Sericea Lespedeza Control Strategies Differ in Their Impacts on Overall Range Health and Native Plant Species Composition

Authors

G. A. Gatson, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
W. H. Fick, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
W. W. Hsu, Kansas State UniversityFollow
K C. Olson, Kansas State UniversityFollow

Keywords

prescribed burning, sericea lespedeza, tallgrass prairie

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) control strategies of late summer prescribed burning and fall her­bicide application on soil cover, native plant populations, and biological diversity.

Study Description:We established 16 individual units within an 80-acre native tallgrass pasture. Each unit was assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: control, spray only, burn only, or burn-plus-spray. Burn only and burn-plus-spray units were burned in early September. Spray only and burn-plus-spray units were sprayed with metsulfuron methyl (Escort XP, DuPont, Wilmington, DE) in late September. The change in soil cover and plant community composition from prior to treatment application to 1 year after treatment was measured.

The Bottom Line:The benefits of curbing a major invasion of sericea lespedeza may make burn-plus-spray a desirable short-term strategy in some instances, but widespread or extended use of the practice should be applied with caution.

Recommended Citation

Gatson, G. A.; Fick, W. H.; Hsu, W. W.; and Olson, K C. (2018) "Sericea Lespedeza Control Strategies Differ in Their Impacts on Overall Range Health and Native Plant Species Composition," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 4: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.7531