Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil), glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine), picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid), simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis (ethylamino)-s-triazine], and hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione] were evaluated at four application rates and five application dates, May 1, June 1, July 1, August 1, and September 1, for their ability to control seven herbaceous, forest ground covers, hayscented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Michx.) Moore), New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis L.), short husk grass (Brachyelytrum erectum Schreb.), bracken fern [Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw.], wild oat grass (Danthonia compressa Aust.), rough goldenrod (Solidago rugosa Mill.), and flattop aster (Aster umbellatus Mill.) without residual effects on black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) seed stored in the forest floor, or on survival and growth of natural or planted black cherry seedlings. Control of most of the target species depended on the date and rate of application. Simazine had no herbicidal effect on these extremely acid (pH 3.9 to 4.4) Allegheny Plateau sites. None of the herbicides interfered with germination of black cherry seed stored in the forest floor or with establishment of seedlings. Bromacil applied at 22.4 kg/ha, picloram, at 9.0 kg/ha, and hexazinone at 13.4 kg/ha reduced survival, or growth, or both, of black cherry seedlings planted in a forest opening. Glyphosate was the most economical herbicide that met the control criteria. Application of 1.1 kg/ha between August 1 and September 1 produced acceptable control of all target species for at least 3 yr.