U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Northeast Area University Park, Pennsylvania Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Myers, Matthewitem
                                            Adler, Paulitem
                                            CURRAN, WILLIAM - PENN STATE UNIVERSITY
  Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
                                    Publication Type: Trade Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2006
                                    Publication  Date: 9/21/2006
                                    Citation: Myers, M.W., Adler, P.R., Curran, W.S. 2006. Switchgrass: establishment and weed management. PA Project Grass. 4(6):18-20.Interpretive Summary: Not required.
                                Technical Abstract: Switchgrass is a tall growing, native, warm-season, perennial grass which can grow on marginal lands.  Lately grabbing a lot of attention for its biomass fuel potential, switchgrass has been used for years in livestock forage production systems.  Once established, switchgrass is relatively easy to manage, can be high yielding with few fertility inputs, and does not have many pest problems.  The key to a good stand however, is proper management during the year of establishment.  Important factors influencing a good switchgrass stand are proper seeding rates and planting dates, correct seeding depth, and weed control.  Grassy weeds are more of a challenge to control in new switchgrass seedings versus broadleaf weeds.  Several herbicides on the market may provide selective grass control but few studies have evaluated their potential.  A study was conducted at the USDA research farm at Rock Springs, PA in 2005 to investigate the effect of quinclorac and other herbicides on weed control and switchgrass seedling injury.  All herbicide treatments were applied postemergence when the switchgrass was 3-4" tall with 3 leaves.  Weeds of interest at the time of application included common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, fall panicum and witchgrass, and both yellow and green foxtail.   Quinclorac alone provided good control of the foxtail species and quinclorac plus dicamba offered a good broad-spectrum combination by controlling both the foxtail and broadleaf species. All treatments did show some signs of switchgrass injury within one week after application but the injury quickly disappeared. These results suggest that grassy weed control is possible with the introduction of new herbicides to the market.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov