Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Effectiveness of the pre-emergent herbicide indaziflam on the restoration of cheatgrass (bromus tectorum l.) infested rangelands in montana(Montana State University, 2020) Hauptman, Ben Cameron; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Jane M. MangoldCheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) is an invasive annual grass that was introduced to North America in the 1850s and is very abundant over 210,000 km2 in the western United States and is found in every Montana county. Cheatgrass encroachment negatively effects native vegetation in rangelands and results in losses of forage for livestock and wildlife, and its management is difficult. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if the use of indaziflam (Esplanade 200SC®) is an effective way to restore cheatgrass infested rangelands in Montana by decreasing cheatgrass abundance and increasing perennial grass abundance. The characteristics of indaziflam may provide an opportunity for rangeland managers to manage cheatgrass successfully. On ranches near Hall and Big Timber, Montana, I used a completely random design to compare vegetation in indaziflam treated plots and non-treated plots. Plots were sprayed in August 2018 with indaziflam using a CO2 powered handheld boom sprayer at a rate of 350 g/ha. Canopy cover and biomass of cheatgrass was reduced in the indaziflam treated plots at both sites. Canopy cover was 32.7% and 50.5% in non-treated plots and 0.55% and 0.80% in indaziflam-treated plots, cheatgrass biomass was reduced from 53.4 g/m2 and 82.2 g/m2 to 1.67 g/m2 and 2.8 g/m2. Perennial grasses responded to indaziflam treatments by producing more biomass, 204 g/m2 and 113.4 g/m2 in indaziflam treated plots compared to 74.2 g/m2 and 68.04 g/m2 in non-treated plots. Canopy cover in indaziflam treated plots was not different compared to non-treated plots. Annual forb canopy cover and biomass was also reduced in the treated plots and were nearly absent following indaziflam applications. Perennial forb abundance was not different between plots that had been treated and the non-treated plots. Indaziflam effectively controlled cheatgrass at both sites. Increases in forage production indicate perennial grasses were more vigorous following the reduction of cheatgrass. Livestock producers would expect an increase in animal units per month (AUMs)/acre on rangelands treated with indaziflam, but grazing management and the cost of herbicide application indicate more long-term research is needed to determine if this would be an economically viable option for land managers.