A few bugs may be able to chew up some cogongrass, a noxious weed that elbows out pasture grass, golf course greens and valuable ecosystems, a university of florida. Ufifas researchers find potential bugs to eat invasive. Millie burrell4, bruno le ru5, keiji takasu 6, patricia e. It wasnt long before ranchers and agricultural scientists realized that cogongrass was an invasive species. Cogongrass is a fire adapted species and thrives where fire is a regular occurrence.
Jun 23, 2017 cogongrass imperata cylindrica is found all over the world. For many years researchers all over the world have studied cogongrass control. The grass grows in circular clumps and is identifiable by its fluffy, white, plumelike seedheads in the spring and the. Cogongrass national invasive species information center usda. The total expense for control efforts can be daunting to the landowner. Previous work on biological control of cogongrass outside of the usa, 66 pathogens, 42 insects. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica, an invasive grass species native to asia, has been shown to reduce tree vigor in loblolly pine pinus taeda plantations, which comprise more than 50% of.
Within its phosphate research program, the institute has targeted areas of research. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica, an invasive grass from asia, is considered the seventh worst weed in the world. Imazapyr and glyphosate herbicides for cogongrass control on a. Prospects for biological control of cogongrass william a. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica biology, ecology, and management in florida grazing. Cogongrass is a perennial, rhizomatous grass poaceae that grows approximately 2 to over 4 feet in height. Although tillage and herbicides will provide some control and suppression of cogongrass, longterm eradication is seldom achieved. Controlling invasive exotic plants in north florida forests.
An economic inputoutput analysis revealed that cogongrass control costs. Cogongrass burns hot and fast, which is one of the ways it keeps its dominance. But more importantly this word comes to mind because one must be more relentless than cogongrass to control and eventually eliminate this invasive weed. Fortunately, the florida forest service will soon be implementing a cogongrass treatment costshare program. For new patches, tillage can eliminate cogongrass from an area if it is continued during the course of a growing season. Effectiveness of measures that protect crops from economically important losses yield, quality, utilization, or aesthetic losses commercially acceptable to excellent weed control is often defined as 8095% control within a short time frame. During this time nearly all available herbicides have been tested, but few effective products have been found. This program will be administered by the florida department of agriculture and consumer services, florida forest service, which is funded through a usda forest service grant. Cogongrass spreading in the panhandle panhandle agriculture. Cogongrass public clemson university, south carolina. Aquatic and invasive plant identification series by the ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants and the florida fish an. This includes a combined effort from ufifas, landowners and state land managers. Usda program, or participating in a program that receives financial assistance from usda, you.
How to identify cogongrass the worst invasive plant. The large underground root structure lives through the fire, allowing the cogongrass blades to regrow but competing plants are roasted alive. Unfortunately, cogongrass with reddish to maroon foliage is still sold by some nurseries as an ornamental grass called japanese bloodgrass or red baron bloodgrass. Cogongrass is a nonnative, invasive grass that is established in florida and several other southeastern states. Cogongrass is a rapidly growing perennial grass that is widely adapted throughout the southeastern u. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica biology, ecology, and management in florida grazing lands. Control measures for cogongrass top growth of cogongrass is easy to kill or eliminate, while it is the underground rhizomes that are more difficult to control and must be the target of eradicationcontrol treatments.
Consequently, it was placed on the noxious weed list, which prohibits new plantings macdonald 2006. University of florida pasture weed identification and control posts. Control of cogongrass is difficult because it spreads in two ways. The authors would like to acknowledge the ufifas center for aquatic and invasive. Cogongrass biology and management in the southeastern u. Cogongrass was purposely introduced as a soil stabilizer for pasture lands in florida during the 1930s and 1940s. Control measures for cogongrass top growth of cogongrass is easy to kill or eliminate, while it is the underground rhizomes that are more difficult to control and must be the target of eradication control treatments.
Uf ifas stewardship program manages the most comprehensive. Cogongrass mississippi department of agriculture and commerce. Recommendations to control cogongrass are to treat. For newer patches, tillage can eliminate cogongrass from an area if. Methods for controlling cogongrass may vary according to the rhizome age, mat density, and depth. Brent sellers and jason ferrell, university of florida, ifas. Nov 02, 2017 research has shown that burning cogongrass followed by a 4 to 6 week regrowth period enhances control with both glyphosate and imazapyr. Cogongrass control workshop wednesday, may 23, 2018 6. Cogongrass control in pastures and fencerows university. Grasses as biological control targets often thought to have few specialized herbivores due to. For newer patches, tillage can eliminate cogongrass from an area if continued during the course of a growing season.
Mar 03, 2015 in related news, the georgia forestry commissions cogongrass taskforce recently announced that for the first time since the forest service southern regions forest health program began funding cogongrass control in georgia in 2004, there are more dead cogongrass spots in the state than new areas of cogongrass being reported. In addition to the rhizome root system, cogongrass adapts to poor soil. The center was established in 1978 by the florida legislature. Identification and control of cogongrass panhandle. Sep 28, 2012 cogongrass is very unique because the midrib is offcentered and the blade has very rough, serrated edges. A few bugs may be able to chew up some cogongrass, a noxious weed that elbows out pasture grass, golf course greens and valuable ecosystems, a. Cogongrass is one of the 10 worst weeds in the world because it can destroy entire ecosystems. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica is an aggressive invader of natural and disturbed areas throughout the southeast. Ufifas marion county extension 2232 ne jacksonville road, ocala the workshop is free, but preregistration is required. Noctuidae as a possible biological control agent of the invasive weed imperata cylindrica l.
In closing these three articles on cogongrass identification, control and management, remember that it is going to take a longterm commitment from all of us to gain good control of this invasive weed. In order to stop this weed from becoming the complete menace seen in alabama and florida, we need your help. If left uncontrolled, thick thistle stands can reduce grazing, result in less forage production, and ultimately, lower calf weaning weight. If the soil seedbank remains intact, native plant communities may naturally reinitiate succession after imperata cylindrica a identifying and controlling cogongrass in georgia. Cogongrass biology, ecology and control in florida imcy guplant threats to pacific ecosystems imcy global invasive species database imcy. Ufifas faculty members are available to provide expert opinion, comment, and analysis on a broad range of subjects. Extension program, and boards of county commissioners cooperating.
Edis is the electronic data information source of uf ifas. Learn to control cogongrass ufifas extension marion county. Cogongrass is considered one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world. The institute of food and agricultural sciences ifas is an equal opportunity institution. Prospects for biological control of cogongrass bill overholt and jim cuda. Cogongrass control in pastures and fencerows uf ifas range. Full text of biological control of cogongrass, imperata. In addition to being regulated as a state and federal noxious weed, cogongrass is a pest plant in 73 countries, and has been recognized as one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world. Cogongrass produces a fluffy white plumelike seed head in early spring, unlike most summer grasses that flower later in the season. The difficulty of cogongrass control varies according to the depth and density of the rhizome mat. The covington county soil and water district has announced a cogongrass control program for interested covington county landowners. Cogongrass imperata cylindricabiology, ecology, and management.
It was introduced, accidently, into alabama in 1911 as seed in packing materials from japan. Currently, cogongrass is estimated to infest between 500,000 and one million acres in florida. Jun, 2018 relentless is a word that comes to mind when i think of the weed cogongrass, partly because cogongrass itself is relentless in its spread, taking over pastures, road rightofways and vacant lots. Economic analysis of the impact of cogongrass among. Cogongrass control help offered the andalusia starnews.
Prospects for biological control of cogongrass ufifas oci. Cogongrass control costs were calculated as the average amount spent per acre by a respondent for the control of cogongrass. Forest service researchers have been working with university cooperators to find some way to slow down or stop the relentless spread of cogongrass. Use the dropdown to the left to search for an ifas expert by name or expertise. A species profile for cogongrass, cogon grass, japanese bloodgrass, red baron. May 18, 2010 aquatic and invasive plant identification series by the uf ifas center for aquatic and invasive plants ifas. Slide presentation prospects for biological control of. Previous work on biological control of cogongrass outside of the usa, 66 pathogens, 42 insects, two nematodes, and one mite have been found. It disrupts ecosystem functions, reduces wildlife habitat, decreases tree. Cogongrass is an invasive species commonly found in pastures that is not going to go away on its own.
University cooperative extension program, and boards of county. For news and media inquiries contact or trouble with locating an expert contact. Cogongrass control recommendations southern research. Cogongrass in the united states using genotyping by. Fall is not generally the right time to control many pasture weeds. Realtors register by calling 3526718400 cogongrass is a fastgrowing, rapidly spreading perennial grass that continues. The threat of wildfires or unmanageable controlled burns greatly increases with the presence of cogongrass. Edis electronic data information source of ufifas extension. A new twist in managing cogongrass 2 however, people eventually realized that cogongrass was a poor forage plant and could become a serious pest. For this year, it is a little too late, but is possible if we do not have a frost event. The mississippi department of agriculture and commerce has assembled a task force of scientists, educators, government officials and agricultural leaders to recommend a comprehensive survey and control program for cogongrass imperata cylindrica before the invasive weed overtakes pastures, forestland, wildlife habitats and landscapes in the state. Southeast asia, philippines, china, and japan description. Young infestations are usually easier to control than are older ones. Ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants the uf.
International center of insect physiology and ecology, nairobi, kenya. Cogongrass, a state and federal noxious weed, is considered one of the top 10 invasive weeds in the world. These factors can spell trouble for people and structures near large infestations. Evaluation of fungal pathogens as biological control. Each sharp rhizome tip can initiate a shoot and new rhizomes when top growth is eliminated by mowing, herbicide, or burning. The uf ifas center for aquatic and invasive plants is a multidisciplinary research, teaching and extension unit directed to develop environmentally sound techniques for the management of aquatic and natural area weed species.
This last fall, auburn university researchers reported results that demonstrate, for the first time, that patches of cogongrass can be. Cogongrass identifying and eradicating a grassy weed. Management of cogongrass invasions in perennial grass pastures requires. We have a fact sheet available that can be found here. Young infestations are usually easier to control than older wellestablished infestations. A new twist in managing cogongrass university of florida. The invasion of cogongrass into south carolina is still in the early stages. Unfortunately, cogongrass will eventually begin to reinfest in spite of control, so you must continue to remove cogongrass and treat reinfested areas before this grass can regain a foothold. Cogongrass control in pastures ufifas range cattle. Control of cogongrass relies primarily on mowing and chemical herbicides. Program aims to reduce invasive cogongrass real estate.
Cogongrass mississippi department of agriculture and. Dry periods during the summer aid in the control of. Top growth of cogongrass is easy to kill or eliminate, while it is the underground stems or rhizomes that are more difficult to control and must be the target of eradicationcontrol treatments. Long term cogongrass management uf ifas range cattle. Top growth of cogongrass is easy to kill or eliminate, while it is the underground stems or rhizomes that are more difficult to control and must be the target of eradication control treatments. Edis is the electronic data information source of ufifas extension, a collection of information on topics relevant to you. The grass spreads through seeds and rhizomes, and competes for. Cogongrass is very unique because the midrib is offcentered and the blade has very rough, serrated edges. Simple architecture scarcity of secondary metabolites feeding deterrents e. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica is an invasive, nonnative grass which occurs in the southeast region of the united states. Unsuspecting homeowners discover that the red color van. This includes a combined effort from uf ifas, landowners and state land managers. It has been shown that an integrated approach that combines burning, tillage mechanical disturbance and chemical applications provide the best solution for cogongrass management.
This species is widespread in florida, alabama and mississippi and is starting to spread in georgia, south carolina and tennessee. Relentless is a word that comes to mind when i think of the weed cogongrass, partly because cogongrass itself is relentless in its spread, taking over pastures, road rightofways and vacant lots. Pdf an economic analysis of the impact of cogongrass among. The leaves are about an inch wide, have a prominent white midrib, and end in a sharp point. Cogongrass imperata cylindricabiology, ecology, and. Full text of biological control of cogongrass, imperata cylindrica l.
Each seed has silkywhite hairs that aid in windblown dissemination. Ferrell, the center utilizes expertise from many departments within ufifas and. Faocharacteristics and management of cogongrass imcy flbureau of invasive plant management weed alert imcy flflorida exotic pest plant council fleppc imcy flweeds in the sunshine. Biological control using natural enemies from the native range of cogongrass has received little attention. The florida cogongrass problem continues to increase. Fall weed control in florida pastures agfax weed solutions. Identification and control of cogongrass panhandle agriculture. Uf ifas the south florida beef forage program may 24, 2018. Cogongrass university of florida, institute of food and. University cooperative extension program, and boards of. Biology and control of cogongrass imperata cylindrica in southern forests. Ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants the ufifas. Cogongrass was not a good livestock feed and it was too weedy for erosion control. Cogongrass control varies according to the age and rhizome mat density and depth.
Glyphosate was not as effective on plants that were larger at time of treatment au greenhouse. Cogongrass fires are hotter, faster and higher than native grass fires. Cogongrass yields are relatively low, even under heavy fertilization, and usually do not exceed 5 tons per acre. Cogongrass is mostly unpalatable to livestock and wildlife and can create a significant fire hazard. Identification and control methods for cogongrass in tennessee. It is considered to be an invasive species in 73 countries and one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world, cogongrass affects pine productivity and survival, wildlife habitat, recreation, native plants, fire behavior, site management costs, and more.