Control of Reed Canary Grass

(Phalaris arundinacea) on Ted Shanks CA

Ryan KellyWildlife Biologist

Slides Compliments of Frank Nelson

Background on RCG life historyHistory of RCG at ShanksControl efforts at ShanksLessons Learned

Plan of Attack

Photos by: Stephen L. Solheim, Wisconsin State Herbarium & Jim Randall, TNC

Invasive perennial grass (wide genetic variability)

Prefers moist, drained soils on altered or disturbed sites riverbanks, wet meadows, marshland, mudflats, ditches, etc

Heavy shade intolerant (early 1900’s agronomic trials)

Used for forage and erosion control (MDC privateland grass list)

Reed Canary Grass

Cool season grassCool season grass

First to grow in springFirst to grow in spring

5-7 weeks of above 5-7 weeks of above

ground growthground growth

2-9 ft after this period2-9 ft after this period

Photo by: The Nature Conservancy

Mid-June the seeds ripen

600 seeds/stem (Klopatek and Stearns 1978)

No time or temperature requirement for germination (Vose 1962)

Can float for 1-2 days

Germination requires light on moist soil

Most germination:

Late summer and decreases next spring (Vose 1962, Lindig-Cisneros and Zedler 2002)

Not viable after 2 years of saturation (Comes et al. 1978, Coops et al. 1996)

The longevity of seeds is questionable

Photo by Jim Randall, TNC

Clonal plants

Low energy reserves in May and June

because of above ground growth & seed

development

After flowering, energy is allocated to tiller (new shoots & rhizomes) development

Network of rhizomes forms 2-5 inch layer of sod

Accumulation of carbohydrates highest during fall below ground energy greatest during winter

History of RCG at Shanks

Seeded on new wetland levees in late 1970s

Ted Shanks

CA

Photo by: Barry Rice, TNC

USDA, PLANTS Database Canadian Wildlife Service

1980

GREAT FLOOD OF 1993

• Creates opportunity for RCG

1997

2003

SPRING 2004

M & E

M & E Results

According to Field

Horseshoe Field

Rainbow Field

Central Field

Examine Each Type of Treatment

● Disking

● Disking &Herbicide

● Disk & Cover Crop

● Fire

Monotypic stands Timing: Before flowering

or Before fall senescence

Moldboard plow or Offset disk initially + finish disk as needed in following months

Advantages: Removes new growth Chops up sod layer Depletes rhizome reserves Mixes seed bank

DISKING

Timing: Before flowering or Before fall senescence

Best bang for buck: Fall application, spring follow up

Spot treat in cool season

More than one treatment required

Advantages: May allow sunlight to reach soil (sod layer?) Depletes rhizome reserves

HERBICIDE

Takes advantageof multiple treatments(Disking, shade, herbicide)

Reduces RCG, yet provides wildlife value

Allows seed bank to respond and come in under planted crop

COVER CROP

warm season crop, additional growing season required Roundup Ready Corn ®

Winter wheat or ryecool season crop, following growing season

Advantages of Winter Wheat

• Relatively inexpensive and easy

• Cool season. Outcompetes RCG

• Wheat is allelopathic

• Can get multiple years from one planting by mowing wheat/second crop

• Beneficial to wide array of critters

FIRE Removes biomass and litter

Timing: Late spring

May kill seeds (hot burn)

Stimulate rhizomes to re-sprout

Use with other management treatments

Disadvantages: RCG benefits from high light conditions after burn Reduces RCG’s competition in mixed stands Timing and frequency is critical

CONTROL EFFORTS (2004) BURNING

• Remove residual growth exposing debris

• Only used during the first year

LOTS OF DEBRIS

DEBRIS REMOVAL

• Approx. 1,400 acres cleared starting in 2004 and ending in 2007

FIRST YEAR TREATMENT

• Heavy disking to breakup sod

FINISH DISK

• Further breakup sod and deplete rhizomes

• Smooth fields

FINISH DISK UP TO 4 TIMES IN THE FIRST YEAR

• Leave fallow

• Plant cover crop (winter wheat)

MARCH 2004

APRIL 2004

JUNE 2004

SEPTEMBER 2004

Remove residual RCG biomass and/or sod Exhaust RCG rhizomes/ multiple treatments

Revegetate as soon as possible

Be cognizant of micro topography

Monitor and quickly remove new invading populations to prevent their spread

Lessons Learned

Cover Crop Disk + Wheat + Wicking Herbicide Mow + Fire + Herbicide Spring herbicide + Summer disking,

w/ follow up herbicide next growing season

INTEGRATED APPROACHSite Characteristics

Utilize strengths and weakness of treatments

Good Luck