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Dense stands of Russian thistle will out - compete the relatively young perennial seedlings for <br />moisture and nutrients. While some of the more aggressive perennial grasses would be expected <br />to persist with this competition the stand diversity and vigor would most likely suffer. The trick to <br />using herbicides in this situation is to preserve the desirable forbs and shrubs while controlling the <br />Russian thistle. <br />A minimal dose of 2,4 -D can be used in this situation. The key is to have the application rate <br />sufficient to control the Russian thistle but not adversely impact the desirable forbs and shrubs. <br />Seedlings are generally most susceptible to herbicides when they are very young. Thus timing is <br />critical and waiting until the thistle seedlings are even one or two inches taller may cause <br />unsatisfactory results at very light application rates. <br />Similar strategies may be available for other weeds such as blue or tumble mustard. However, <br />consideration should then be given to using Telar or Escort instead of 2,4 -D due to the known <br />sensitivity of mustards to these products. <br />Minor Revision #157 (10/2013) V -71 <br />