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Establishment and Seed Production of Native Forbs Used for Restoration Jessica Wiese Montana State University Fabian Menalled, Bruce Maxwell, James Jacobs, Susan Winslow

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Why wildflower management? High value crop with very specific management - $40-250 per lb, depending on species Importance of ecological diversity - Seed mixes typically grasses - Open niche - Ecological services of diversity

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High demand for restoration and seed production National Parks and severely disturbed sites

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RestorationProduction

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Factors affecting establishment Seed viability Seed germination Source of seed Weed competition Herbicide response

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Objectives Compare effects of pre- and post-emergence herbicides on wildflower seedling establishment, injury, and seed production Evaluate effects of each herbicide on weed control Assess the economics of weed management

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Components greenhouse post pre field

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Wildflower species: 5 wildflower species: Dalea candida Gaillardia aristata Phacelia hastata Penstemon eriantherus Ratibida columnifera White prairieclover Blanketflower Silverleaf phacelia Fuzzytongue penstemon Prairie Coneflower

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Greenhouse herbicide screening Identify pre- and post-emergent herbicides that do not cause seedling damage

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Pre-emergence screening 5 soil applied pre-emergent herbicide Dacthal WP (DCPA), Spartan (sulfentrazone), Aatrex (atrazine), Surflan (oryzalin), Treflan, (trifluralin) Randomized split-plot with four replications Living seedlings per row, leaves formed per seedling, height, dry weight

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Pre emergence results P