassland community

• Set target – Specie(s)

• Choose/ evaluate appropriate tool – Mechanical – Natural (fire) – Chemical – Combina5on – Other?

Plan • What’s your target?

• How bad is it?

– How extensive is it?

– ScaOered plants and popula5ons or monoculture?

– Brush is too dense to carry fire – Brush is too big, dense to shred

• What are you trying to save?

• How much 5me do you have?

Choosing the Tool • Available Resources – Time – Money – Equipment – Seed bank

• Cost/ Benefit – $/ Acre – Acres/ day – How many applica5ons?

– Collateral damage – Hazards – Liabili5es

Choosing the Tool • Mechanical – Shredding – Hydro-­‐ax

• Biological – Fire – Grazing

• Chemical – Herbicide

Herbicides • Not all herbicides are the same – Different modes of ac5on – Different effects – Different hazards – Different restric5ons – Different residuals – Different costs

Choose the Herbicide • What herbicide will give you the best results for your target?

• Timing is key – Rule of thumb: for herbaceous plants-­‐ green and ac5vely growing – For vines, shrubs, and trees-­‐ soil temp. high, before seeds set or a7er seeds drop.

– Some vines-­‐ at least a year a7er mechanical disturbance

• Resources – Internet – Manufacturer technical representa5ve (DOW, BASF) – Local extension agent – Other prac55oners

Mode of Action • Foliar • Soil (root, preemergent) • Combina5on • Residual

Choose the Method • Individual Plant Treatment (IPT) – Spot spray – Wick – Cut stump – Hack and Squirt

• Most focused • Time-­‐intensive

IPT Case Study #1 • 8-­‐Acre area at TCPP

– Mixed na5ves and deeprooted sedge

• Applica5on 1-­‐ June 16 2014 – 17 gallons of solu5on, 5 hours

• Applica5on 2-­‐ August 1 2014 – 9 gallons of solu5on, 3 hours

• Applica5on 3-­‐ August 11 2014 – 1 gallon solu5on, 1 hour

• Applica5on 4-­‐ October 15 2014 – 1 gallon solu5on, 0.5 hour

• Done for 2014, follow up in 2015

IPT Case Study #2 • Southern boundary road of Nash Prairie – Large stands of Johnsongrass in 2012

• Started regular herbicide regiment in 2013 – 5 applica5ons throughout 2013, 21.5 gallons of solu5on – 4 applica5ons throughout 2014, 21 gallons of solu5on – Appears to be in maintenance stage – Monitor in 2015

Choose the Method • Broadcast – Ground boom – Aerial

• Lowest cost/ Acre • Least target-­‐specific • Aerial can target taller trees

Boom Spray Case Study #1 • TCPP, Unit 2A ~85 acres – Eastern baccharis forest in SE corner – Dense baccharis across unit – Limited perennial forb abundance and diversity

• Burned in late winter 2013 • Shredded in late June – early July 2013 • Boom sprayed regrowth October 2013 • Brownseed paspalum flush late spring 2014 • Community recovery-­‐ October 2014

Boom Spray Case Study #2 • TCPP Unit 3B, ~125 acres

– Dense bacharris – Limited fine fuel load – Bacharris too tall for TCPP boom

• Shredded in May 2014 except for tallow moOes • Planned spray in fall 2014 • Na5ve plant community responded • Changed plan, limited applica5on area to ~40 acres (25 aerial, 15 tractor boom) • Saved 5me, money, forb community • Monitor, manage in 2015

Choose the Method • Hybrid – ATV Booms – Switch between wand and boom

Surfactant (Adjuvant) • For foliar applica5ons – Helps bind chemical to leaf surface

• Nonionic surfactant • Methylated seed oil • Mixed according to total volume

Implementing • READ LABELS!!!!!!!

• Safety is your responsibility • Contractors – Hire someone with references – Don’t trust recommenda5ons, if given – Supply them directly with herbicides to be used

• IPT – Make sure applicator can ID and dis5nguish target

Legalities • Restricted Use – Find out if your county has restric5on excep5ons

• State Limited-­‐Use • Regulated by Texas Department of Agriculture • See TDA website for more info

Licensing • Regulated herbicide require an Applicator’s License to purchase and apply • Requires records, permits, CEUs • Contractors will have commercial license • See TDA website for more info.

– hOp://www.texasagriculture.gov/ RegulatoryPrograms/Pes5cides.aspx

• Contact your county extension agent for 5mes and loca5ons of classes and tes5ng – hOp://galveston.agrilife.org/

Conclusions • Herbicides can be an effec5ve tool if applied correctly • Goal of herbicides in restora5on should be to minimize the use of herbicides (restore func5oning) • Do your homework beforehand

• READ LABELS!!!!!!!!!!