Cogongrass is ranked as the seventh worst invasive plant species worldwide and is both a significant economic and ecological threat to much of Alabama and the Southeast. A new study reports significant progress in the fight against cogongrass.
The report is published by Auburn University College of Agriculture associate professor and Extension specialist Stephen Enloe, along with Nancy Loewenstein, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences research fellow.
Cogongrass is an aggressive, highly flammable, nonnative grass that invades and can quickly overtake forests and other uncultivated areas. It spreads by seeds and by underground rhizomes and forms dense stands that choke out native plants. The cogongrass rhizome system can account for up to 80 percent of the weed’s biomass, making it difficult to eradicate.
“No research has successfully demonstrated eradication of an infestation of cogongrass before,” Enloe said. “So we are very excited that we know we can do it, even on some of the most severe infestations.”
The three-year study, conducted at Tillmans Corner and Bayou La Batre, Alabama, used herbicide treatments of glyphosate, imazapyr and a mixture of both. The combinations of herbicide treatments and application timing produced nine treatments in addition to a nontreated control.
From Southeast Farm Press: https://southeastfarmpress.com/management/new-study-shows-progress-towards-eradicating-cogongrass-infestations