Download - Control of Reed Canary Grass
Control of Reed Canary Grass
(Phalaris arundinacea) on Ted Shanks CA
Ryan KellyWildlife Biologist
Slides Compliments of Frank Nelson
Background on RCG life historyHistory of RCG at ShanksControl efforts at ShanksLessons Learned
Plan of Attack
Photos by: Stephen L. Solheim, Wisconsin State Herbarium & Jim Randall, TNC
Invasive perennial grass (wide genetic variability)
Prefers moist, drained soils on altered or disturbed sites riverbanks, wet meadows, marshland, mudflats, ditches, etc
Heavy shade intolerant (early 1900’s agronomic trials)
Used for forage and erosion control (MDC privateland grass list)
Reed Canary Grass
Cool season grassCool season grass
First to grow in springFirst to grow in spring
5-7 weeks of above 5-7 weeks of above
ground growthground growth
2-9 ft after this period2-9 ft after this period
Photo by: The Nature Conservancy
Mid-June the seeds ripen
600 seeds/stem (Klopatek and Stearns 1978)
No time or temperature requirement for germination (Vose 1962)
Can float for 1-2 days
Germination requires light on moist soil
Most germination:
Late summer and decreases next spring (Vose 1962, Lindig-Cisneros and Zedler 2002)
Not viable after 2 years of saturation (Comes et al. 1978, Coops et al. 1996)
The longevity of seeds is questionable
Photo by Jim Randall, TNC
Clonal plants
Low energy reserves in May and June
because of above ground growth & seed
development
After flowering, energy is allocated to tiller (new shoots & rhizomes) development
Network of rhizomes forms 2-5 inch layer of sod
Accumulation of carbohydrates highest during fall below ground energy greatest during winter
History of RCG at Shanks
Seeded on new wetland levees in late 1970s
Ted Shanks
CA
Photo by: Barry Rice, TNC
USDA, PLANTS Database Canadian Wildlife Service
1980
GREAT FLOOD OF 1993
• Creates opportunity for RCG
1997
2003
SPRING 2004
M & E
M & E Results
According to Field
Horseshoe Field
Rainbow Field
Central Field
Examine Each Type of Treatment
● Disking
● Disking &Herbicide
● Disk & Cover Crop
● Fire
Monotypic stands Timing: Before flowering
or Before fall senescence
Moldboard plow or Offset disk initially + finish disk as needed in following months
Advantages: Removes new growth Chops up sod layer Depletes rhizome reserves Mixes seed bank
DISKING
Timing: Before flowering or Before fall senescence
Best bang for buck: Fall application, spring follow up
Spot treat in cool season
More than one treatment required
Advantages: May allow sunlight to reach soil (sod layer?) Depletes rhizome reserves
HERBICIDE
Takes advantageof multiple treatments(Disking, shade, herbicide)
Reduces RCG, yet provides wildlife value
Allows seed bank to respond and come in under planted crop
COVER CROP
warm season crop, additional growing season required Roundup Ready Corn ®
Winter wheat or ryecool season crop, following growing season
Advantages of Winter Wheat
• Relatively inexpensive and easy
• Cool season. Outcompetes RCG
• Wheat is allelopathic
• Can get multiple years from one planting by mowing wheat/second crop
• Beneficial to wide array of critters
FIRE Removes biomass and litter
Timing: Late spring
May kill seeds (hot burn)
Stimulate rhizomes to re-sprout
Use with other management treatments
Disadvantages: RCG benefits from high light conditions after burn Reduces RCG’s competition in mixed stands Timing and frequency is critical
CONTROL EFFORTS (2004) BURNING
• Remove residual growth exposing debris
• Only used during the first year
LOTS OF DEBRIS
DEBRIS REMOVAL
• Approx. 1,400 acres cleared starting in 2004 and ending in 2007
FIRST YEAR TREATMENT
• Heavy disking to breakup sod
FINISH DISK
• Further breakup sod and deplete rhizomes
• Smooth fields
FINISH DISK UP TO 4 TIMES IN THE FIRST YEAR
• Leave fallow
• Plant cover crop (winter wheat)
MARCH 2004
APRIL 2004
JUNE 2004
SEPTEMBER 2004
Remove residual RCG biomass and/or sod Exhaust RCG rhizomes/ multiple treatments
Revegetate as soon as possible
Be cognizant of micro topography
Monitor and quickly remove new invading populations to prevent their spread
Lessons Learned
Cover Crop Disk + Wheat + Wicking Herbicide Mow + Fire + Herbicide Spring herbicide + Summer disking,
w/ follow up herbicide next growing season
INTEGRATED APPROACHSite Characteristics
Utilize strengths and weakness of treatments
Good Luck