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The use of a herbicide as a tool to increase livestock consumption of medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2021

Clinton A. Stonecipher*
Affiliation:
Rangeland Scientist, USDA–Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, USA
Casey Spackman
Affiliation:
Graduate Student, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA; current: Rangeland Extension Specialist, Extension Animal Resources, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
Kip E. Panter
Affiliation:
Animal Scientist (Retired), USDA–Agricultural Research Service Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, USA
Juan J. Villalba
Affiliation:
Professor, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Clinton A. Stonecipher, USDA–Agricultural Research Service Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, 1150 East 1400 North, Logan, UT84341. (Email: clint.stonecipher@ars.usda.gov)

Abstract

Medusahead [Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski] is an invasive annual grass spreading into rangelands throughout the western United States. We tested cattle (Bos taurus L.) utilization of T. caput-medusae following treatment with glyphosate in two forms of its salt (potassium salt and isopropylamine salt) at three different rates of application; low (236 g ae ha−1), medium (394 g ae ha−1), and high rates (788 g ae ha−1) in eastern Washington. The herbicide was applied on April 26, 2016. A second location, northern Utah, was treated with glyphosate in the form of its isopropylamine salt at the high rate. The herbicide was applied on June 5, 2019. Cattle were allowed to start grazing T. caput-medusae 15 d after glyphosate treatment and had unlimited access to the glyphosate-treated plots for more than 85 d. The greatest utilization of T. caput-medusae occurred at the highest glyphosate application rate (P < 0.05), in Washington, with no difference between forms of glyphosate salt. Cattle also consumed T. caput-medusae at the Utah site (P < 0.05). Glyphosate treatment preserved the water-soluble carbohydrate content of T. caput-medusae at levels greater than the nontreated controls (P < 0.05) at both locations. The glyphosate treatment assisted in the increased utilization of T. caput-medusae by cattle and is a viable option for the reduction of T. caput-medusae while increasing the forage value of the weed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© USDA-ARS, 2021. This is a work of the US Government and is not subject to copyright protection within the United States. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Weed Science Society of America

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Footnotes

Associate Editor: Steven S. Seefeldt, Washington State University

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