THE LATEST TOOLS IN HERBICIDE TECHNOLOGY AND EXTENDING LABELS FOR INVASIVES. David J. Moorhead, Warnell School of Forest Resources and the Bugwood Network. Tifton, GA 31793. (moorhead@uga.edu)

ABSTRACT

As awareness of the impacts of invasive weeds on forests, rangelands, aquatic habits and other natural areas are realized by managers and even the general public control efforts have dramatically increased in recent years. Effective invasive weed control relies on Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) to integrate basic plant response (plant ecology/physiology) along with control technologies including establishment prevention, cultural, biological, mechanical and chemical treatments. Herbicides play a key role in invasive weed IVM and we are seeing great strides in their use and technology of application. Control of invasive weeds represents a rapidly expanding market across the United States for vendors and chemical manufacturers. The herbicide market for control of invasive weeds in grazing and rangeland sites in the western U.S. expanded by more than 30% from 2001 to 2003 (1). This additional market share can provide opportunities for companies to focus herbicide use on specific invasives. In response to this expanding market BASF's Plateau, Dow AgroSciences' Grazon P+D, and DuPont's Cimmaron have been introduced. In forest management herbicides have been used for the last 50 years in generally a "broad-brush" scope of weed control focused on herbaceous or woody weeds as a group that would impact seedling and tree survival and growth. However, as we become concerned with control of invasive weeds in natural and managed habitats, our focus is often on control of a single invasive species with minimal impact on the native vegetation still present on the site. Applications of IVM techniques along with specific herbicides and timing of applications can provide some selectivity of control. Additionally, herbicide manufactures are looking at tailoring herbicides for control of specific invasive weeds. Research on physiology and ecology of invasive weed species, screening of herbicides and application technologies derived from precision agriculture are providing expanded opportunities for invasive IVM.

LITERATURE CITED

(1) Kline & Co. 2004. The U.S. industrial vegetation management market for pesticides and fertilizers. http://www.klinegroup.com/6_20040617.htm