Rhizomes send up numerous aboveground shoots of two different types at various times of the year. Tubers are primarily food storage organs but develop into new plants if removed from the rhizome. Rhizome growth accelerates rapidly between June and July and peaks in October. Tubers appear in July and increase in weight until a killing frost occurs. Horsetail Importance and Management in Agricultural Settings Field and Vegetable Crops.
Prevention is always preferable to control.
Movement of rhizomes or tubers on tillage implements is a common means of starting new populations. Check field edges and low areas of fields periodically for possible horsetail infestations. The best means of controlling this weed is through quarantine and mechanical and cultural methods while it infests only small areas. Cultural practices such as improved drainage and adequate lime and fertilization programs will help suppress horsetail infestations in any habitat. Applying nitrogen fertilizer to grass crops is helpful because horsetail responds minimally to nitrogen while grass crops respond quickly and significantly.