Will mesquite control with 2,4,5 T enhance grass production?

Both honey mesquite density and percent of plants dead the year of aerial spraying with 2,4,5-T proved to be major factors influencing perennial grass production. Sites with sparse honey mesquite stands and very dense stands (over 50% canopy cover) yielded little extra grass after 2,4,5-T applicatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of range management 1978-03, Vol.31 (2), p.129-131
Main Authors: Dahl, B.E, Sosebee, R.E, Goen, J.P, Brumley, C.S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerial application
Forage
Forest canopy
Grasses
Herbicides
Honey
Infestation
Pastures
Prosopis glandulosa
Spraying
Sprouts
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Summary:Both honey mesquite density and percent of plants dead the year of aerial spraying with 2,4,5-T proved to be major factors influencing perennial grass production. Sites with sparse honey mesquite stands and very dense stands (over 50% canopy cover) yielded little extra grass after 2,4,5-T application. Heavy mesquite foliage probably prevented adequate leaf coverage with 2,4,5-T in dense stands, and in sparse stands mesquite competed little with the herbaceous plants. Increased perennial grass production of about 540 lb/acre/year would be necessary over a 5-year period to break even with a $4.60/acre aerial application of 2,4,5-T. With honey mesquite cover of 30%, a plant kill over 80% the year of application was required to provide a 540 lb/acre/year grass increase. However, a 90% kill would provide nearly 750 lb/acre/year extra perennial grass. Thus, paying particular attention to optimum environmental factors and proper timing for the 2,4,5-T application can pay big dividends.
ISSN:0022-409X
2162-2728
DOI:10.2307/3897661