Carefully timed burning can control barb goatgrass

DiTomaso, J; Keiffer, R; Merenlender, A; Kyser, G; Heise, K

Carefully timed burning can control barb goatgrass

Authors

Joseph M. DiTomaso
Robert J. Keiffer
Adina M. Merenlender
Guy B. Kyser
Kerry L. Heise

Authors Affiliations

J.M. DiTomaso is Extension Weed Specialist, UC Davis; R.J. Keiffer is Principal Superintendent of Agriculture, HREC; A.M. Merenlender is Extension Specialist, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, UC Berkeley; G.B. Kyser is Staff Research Associate, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis; K.L. Heise is Botanist and Staff Research Associate, UC Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program, UC Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 55(6):47-53. DOI:10.3733/ca.v055n06p47. November 2001.

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Abstract

Barb goatgrass is a noxious annual grass that is rapidly invading California's grassland ecosystems. No effective control strategies for managing barb goatgrass have been available that do not simultaneously injure other more desirable grass and broadleaf species. In our study at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center, we conducted prescribed burning in late spring or early summer before barb goatgrass seeds had reached maturation. One year of prescribed burning was not sufficient to control re-establishment the following year. However, 2 years of complete burning gave effective control of barb goatgrass while increasing native perennial grass cover and native species richness, particularly legumes. The success of the goatgrass control was directly proportional to the completeness of the second-year burn.

References

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