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The Covey Headquarters Newsletter
Habitat is the Key for Bobwhites' Tremendous Reproductive Potential
- continued

Sericea Lespedeza Control

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is an introduced perennial legume that came from eastern Asia. Sericea was originally introduced to the United States as an erosion controlling plant, but quickly turned into a very invasive weed.

Control methods:

Mowing- Mowing sericea plants low will keep them from setting seed and will weaken plants, but it will not kill them.

Grazing- Grazing early in the year will reduce sericea growth, but will not kill plants.

Burning- Use of fire will not reduce sericea, but will actually stimulate sericea seed germination. Although this sounds bad, it can be used to improve control by using a burn to stimulate sericea growth and then using chemicals to kill the resultant growth.

Chemical treatment- Spraying sericea plants with a variety of herbicides is the only known way to significantly reduce and control sericea populations. Always read and follow chemical labels. Several chemicals can be used to kill sericea:

Remedy (tryclopyr) - a broadleaf herbicide, will not kill grasses, use June-September Broadcast application - 1.0 - 1.5 pints per acre during active vegetative growth. Spot treatment - use 1% solution (1.33 oz. per gallon) during active vegetative growth.

Pasturegard (tryclopyr/fluroxypyr) - similar to Remedy

Cimarron (metsulfuron) - a broadleaf herbicide, will not kill grasses, use August-September Broadcast application - 0.5 oz/acre plus non-ionic surfactant according to label. Apply from beginning of flower bud initiation to full bloom stage. Spot treatment - 1 oz. per 100 gallons of water plus non-ionic surfactant according to label. Apply from beginning of flower bud initiation to full bloom stage.

Round-up - (glyphosate) - a non selective herbicide, will kill anything green, use in areas with no desirable plants, or in heavy patches of sericea.

2,4-D - common broadleaf herbicide, has limited success with sericea control.

Recommended plan of attack: Use a prescribed burn to stimulate germination of sericea seed. Be ready to use chemicals starting in June and check back every month through September. Spray ALL patches and single plants with herbicide. Check fields in June every year and continue to treat with approved chemicals. Sericea control often takes several years to see results. Be sure to read and follow all herbicide labels.

HERBICIDES FOR CORN, SORGHUM, AND SOYBEAN FOOD PLOTS
Most weeds are beneficial to quail and will last longer than the grain you plant. Weedy food plots provide excellent brooding and winter feeding areas. If your food plots continue to fail because of excessive weed competition, herbicide applications may help alleviate the problem. Use light herbicide applications if your food plots are not producing any grain. A number of other herbicides exist besides the ones listed here. Be aware that a large number of post-emergence corn herbicides are very damaging to grain sorghum. Always read and follow chemical labels. Labels can be found at www.greenbook.net. Always locate your food plots next to shrubby cover.

Axiom, Dual, Harness, Degree, Outlook.	These are the preemergence grass herbicides which do not include atrazine. Axiom, Harness and Degree are only registered on corn.
2,4-D, Clarity, Distinct.	These are postemergence herbicides which control broadleaf weeds. Use caution when using them near sensitive, desirable broadleaf plants.
Roundup Ready System and glyphosate	This is one of the simplest and most effective weed control programs available. Glyphosate can be applied almost any time on an as-needed basis. However, the ideal timings would be approximately 2 weeks before planting, followed by a second application approximately 4 weeks after planting. There is a week or two of flexibility in these timings if optimum yield is important, and additional applications may be made if needed. Be sure to follow the label recommendations on the glyphosate product regarding adding a surfactant. Some glyphosate products require surfactant and some do not. Special Note: If you are planting your crop using no-tillage methods, you need to apply glyphosate 1 to 3 weeks before planting (whether your crop Roundup Ready or not) to kill weeds that may be present at planting time. Failure to make a burndown application will severely inhibit the growth of your food crop.

Roundup Ready System and Glyphosate	Follow recommendations for corn and sorghum.
Assure, Fusion, Fusilade, Poast, Select	These herbicides provide postemergence control of small actively growing grasses. Be sure to add a crop oil concentrate.
Storm, Scepter, Reflex, Flexstar, FirstRate, Synchrony	These herbicides provide postemergence control of small, actively-growing, broadleaf weeds. Follow label directions for the addition of surfactants and crop oils.

Again, only use herbicides if your food plots aren't producing grain. Make sure you are providing all other habitat components before planting food plots.

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The Covey Headquarters Newsletter
3915 Oakland Ave
St Joseph, Missouri
Volume 4 - Issue 2 - Summer 2005

The Covey Headquarters Newsletter is a joint effort of the Missouri Department of Conservation, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Missouri Extension and Quail Unlimited.

Articles

Plants You Should Know: Native Perennial Food

Build it and they will come

EQIP proves to be positive for quail numbers

Habitat is the Key for Bobwhites

Brood Habitat - An Overlooked Habitat Component?

Covey Management Calendar

A New Quail Habitat Model

Habitat Improvement

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