Date of Graduation

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Horticulture (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Horticulture

Advisor/Mentor

Matthew Bertucci

Committee Member

Michael D. Richardson

Second Committee Member

Dirk Philipp

Third Committee Member

Hannah E. Wright-Smith

Keywords

Horticulture; Prairie; Vegetation Management

Abstract

North American prairies have been shrinking due to agricultural production, overgrazing, development of cities and towns, and climate change. However, integrated roadside vegetation management (IRVM) creates the opportunity to reestablish prairies along roadsides through planting native grasses and forbs. Utilizing postememergence (POST) herbicides registered for use along rights-of-way has the potential to remove invasive species and create space for newly establishing native grass and forb species. The use of clopyralid, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, metsulfuron, and quinclorac were found to be safe for use in plantings containing big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa L.). However, florpyrauxifen-benzyl injured and stunted the growth of buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides [Nutt.] J.T. Columbus), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula [Michx.] Torr.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). All four herbicides caused unacceptable levels of injury to the six remaining forb species in the greenhouse trial (≥25%), including purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench); ashy sunflower (Helianthus mollis Lam.), Mexican hat plant (Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Wooton & Standl.), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.), desert false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L.), and Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex B.L. Rob. & Fernald). The herbicides tested did provide effective enough weed control to suppress broadleaf or grass weeds to improve native plant establishment while not injuring at least some of the native grass and forbs species.

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