Project Number: 5341-22000-002-02
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 09, 2006
End Date: Apr 30, 2011

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to determine; the relative effectiveness of selected single and combined treatment methods in controlling undesirable vegetation while retaining desirable species, the environmental impact of selected herbicides and application methods, and identifying any problematic species for particular methods.

Approach:
In the spring a treatment area will be identified along the ALCAN Highway south of Delta Junction that is infested with exotic weeds and other problem plants. Three permanent quadrates will be placed in each plot and vegetation cover and density will be measured by species. Three ¼ m2 quadrates will be harvested for plant biomass determination. Weights will be determined for each functional group (shrub, forbs, grasses, exotic weeds). Treatments will be applied on June 5 and will consist of mowing, two broadcast herbicide applications (2,4-D and Garlon 3), three wet-blade herbicide applications (Roundup, 2,4-D, and Garlon 3), and a non-treated control in a randomized complete block with 4 blocks. Three weeks after treatment application and at the end of the growing season vegetation measurements will be repeated. Data will be analyzed using standard statistical methods to determine impacts of treatments on exotic weeds, shrubs and native species. Documents NFCA with State of Alaska.