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Effect of Aminopyralid on Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) and the Native Plant Community in a Restored Tallgrass Prairie

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Travis L. Almquist  and
Rodney G. Lym
Travis L. Almquist
Affiliation:
Plant Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105
Rodney G. Lym*
Affiliation:
Plant Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: Rod.Lym@ndsu.edu
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Abstract

Aminopyralid efficacy on Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and potential to injure native species was evaluated in a restored prairie at the Glacial Ridge Preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy in Polk County, MN. Canada thistle stem density was reduced from 17 to 0.1 stems m−2 10 mo after treatment (MAT) with aminopyralid applied in the fall at 120 g ha−1. Aminopyralid also altered the composition of both Canada thistle–infested and native plant communities. Aminopyralid controlled Canada thistle and removed or reduced several undesirable forb species from the restored prairie communities, such as absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) and perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis). A number of high seral forbs were also reduced or removed by aminopyralid, including maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) and purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea). Foliar cover of high seral forbs in the native plant community was reduced from 12.2 to 7% 22 MAT. The cover of high seral grass species, such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) increased after aminopyralid application in both the Canada thistle–infested and native plant communities and averaged 41.4% cover compared with only 19.4% before removal of Canada thistle. Species richness, evenness, and diversity were reduced after aminopyralid application in both Canada thistle–infested and native plant communities. However, the benefits of Canada thistle control, removal of undesirable species, and the increase in native grass cover should lead to an overall improvement in the long-term stability and composition of the restored prairie plant community, which likely outweigh the short-term effects of a Canada thistle control program.

Keywords

Aminopyralidabsinth wormwood, Artemisia absinthium L.Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.perennial sowthistle, Sonchus arvensis L.big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii VitmanIndiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nashmaximilian sunflower, Helianthus maximiliani Schrad.purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea Vent.Herbicideinvasive speciesnontarget speciesdesirable species injury
Type
Research
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 3 , Issue 2 , August 2010 , pp. 155 - 168
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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Footnotes

Current address: School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236

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