An integrated management plan should be developed that places continual stress on the weed. A single control strategy, such as mowing or a herbicide, usually is not sufficient. Set-up treatments may include chemical or mechanical methods. Cooperative research between Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming showed that chemical set-up treatments were superior to mowing. Then perennial grasses were sown in late fall as a dormant seeding.
Tillage is necessary to overcome the residual allelopathic effects of Russian knapweed.
Curtail controlled Russian knapweed best. None of the herbicides injured seeded grasses. Grasses established similarly among herbicide suppression treatments, even though Russian knapweed control varied. However, where Escort or Roundup was used to suppress Russian knapweed, additional herbicide treatments will be necessary to achieve acceptable control. Perennial grasses established in the mowing treatments but much less than in herbicide treatments.