MSU Extension Chapter 1 Principles of Pest Management

MSU Extension Right of Way Areas n Highways n Utility areas n Pumping stations n Drainage ways n Railroads, airports n Paths and trails

MSU Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses all available tactics and strategies to manage pests. Minimal impact to the environment.

MSU Extension In right- of - way pest management, woody and herbaceous plant species are the major pests. Not easy to define a crop-pest relationship.-

MSU Extension The “crop” of right-of- ways is the services the right-of-way provides.

MSU Extension Right of Way IPM Components n Pest identification n Monitoring n Site specific requirements n Development & implementation of control strategies n Evaluation of effectiveness

MSU Extension Record Keeping n Control measures, dates n Pesticides & related info n ID of crew & equipment n Environmental conditions

MSU Extension Pest Management Techniques n Biological control n Cultural control n Mechanical control n Chemical control

MSU Extension Biological controls focus on enhancing the effects of natural enemies.

MSU Extension Production by plants of chemicals that inhibit the growth of nearby plants. - black walnut - quackgrass - sunflower

MSU Extension Cultural Controls n Time of planting n Nurse crops n Controlled burning n Mulching n Shading n Sanitation

MSU Extension Mechanical Control n Mechanical / manual n Mowing, trimming, cutting –mowing height must control weed plants and encourage desired vegetation

MSU Extension Chemical Control n Flexibility n “Brown out” n Timing.. Limited n Public Perceptions

MSU Extension Site Requirements & Pest Species n Will help to determine… –pesticide to use –application technique –timing –equipment selection –mixing rate and additives

MSU Extension Attitudes have changed. Not all woody vegetation is considered undesirable.

MSU Extension Environmental Concerns n Wetlands are critical sensitive to chemicals n Use extreme care to avoid exposing wetlands and surface waters to pesticides –use a anti-back flow device

MSU Extension Chapter 2 Weed Plants and Trees

MSU Extension Weed = any plant growing where it is not wanted.

MSU Extension Developmental Stages n Seedling n Vegetative n Seed Production n Maturity

MSU Extension Plant Types n Annual –summer –winter n Biennial n Perennial

MSU Extension Plant Classification n Grasses –monocots, fibrous root system, growth point at soil surface, annual or perennial n Sedges –similar to grasses, triangular stems, perennial

MSU Extension Plant Classification n Herbaceous broadleaves –annual, biennial, perennial –net like venation –dicots –diverse growth points –underground reproductive systems

MSU Extension Plant Classification n Vines n Brush & trees n Ferns –spore reproduction, rhizomes n Parasitic seed plants –dodder

MSU Extension Aquatic Plant Classification n Emergent n Floating n Submergent n Algae

MSU Extension Submergent plants have a thin outer layer on their leaves and are very susceptible to herbicide injury.

MSU Extension You must obtain a permit from DEQ (DNR) to control aquatic plants. Excluding: < 2 acres, no outlet, not RUP

MSU Extension Ash: black, white, green

MSU Extension Black locust

MSU Extension Boxelder: ash- leaf maple

MSU Extension Red maple (soft maple)

MSU Extension Sassafras

MSU Extension Black willow

MSU Extension Black cherry

MSU Extension American elm

MSU Extension Trembling aspen, poplar

MSU Extension Chicory

MSU Extension Cattail

MSU Extension Goldenrod

MSU Extension Wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace)

MSU Extension Poison ivy

MSU Extension Canada thistle

MSU Extension Musk Thistle

MSU Extension Purple loosestrife

MSU Extension Phragmites

MSU Extension Chapter 3 Herbicides & Weeds

MSU Extension Herbicides are pesticides that control weeds.

MSU Extension Factors Affecting Herbicidal Action n Herbicidal action characteristics n Plant characteristics n Climatic factors

MSU Extension Herbicidal Action Characteristics n Foliage or root absorbed n Contact or translocated n Persistent or non- persistent n Selective or Non- selective

MSU Extension Plant Characteristics n Growing points n Leaf shape n Wax & cuticle n Leaf hairs

MSU Extension Plant Characteristics n Deactivation n Stage in life cycle n Timing of stages in life cycle

MSU Extension Climatic Factors n Relative humidity n Light n Precipitation n Wind n Temperatures n Length of growing season

MSU Extension Temperature Inversions n Ground air cooler than air above n Can suspend pesticide particles n Particles can move to non- target areas

MSU Extension Selective Herbicides n Foliage spraying n Basal spraying n Granular or pellet n Spotgun n Cut surface

MSU Extension Foliage treatments can be done from full leaf to early fall color.

MSU Extension Low Volume Ground Foliage Treatment n 10 to 100 gal per acre n Not treated to point of runoff n Higher concentration of active ingredient n Faster coverage n Drift can be major concern

MSU Extension High Volume Ground Foliage Treatments n Herbicide concentration rather than rate per acre n Spray to “drip” n Larger volumes of mix n Herbicide amount will vary considerably

MSU Extension Aerial Application n Helicopters used most often n Pilot must be certified in… –right-of-way –aerial application n Commonly used in rough terrain

MSU Extension Basal treatment can be applied any time of year, except with snow or ice.

MSU Extension Basal Spray Methods n Conventional basal spraying –spray to wet or run down –fuel oil carrier –lower concentrations –losing popularity F cost F odor

MSU Extension Basal Spray Methods n Low Volume Basal Spraying –more concentrated –not sprayed to wet –light & compact equipment –more like spray painting

MSU Extension Granular Application n Broadcast n Directed

MSU Extension Spotgun n Liquid herbicide applied to a “spot” in the root zone area. n Similar to a granular stem treatment n More effective in sparse vegetation –fewer risks to non- target plants

MSU Extension Cut Surface Treatments n Cut stump, frilling, hack & squirt, girdling n Errors –too much chemical –improper girdling or frilling –applying too close to desirable vegetation

MSU Extension Non-selective herbicides control most plant species. Many last 1+ years. Easily damage non- target plants.

MSU Extension Factors Affecting Non- Selective Herbicides n Soils n Moisture n Vegetation types n Soil microorganisms

MSU Extension Non- Selective Herbicides n Keep away from root zones of desirable plants n Do not apply to frozen ground n Be careful of residual herbicides on slopes n Use low pressure n Choose non- corrosive materials

MSU Extension Other Chemicals n Defoliant –removes foliage n Dessicant –dries foliage n Plant growth regulator –affects some aspect of plant development-