A new seed enhancement technology for revegetating exotic annual grass-invaded rangelands

Authors: CLENET, DANIELLE - Oregon State University; Davies, Kirk

Submitted to: Cattleman's Magazine
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/30/2019
Publication Date: 2/1/2020
Citation: Clenet, D., Davies, K.W. 2020. A new seed enhancement technology for revegetating exotic annual grass-invaded rangelands. Cattleman's Magazine. 2020: 24-27.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Exotic annual grasses can be undesirable forage for both wildlife and livestock and high ground cover of these grasses results in an undesirable grass-fire cycle. Seeding desired species into annual grass dominated areas is very difficult. Pre-emergent herbicides are often used to control annual grasses but delay seeding of desirable species in order to avoid non-target damage. Activated carbon pods can be combined with herbicidal annual grass control because they protect desired seed within them. New field research with five desirable bunchgrass species, two shrub species, and the pre-emergent herbicide, imazapic, found that activated carbon pods protected desired seed from herbicide and resulted in greater cover and density of seeded crested wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Wyoming big sagebrush. Activated carbon pods require further refinement but are promising as a tool for revegetation efforts.