Laserfiche WebLink
system which alters the season of use, rotates livestock to allow plants to recover <br />before being regrazed and promotes litter accumulation. <br />Containing Infestations <br />An integral part of any integrated weed management program is the commit- <br />ment to contain existing weed infestations. Generally, this includes along-term <br />program of annual border spraying of the outside perimeter of the infestation <br />with herbicides. <br />Early Detection and Small-Scale Eradication <br />Detecting satellite infestations and implementing eradication programs is an <br />important step in integrated weed management. Local systematic surveys along <br />roadways, railways and waterways to detect weed infestations as early as pos- <br />sible are important. Once an infestation is found, asmall-scale eradication plan, <br />consisting of control treatments, control schedule, revegetafion, follow-up moni- <br />toring and costs should be designed and implemented. <br />Control <br />Mechanical Control <br />Diligent hand pulling or grubbing can provide control of very small infes- <br />tations. Hand pulling of above ground plant parts is ineffective. Successful hand <br />pulling or digging requires complete plant removal within 10 days after weed <br />emergence throughout the growing season for two to four years. Hand pulling <br />and digging can be a useful method for controlling new introductions of white- <br />top in riparian areas and around the home. Removing whitetop is best accom- <br />plished when the soil is moist. <br />Successful eradication on arable land by cultivation is difficult since it requires <br />exhausting the root reserves. Cultivation six inches deep must be repeated within <br />10 days of weed emergence throughout the growing season for two to four years. <br />Mowing to ground level during flowering reduces biomass and seed pro- <br />duction, but does not provide long-term control. However, preliminary research <br />results indicate that mowing integrated with an appropriate herbicide about a <br />month later can be effective. <br />Cultural Control <br />Planfing competitive legumes, such as alfalfa, can reduce whitetop in crop-pas- <br />turerotations. Extremely dense stands of legumes can successfully compete for <br />soil moisture and shade the weeds. <br />Flooding can be a useful method for controlling whitetop, but is of limited <br />use since this will permanently damage desired plants, and only a few acres are <br />suited for flooding. Flooding is useful in areas with soil texture heavy enough to <br />hold water without excessive seepage and where fertility loss following pro- <br />