1. Weed-Suppressive Bacteria Applied as a Spray or Seed Mixture Did Not Control Bromus tectorum
- Author
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David A. Pyke, Michael A. Gregg, Julie Lorton Conley, and Scott E. Shaff
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Biomass (ecology) ,Ecology ,biology ,food and beverages ,Pseudomonas fluorescens ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Bromus tectorum ,Native plant ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,Seed mixture ,010601 ecology ,Agronomy ,040103 agronomy & agriculture ,0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Weed ,Bacteria ,Completely randomized design ,Nature and Landscape Conservation - Abstract
We conducted two case studies testing effectiveness of a soil-borne bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain D7, in controlling Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) when mixed with native seeds sown after a fire and when sprayed on a native community with high abundances of B. tectorum. Each case study area (162 ha) compared treatments with D7 present and absent and was replicated four times (20.3 ha each) in a completely randomized design. Response variables (foliar cover, aboveground biomass, and density of B. tectorum; density of sown native plants) were measured pretreatment for the sprayed area and each year for 3 yr after treatment at both study areas and were evaluated as a repeated measures analysis. Foliar cover, biomass, and density of B. tectorum with sprayed or seed mixture applications did not differ between D7-treated and untreated areas at any time within the study (F1,6 ≤ 1.42; P ≥ 0.28). D7 as a seed mixture did not significantly impact densities of native seedlings (F1,6 = 1.27; P = 0.30) at any time during the study. Results contrasted with previous D7 studies that showed effective control of B. tectorum within 3 yr of treatment. Since bioherbicidal methods are being commonly applied, we believe that reporting negative results is important for future meta-analytical studies that provide managers with information on the likelihood for weed-suppressive bacteria to effectively control weeds.
- Published
- 2020
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