The invasive vine black swallowwort [Vincetoxicum nigrum (L.) Moench = Cynanchum louiseae Kartesz & Gandhi, Apocynaceae] is difficult to control, and herbicide studies are lacking. This long-lived perennial species is primarily found in high-light environments in natural areas and perennial cropping systems in northeastern North America. We conducted a 3-yr herbicide efficacy study, with or without mowing, in an old-field site infested with V. nigrum in Dutchess County, NY, USA. Experimental plots were either herbicide treated in early July or mowed in early July and subsequently herbicide treated in late August for 2 yr with the potassium salt of glyphosate (2.02 kg ae ha−1), the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate (1.35 kg ae ha−1), or the butoxyethyl ester of triclopyr (1.79 kg ae ha−1). Both glyphosate formulations were effective in reducing V. nigrum aboveground biomass, although they were somewhat less effective in reducing cover or stem densities of V. nigrum plants >10-cm tall after 2 yr compared with untreated plots. Mowing did not always enhance the efficacy of foliar glyphosate applications. Triclopyr, with or without mowing, was generally not effective against V. nigrum in our study. The only significant effect of triclopyr was to increase the cover of grasses in the plots. While annual applications of glyphosate can be useful for management of V. nigrum infestations, higher rates and more frequent applications of triclopyr need to be investigated to determine its usefulness for V. nigrum control.

Asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis L.) is becoming increasingly invasive in Christmas tree plantations in the U.S. Northeast. Response of C. communis to preemergence or postemergence herbicides was evaluated in separate field and greenhouse experiments. The preemergence herbicides consisted of two application rates of flumioxazin (215 and 429 g ai ha−1), hexazinone plus sulfometuron-methyl (316 and 527 g ai ha−1), indaziflam (41 and 82 g ai ha−1), and S-metolachlor (2,136 and 4,272 g ai ha−1). The postemergence herbicides were: bentazon at 1,121 g ai ha−1, clopyralid at 280 g ae ha−1, mesotrione at 526 g ai ha−1, topramezone at 294 g ai ha−1, and triclopyr at 842 g ae ha−1. At 16 wk after treatment, higher rates of flumioxazin (429 g ha−1), hexazinone plus sulfometuron-methyl (527 g ha−1), indaziflam (82 g ha−1), and S-metolachlor (4,272 ha−1) provided 80% to 92% control and reduced C. communis plant density by 84% to 93% compared with the nontreated control. The lower rates of flumioxazin (215 g ha−1), hexazinone plus sulfometuron-methyl (316 g ha−1), and S-metolachlor (2,136 ha−1) gave 65% to 72% control and reduced C. communis plant density by 27% to 75% compared with the nontreated control. The postemergence application of mesotrione at 526 g ha−1, topramezone at 294 g ha−1, and triclopyr at 842 g ha−1 resulted in 76% to 90% control and reduction in dry biomass of 10- to 12-leaf C. communis at 28 d after treatment. Bentazon at 1,121 g ha−1 and clopyralid at 280 g ha−1 applied postemergence were ineffective with <10% control and reduction in C. communis dry biomass. This study showed that C. communis can be managed effectively with currently registered preemergence and postemergence herbicides in Christmas trees.

Invasive plants in the riparian zone can negatively affect the characteristics and quality of a watershed. To support the development of a watershed management plan and foster public appreciation of the value of the riparian zone, Mohonk Preserve established a volunteer monitoring program surveying sites for invasive species. Between 2017 and 2019, citizen scientists repeatedly surveyed 20 sites in the Hudson River Valley in New York for 10 invasive plant species: purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.), common reed [Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud], multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb.), garlic mustard [Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande], dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis L.), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc.), wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius Maxim.), barberry (Berberis spp.), Japanese stiltgrass [Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus], and Asiatic bittersweet (oriental bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.). We found that the number of target species detected was higher on sites closer to paved roads and with increasing drainage area size, while lower with higher percentages of forested land in the basin. Our analysis results highlight variation in the presence of target invasive species across the Hudson River Valley region, highlighting sites and areas to monitor for future introductions and take action to prevent species’ invasions. Our results highlight differences in the most relevant abiotic factors for hydrophytes and non-hydrophyte species, underscoring the importance of considering species’ life-history traits before the development of management plans for invasive plant species in the riparian zone. Our case study of community-collected data in the Hudson River Valley region using a relatively simple monitoring protocol can provide a road map for other regions fostering volunteer engagement with invasive plants.

There is limited documentation of cross-tenure collaborative weed management programs, and no consistent set of metrics for evaluating their performance. In this study, 12 weed management practitioners in southeast Australia participated in a qualitative social research project to discuss and document examples of cross-tenure collaborative weed management and critically reflect on whether existing metrics are suitable for evaluating the performance of their programs. Analysis of focus group discussions, project documentation, subsequent reflections, and review of the literature reveal that weed management practitioners, in Australia and elsewhere, mostly rely on metrics that measure weed management inputs, such as herbicides, labor, and costs. Metrics used to evaluate social outcomes focus on benefits for individuals rather than social relationships or achievement of equitable outcomes. Social research on collaborative governance and social science methods more broadly, such as social network analysis and collective narratives, could be used by weed management practitioners to better evaluate and explain social–ecological outcomes over time.

Tahitian bridal veil [Gibasis pellucida (M. Martens & Galeotti) D.R. Hunt], a Central and South America native plant that is often confused with another more well-known invasive plant, small leaf spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis Vell.), has become invasive in natural areas throughout Florida. However, very little is known regarding herbicide control or other methods. To begin the process of developing herbicide recommendations for land managers who are working to control G. pellucida, multiple postemergence herbicides were screened for efficacy in a shaded greenhouse to determine active ingredients and/or combinations that warrant further investigation under field conditions. Nine different herbicides or combinations, including glyphosate, triclopyr acid, 2,4-D + triclopyr, aminopyralid, 2,4-D, triclopyr amine, metsulfuron-methyl, fluroxypyr, and glufosinate, were applied at standard label rates and compared with a nontreated control group. Visual control ratings were taken at 2, 4, and 8 wk after treatment (WAT), and shoot dry weights were determined at trial conclusion (8 WAT). Data showed glufosinate and triclopyr (acid and amine) provided the highest level of control, as evidenced by control ratings (100% or complete control) and shoot fresh weight reduction, followed by 2,4-D + triclopyr (∼70%) and fluroxypyr (∼50% control). Metsulfuron-methyl and 2,4-D provided the lowest level of control, with results similar to those for nontreated plants on most evaluation dates.