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NOXIOUS WEED DEPARTMENT |
SERICEA LESPEDEZA CONTROL PROGRAM |
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Description | Reduction | Control | Herbicides | Pictures |
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*Information provided by County Weed Directors Association of Kansas Sericea Lespedeza is a perennial with erect stems up to 5 feet tall and small hairs laying flat along the ridges on the stem. The leaves, with 3 leaflets, are less than 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches long and 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide with the larger leaflets on the lower portion of the stem. The leaves are flattened on the outer end with small flat hairs on the lower surface. Flowering occurs from mid or late July to October and may be tinged with purple but always dry to yellow. The tannin content of Sericea Lespedeza increases during the growing season making it unpalatable to livestock during mid to late season grazing. Sericea lespedeza spreads primarily by seeds. Seeds move with water, infested hay, birds, livestock, and wildlife. The hard seed passes through the digestive tract of animals. Do not move hay that may contain viable seed from infested areas. Feed noxious weed free hay and forage. Check the labels of grass seed and grass seed mixtures for presence of sericea lespedeza prior to purchase. Do not move mature cattle in late summer through October from an infested pasture to a clean pasture. Control of sericea lespedeza shall mean preventing production of viable seed. Management Options - Inspect all pastures and rangeland in July, August and September. Early detection of the presence of sericea lespedeza is essential to economical control. Prescribed Burning - At the proper time (late spring) followed by intensive, early stocking (double stock until July 15 and then remove cattle) may reduce the occurrence of sericea lespedeza. Mature cattle grazing early in the season are more apt to utilize sericea lespedeza. Grazing infested areas with sheep and goats will provide effective control of sericea lespedeza. Mowing in late bud stage for 2 or 3 consecutive years from mid July to late summer should reduce the vigor of the stand. The following herbicides may be used for cost-share with landowners. Other products labeled and registered for use on this noxious weed in Kansas may be used in accordance with label directions buy are not available for cost-share. Apply herbicides when the plants are actively growing and not stressed by drought. For ground application apply herbicides in 10 - 20 gallons of water per acre. Use of a polymer type deposition aid may enhance control. Consult the product label for directions. Calibration of application equipment is essential. Metsulfuron methyl (Escort). Use 1/3 to 1/2 ounce per acre in the bud stage. Follow label directions and precautions. Triclopyr & Fluroxypyr. Follow label directions and precautions. Triclopyr (Garlon 4). Apply at 1 to 2 pints per acre during the late summer while the plants are in flower. Follow label directions and precautions. (For Non-Cropland Use) |