Control of huisache and honey mesquite with a carpeted roller herbicide applicator.

Abstract

Several herbicides were evaluated for control of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.) and huisache [Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.] using a tractor-mounted carpeted roller. Foliar sprays of picloram + 2,4,5-T at 0.28 + 0.28 and 0.56 + 0.56 kg/ha were included for comparison. When applied by carpeted roller, picloram at 60 g/L killed about 40% of the honey mesquite plants whereas 120 g/L killed 63 to 83% of the plants after 2 years. Clopyralid at 60 or 120 g/L killed 65% or more of the plants. Mixtures of picloram + clopyralid (1:1) at 30 + 30 g/L killed 53 to 73%, whereas 60 + 60 g/L killed 93 to 98% of the honey mesquite. Clopralid + triclopyr (1:1) 30 + 30 g/L killed 48 to 58% of the plants, while 60 + 60 g/L killed 80 to 95%. Picloram + 2,4,5-T (1:1) applied by the carpeted roller was usually more effective than foliar sprays of picloram + 2,4,5-T. For huisache, picloram, clopyralid, or picloram + clopyalid at a total of 60 or 120 g/L killed 60% or more of the plants after 1 year. Picloram + clopyralid at 60 + 60 g/ L applied in 1983 and 1984 killed 92% or more of the huisache. Picloram + 2,4,5-T at 60 + 60 g/L killed 73 to 83%, but foliar sprays of picloram + 2,4,5-T were sometimes ineffective. Glyphosate, dicamba, triclopyr and 2,4,5-T applied alone reduced the canopy of honey mesquite and huisache but usually killed few plants. Honey mesquite was controlled from spring applications, whereas, summer and fall treatments controlled huisacbe.