Publication Date
1993
Description
A 3-year study was conducted lo determine the influence of 2 herbicides (2,4-D and glyphosate) and 3 fertilisers (containing N, P or K), in conjunctiun with pasture renovation, on ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.) populations and pasture productivity in a perennial ryegrass-white clover hill country pasture. Glyphosate-treated plots often contained higher ragwort numbers than 2,4-D treated plots, probably because the glyphosate treatment caused greater discontinuity of pasture. Both N and P fertilisers had a consistently strong beneficial effect on pasture, which resulted in substantial inhibition of ragwort populations. During the end of each of the first 2 years of the study, 2,4-D was applied to half of each plot; this application substantially reduced ragwort numbers initially, but resulted in increased ragwort numbers during the third year, probably as a result of gaps created by suppression of broadleaf components of the pasture. It is concluded that maintenance of a continuous, gap-free pasture (especially by enhanced fertilisation) is essential in managing problem ragwort populations.
Citation
Rahman, A; NIcholson, K S.; and Wardle, D A., "Effects of Herbicides and Fertilizers on Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.) in Hill Country Pastures" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 10.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session11/10
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of Herbicides and Fertilizers on Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.) in Hill Country Pastures
A 3-year study was conducted lo determine the influence of 2 herbicides (2,4-D and glyphosate) and 3 fertilisers (containing N, P or K), in conjunctiun with pasture renovation, on ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.) populations and pasture productivity in a perennial ryegrass-white clover hill country pasture. Glyphosate-treated plots often contained higher ragwort numbers than 2,4-D treated plots, probably because the glyphosate treatment caused greater discontinuity of pasture. Both N and P fertilisers had a consistently strong beneficial effect on pasture, which resulted in substantial inhibition of ragwort populations. During the end of each of the first 2 years of the study, 2,4-D was applied to half of each plot; this application substantially reduced ragwort numbers initially, but resulted in increased ragwort numbers during the third year, probably as a result of gaps created by suppression of broadleaf components of the pasture. It is concluded that maintenance of a continuous, gap-free pasture (especially by enhanced fertilisation) is essential in managing problem ragwort populations.
