Reducing herbicide input and optimizing spray method can minimize nontarget impacts on native grassland plant species

Smith, Annabel L.; Kanjithanda, Raagini M.; Hayashi, Tobias; French, Jack; Milner, Richard N. C.

doi:10.1002/eap.2864

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 108 publications

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“…The introduction of competitive native species is also used, which can also effectively limit the development of smooth brome through natural competition [28,29,33,34]. Herbicide treatments can be effective, especially when applied selectively, reducing negative impacts on non-target species [35][36][37][38][39]. Good results are achieved by mechanical removal and controlled burning, which can disrupt the growth cycle of bromegrass and reduce its seed bank in the soil [29,40].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis L.)—A Versatile Grass: A Review

Mackiewicz-Walec,

Żarczyński,

Krzebietke

et al. 2024

Agriculture

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Smooth brome (Bromus inermis L.) is a species of perennial grass with growing economic importance. Initially, this species had attracted interest as a source of animal feed. Over the years, the interest in smooth brome increased significantly due to the growing knowledge about its advantages. The aim of this study was to explore the contemporary significance of smooth brome. This plant is characterized by a high tolerance to many negative environmental factors, such as periodic droughts, low temperatures and salinity, which contributes to its constant presence in the landscape of many countries. The moderate soil requirements of smooth brome, combined with the effective use of soil resources and rational nutrient utilization, contribute to high biomass yields that can reach 13 t/ha DM. The usefulness of this grass species in various management systems has been recognized in numerous research studies. Smooth brome can generate benefits in many branches of the economy. This efficient energy plant is used in paper production, and it is also recommended for the protection of fallow land or the reclamation of degraded land. Smooth brome prevents erosion, enhances biodiversity, and provides shelter for many animal species. This species fits well into the current assumptions of agricultural policy and increasingly demanding environmental standards. According to the latest guidelines, modern agriculture should pursue economic and environmental goals simultaneously. In this context, smooth brome constitutes a valuable link in sustainable development. Due to its numerous advantages, smooth brome not only provides high-quality feed and biomass but also effectively sequesters CO2, improves soil fertility and enhances biodiversity, which makes it an important element of agriculture and environmental protection.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis L.)—A Versatile Grass: A Review

Mackiewicz-Walec,

Żarczyński,

Krzebietke

et al. 2024

Agriculture

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Effects of abiotic restoration through rock addition on invertebrate functional diversity in native temperate grasslands

Roberts,

Milner,

Howland

et al. 2024

Restoration Ecology

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Invertebrates account for over 90% of all described species and provide crucial ecosystem services. Land clearing, including the removal of abiotic habitat features, threatens invertebrate biodiversity, making environmental restoration crucial for conservation. However, little is known about the effects of abiotic restoration compared to the restoration of biotic features. To determine if rock addition increased invertebrate biodiversity, we introduced 120 t of rocks to 10 sites across five grassland reserves in the Australian Capital Territory in a before‐after‐control‐impact design. We sampled invertebrates using pitfall traps before treatment in 2016 and after rock addition in 2019 (during record‐breaking drought). We recorded 29,164 individual invertebrates from 19 orders and undertook a functional trait‐based analysis of rock effects on the invertebrate community. No effects of rock addition were observed on the probability of occurrence, richness, diversity, community similarity, or abundance of any taxonomic or functional group. The abundance of snare‐building spiders and large ants was higher in the control plots at the end of the experiment. These abundance responses in 2019 did not differ from the control or treatment plots in 2016. Thus, some combination of drought and rock addition appears to have neutralized a positive temporal change that was evident without rocks. Despite a regionwide, replicated restoration effort and an extensive functional analysis of invertebrate communities, very little positive response to rock addition was recorded. Rock addition did not have a negative effect on grassland invertebrate biodiversity and may still be beneficial to the long‐term conservation and restoration of vertebrate and invertebrate communities.

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Seasonal comparison of household vinegar and glyphosate treatments on Microstegium vimineum removal in the North Carolina, United States piedmont

Martinez,

Siegert,

Granger

et al. 2024

Restoration Ecology

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Microstegium vimineum, or Japanese stiltgrass, is an invasive species that readily outcompetes native vegetation and is of poor forage quality for wildlife. This species is widespread throughout the southeastern United States, including North Carolina. Much of this region is privately owned and there is a gap in the literature providing succinct information about the best methods of treatment, timing of treatment, and effects of treatment on native herbaceous plants in this region. This study seeks to address this gap by evaluating two treatments that are easily accessible to landowners (glyphosate and vinegar) applied at three intervals throughout the growing season to assess the effects on M. vimineum removal and the herbaceous plant community. We found that glyphosate application was the most effective treatment, removing nearly 100% of M. vimineum but resulting in less diverse herbaceous communities. In contrast, vinegar application was both effective (54.9 ± 2.7% M. vimineum removal) and maintained species richness and diversity. Timing of applications did not affect treatment efficacy or plant diversity for either treatment. This study provides evidence that vinegar is an effective substitute for synthetic herbicides and can support M. vimineum removal efforts while maintaining plant diversity.

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Reducing herbicide input and optimizing spray method can minimize nontarget impacts on native grassland plant species

Cited by 4 publications

References 108 publications

Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis L.)—A Versatile Grass: A Review

Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis L.)—A Versatile Grass: A Review

Effects of abiotic restoration through rock addition on invertebrate functional diversity in native temperate grasslands

Seasonal comparison of household vinegar and glyphosate treatments on Microstegium vimineum removal in the North Carolina, United States piedmont

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