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Chemical Control of Three Chihuahuan Desert Shrubs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Ervin M. Schmutz*
Affiliation:
Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arizona, Tucson
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Abstract

Foliar and soil herbicidal treatments were made on creosotebush (Larrea tridentata (DC.) Cov.), tarbush Flourensia cernua DC.), and whitethorn (Acacia constricta Benth.) near Tombstone, Arizona, from 1957 to 1964. All herbicides were most effective when applied approximately 30 days after initiation of the summer rainy season. The herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) were about equal in effectiveness, but the relative susceptibility of the individual shrubs to the herbicides varied with treatment conditions. The acetic form of 2,4,5-T generally was more effective than the propionic; propylene glycol butyl ether, iso-octyl, and tetrahydrofurfuryl esters more effective than pentyl. Foliar applications of 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram) were most effective on whitethorn, intermediate on creosotebush, and least effective on tarbush. The most effective soil herbicidal treatments were 3-phenyl-1,1-dimethylurea (fenuron) and 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (monuron). In general, effective control of dominant Chihuahuan Desert shrubs required 2 to 4 lb/A of 2,4-D or 2,4,5-T, 14 to 1 lb/A of picloram, or 2 lb/A of fenuron or monuron.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1967 Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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