1. Salt Cedar Control and Management with DuPont Herbicides Jerry R. Pitts DuPont Crop Protection 22407 N. Lake Village Dr. Katy, TX 77450

2. Saltcedar, What is it? A member of the Genus Tamarix and the Tamarisk Family (Tamaricaceae) 7 species listed in Texas A very aggressive, water-loving, drought tolerant, salt tolerant, !@#$%^&* plant

5. Saltcedar, Where did it come from? Native to the Mediterranean region, central Asian and North African deserts Introduced by nurseryman in early 1800’s as an ornamental –First record is from Bartram’s nursery in Philidelphia in 1828 Later used as an erosion-control plant in New Mexico and reported to have escaped cultivation in 1870’s

6. Saltcedar, Estimated Extent 1920’s - 40-50,000 acres infested 1965 - 930,000 acres infested 1989 - 1,017,000 acres infested 1998 – 1,610,000 acres infested 1973 estimate of 600,000 acres infesting West Texas alone Estimated to spread at the rate of 1-1.5% per year

7. Saltcedar distribution in the U.S. Source: Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group (August 1997).

8. Saltcedar Characteristics Continuous seed production through wide range of environmental conditions throughout growing season. –Each plant capable of producing >500,000 seeds per season –Cross-pollinated by wind and self- compatible when unavailable. Vigorous vegetative reproduction, especially following fire. –Above ground plant material can re-sprout –Root material can re-sprout –Aggressive crown re-sprouter

9. Saltcedar Characteristics Brittle stems, not easily drawn from ground Competes interspecifically by allelochemics due to salt-glands Facultative phreatophyte using 3-6 acre ft./year –High water user –Drought tolerant

10. Negative Impacts of Saltcedar on the Environment Widens floodplains by clogging stream channels Increased channelization along rivers and streams Increased fire and flood frequency Increases sedimentation deposition Crowds out native stands of riparian and wetland vegetation Increased water/soil surface salinity Lowers wildlife habitat value Dries up springs, wetlands, riparian areas and small streams by lowering surface water tables

12. Criteria for successful saltcedar control program 1.Any control strategy must target the crown and root system of the plant 2.Herbicide must be applied when plant is most susceptible 3.Application technology should allow for complete coverage of the plant and penetration through dense canopy layers 4.Saltcedar control is not a one time job

13. Saltcedar Management Alternatives Aerial Herbicide Application Individual Plant Treatment with Herbicides Mechanical control strategies Biological control strategies

14. Biological Control Diorhabda elongata – leaf feeding bettle (China) Dr. Ray Carruthers- UDSA

15. Mechanical Control Physical Removal and Fire Costs Dependent Equipment and Labor Required Soil Disturbance and Re-Infestation

22. Individual Plant Treatment with Herbicides

23. Treatment Control Ratings-Brush* Control Rating% of Plants Killed Very High76-100 High56-75 Moderate36-55 Low0-35 *Chemical Weed and Brush Control Suggestions for Rangeland, Texas Cooperative Extension, B-1466, 4-05

24. IPT Herbicide Recommendations (TX A&M Extension) 1. Arsenal (Imazapyr)1% 2. Arsenal (Imazapyr)+0.5% Roundup (Glyphosate)0.5 % 3. Arsenal (Imazapyr)+0.5% Rodeo (Glyphosate)0.5% 4. Remedy (Triclopyr)-Basal25% in diesel

25. IPT Herbicide Recommendations (TX A&M Extension) Timing- July – Sept., or until leaves begin to turn yellow IPT- Throughly wet foliage Aerial or Ground Broadcast- Min. 10 gpa Add 1 to 2 qts surfactant per 100 gal water Note: Check Arsenal label for special restrictions on use related to endangered species and grazing restrictions. Arsenal alone and in combination with Rodeo or Roundup will cause damage to grasses, forbs and other desirable trees.

27. Aerial Herbicide Applications

28. Aerial Herbicide Recommendations 1. Arsenal (imazapyr)4 pints/acre1.0 lb. a.i. 2. Arsenal (imaz.) +2 pints/acre0.5 lb. a.i. Roundup (gyphosate)1 pint/acre0.5 lb. a.i. 3. Arsenal (imaz.) +2 pints/acre0.5 lb. a.i. Rodeo (glyphosate)¾ pint/acre0.5 lb. a.i.

31. Aircraft comparison: HelicopterAirplane Spray at 30 mphSpray at 110-140 mph Flat turnsBanked turns 15 GPA10 GPA Max. Varied spray widthFixed spray width 1000 micron droplet100-300 micron w/fines Less driftMore drift Heliport near application siteMust ferry to air strip

32. Mobile heliport Specially designed trucks: Load on top DOT Spec 406 Certified Tanks Section Tank 800 Gal. Jet Fuel 3000 Gal. Clean Water 1000 Gal. Chemical Mix

33. GPS Guidance System Trimble Trimflight 3 GPS System. Auto-Cal Flow Control Crophawk Flow Monitor

34. Trimble GPS Guidance Logs spray area for display on moving map Allows for flying irregular lines with less “skips” Produce computer generated application spray maps

36. Variable Rate Flow Meter Calibrate to ground speed Maintain constant 15 GPA / TSV flow Linked to GPS receiver

37. Spraying at 25-30 mph allows turning without banking

38. Three section spray boom 15 – 30 – 45 ft. swath width controlled from cockpit

39. .028 Accuflo Nozzle 1000 Micron Droplet 15 g/acre TSV

43. Escort (metsulfuron methyl) DuPont Sufonylurea Herbicide –Inhibits acetolactate synthase (ALS) Registered for general weed and brush control in non-crop sites, conifer and hardwood plantations, rangeland, industrial turf (unimproved) and native grass restoration sites. Pre and Post activity on Grasses and Broadleaf Weeds –Root and Foliar uptake; moves in xylem and phloem Behavior in Water and Soil –At 25°C, half-life in water at 21 (pH 5) to 30 (pH 9) days –Soil half-life ranged from 1-6 weeks and with an average of 30 days.

44. Escort Aerial Trials Salt Cedar 5 Locations: Big Spring & Midland, TX Application Date:Aug & Sept. 2003,2004, 2005 Appl. Equipment: Helicopter Appl. Volume: 15 Gal/Acre Plot Size: 7.5- 10 acres Pest Stage at Application: –Mature, Post-Bloom, Pre-Senescent

45. Salt Cedar Trials DuPont/TX A&M 2003-2005

51. Summary of Trials Arsenal 16 ozai/A (imazapyr) gave good- excellent control of salt cedar Escort 1.8 + Arsenal 8 ozai/A and Escort 2.4 ozai/A gave good control of salt cedar and appeared safer to burrograss, alkali sacaton and inland saltgrass. Evaluate trials applied in 2006 and install new trials Sept. 2007 with Escort and DPX-KJM44.

52. Salt Cedar References (web sites) –www.invasivespecies.gov/teamtam/ –www.invasivespecies.gov/profiles/saltceda r.shtml –www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/ta mspp/all.html –www.tamariskcoalition.org –http://plants.usda.gov/http://plants.usda.gov/ –Cr-hart@tamu.edu (Dr. Charles Hart, TX A&M)Cr-hart@tamu.edu