ARS | Publication request: Promoting Native Vegetation in Medusahead Infestations

Submitted to: Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2009
Publication Date: June 1, 2009
Citation: Davies, K.W., Sheley, R.L., Nafus, A. 2009. Promoting Native Vegetation in Medusahead Infestations. p. 50-55. In: Range Field Day 2009: Progress Report. Oregon State Unviersity Special Report 1092. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center.

Interpretive Summary: Restoring medusahead-infested native communities may be most successful if there is enough remnant native vegetation to eliminate the need for revegetation efforts. Prescribed burning followed by imazapic (Plateau®1) application provided the best control of medusahead and resulted in the greatest increases in native vegetation density, cover, and diversity. Native vegetation can be at least partially restored in medusahead infestations by selectively controlling medusahead without implementing seeding treatments.

Technical Abstract: Restoring medusahead-infested native communities may be most successful if there is enough remnant native vegetation to eliminate the need for revegetation efforts. Prescribed burning followed by imazapic (Plateau®1) application provided the best control of medusahead and resulted in the greatest increases in native vegetation density, cover, and diversity. Native vegetation can be at least partially restored in medusahead infestations by selectively controlling medusahead without implementing seeding treatments.