Application placement technologies for vegetation management on North Carolina roadsides : final report.

692321025Final report; 07-01-2002 to 06-30-2006.PDFTech ReportFHWA/NC/2006-42VegetationWeed controlWeedsHerbicidesMowingNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Analysis GroupGannon, TravisYelverton, FredNorth Carolina State University. Dept. of Crop ScienceUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Special Programs AdministrationNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Environment ImpactsNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionResearch experiments were designed and initiated to determine if application placement technologies offera viable solution for vegetation management along North Carolina Roadsides. Select equipment was evaluated forbroomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) control in centipedegrass rights of way as well as for plant growth regulatorapplications along tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) or bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) roadsides in North Carolina.Research experiments were repeated in time. Evaluated application placement technologies included equipmentwhich incorporated mowing into the pesticide or plant growth regulator application as well as equipment that onlywiped the foliage.Much important data were collected and will aid in devising a more complete vegetation managementprogram for North Carolina Roadsides. Additionally, through this research, control options which incorporateapplication placement technologies were identified for broomsedge control along North Carolina roadsides. This isextremely important for NC DOT as control options had not been identified prior to completing this research.It appears Burch Wet Blade (also known as Diamond Wet Blade) would be the best fit for broomsedge control alongcentipedegrass roadsides in North Carolina. With glyphosate (2 qt/a) applied through Burch Wet Blade at onegallon per acre mown at four inches, we were able to obtain 90% broomsedge control through one year aftertreatment. As for plant growth regulator applications along tall fescue or bahiagrass roadsides with applicationplacement technologies, in no instance were application placement technologies advantageous to a conventionalbroadcast spray application. These data indicate application placement equipment would be beneficial to certainaspects of vegetation management along North Carolina roadsides