ARS | Publication request: RHIZOBACTERIA INHIBITORY TO GRASS WEEDS.

Submitted to: Northwest Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2004
Publication Date: March 25, 2004
Citation: Kennedy, A. C., Stubbs, T. L., Venable, R. E. 2004. Rhizobacteria inhibitory to grass weeds. In: Northwest Scientific Association 77th Annual Meeting. March 24-27, 2004. Ellensburg, WA. p. 28.

Technical Abstract: Soil bacteria have been discovered that can be used as biological agents to suppress downy brome and certain other grass weeds in small grains. Our research on these organisms has shown that their use has the potential to reduce tillage, agrochemical usage and related ground and surface water contamination. Rhizobacteria can be grown, formulated and field-applied using standard commercial technology. When applied to field soil, these naturally occurring bacteria selectively suppress the growth of seedling downy brome and jointed goatgrass growing in the presence of wheat or barley. The use of bacteria as bioherbicides offers producers and land managers a conceptually new and ecologically sound approach for selective control of difficult weeds in crops and rangeland.