Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T03:47:30.517Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Bristly Thistle and Its Control

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

D. E. Davis
Affiliation:
Botany and Plant Pathology Department, Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama
H. H. Funderburk Jr.
Affiliation:
Botany and Plant Pathology Department, Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama
D. R. Roberts
Affiliation:
Botany and Plant Pathology Department, Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama
Get access

Abstract

Bristly thistle (Cirsium horridulum Michx.) is an important perennial weed in Alabama pastures. It may remain vegetative many years before flowering and may regrow from the roots after flowering. A heavily infested pasture produced about 10,000 seedlings per acre per year of which 73% established from January through April. There was an average of 150 achenes per head but many did not contain fully developed seed. Essentially equal numbers of red and yellow flowered types were found. From two to as many as six successive cuttings below the soil surface were necessary to kill thistle plants. Thistles were effectively controlled by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1964 Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Coulter, John M. 1892. Manual of the plants of western Texas. Contrib. U. S. Nat. Herbarium 2:153345.Google Scholar
2. Davis, Donald E. 1961. The thistle—No. 1 pasture weed? Highlights Agr. Res. (Alabama) 8:13.Google Scholar
3. Fernald, M. L. 1950. Gray's manual of botany. Eighth ed. Am. Book Co., New York. 1632 p.Google Scholar
4. Harper, R. M. 1944. Weeds of Alabama. Geological Survey of Alabama Bull 53. Wetumpka Printing Co., Wetumpka. 275 p.Google Scholar
5. Jones, S. B. Jr., and Davis, D. E. 1963. Weeds of the Lower Coastal Plain in Alabama. Weeds 11:322323.Google Scholar
6. Mohr, Charles. 1901. Plant life of Alabama. Contrib. U. S. Nat. Herbarium 6:11921.Google Scholar
7. Small, J. K. 1933. Manual of southeastern flora. Univ. of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. 1554 p.Google Scholar
8. Welton, F. A., Morris, V. H., and Hartzler, A. J. 1929. Organic food reserves in relation to the eradication of Canada thistles. Ohio Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 441.Google Scholar