ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT

1. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT Regional Cogongrass Conference Howard Peavey, ALDOT Agronomist

2. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • In the early 1970’s Dr. Ray Dickens (Auburn University), as a result of his project work, recognized the invasive potential of Cogongrass and recommended an eradication program be started

3. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT

4. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • By the 1990’s ALDOT recognized problems associated with Cogongrass • Increased road safety hazards • Increased mowing costs • Increased maintenance costs • Other land use issues

5. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • In 2000 ALDOT funded Auburn University research project: 930-486 Mapping, Control & Re-vegetation of Cogongrass Infestations on Alabama ROW www.dot.state.al.us select Bureaus select Maintenance select MB Publications

6. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • Research included • “shotgun” herbicide tests • mowing tests • fertilization tests • herbicide/mowing/fertilization combinations

7. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • Recommendations included • Prevention Techniques • Restricted movement of infested soil • Cleaning of equipment • Timing of mowing • Herbicide Treatments

8. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • Herbicide recommendations called for a 3 year regime: • Fall - glyphosate ≥ 3 lb ai/acre / seeding of cover crop • Spring - glyphosate ≥ 3 lb ai/acre / seeding of warm season grass mix or • Fall - glyphosate + imazapyr @ 1.5 + 0.38 lb ai/acre / seeding of a cover crop • Spring - glyphosate ≥ 3 lb ai/acre / seeding of warm season grass mix

9. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • Herbicidal • ALDOT has chosen the more conservative approach using glyphosate only for split treatments • Operational • Aldot has divided the State into 3 functional areas

10. Outliers: All confirmed locations are treated in their entirety regardless of their location.

11. US 82; Bibb County

12. Interstate 85; Montgomery County

13. Interstate 20; Cleburne County

14. Active Front: Locations are confirmed and mapped; those that can be completely circumferenced on ALDOT ROW are being treated.

15. Interstate 65

16. Active Front: Locations are confirmed and mapped; those that can be completely circumferenced on ALDOT ROW are being treated.

17. Cogongrass Locations within the 8th Division

18. Far South: The sheer magnitude of the problem has limited ALDOT’s approach & success.

20. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • What have we Learned? • While application timing certainly can favorably impact results, it is important to get started • Most outbreaks can be controlled with glyphosate alone

21. Interstate 59; Dekalb County

22. Interstate 20; Cleburne County

23. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • What have we Learned? • While application timing certainly can favorably impact results, it is important to get started • Most outbreaks can be controlled with glyphosate alone but persistence is key • Control in Mobile and Baldwin Counties will require designated funding and a planned, coordinated effort reaching across land use boundaries and the use of multiple tools. Because of the volume and maturity of the stands in this area, the addition of imazapyr to the treatment regime may be required.

24. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT • What have we Learned? • Partnerships will play an important role SOAR www.soarsite.org (Save Our Alabama Roadsides) Bart McPherson PO 100 Beatrice, AL 36425 bart@soarsite.org

25. ALDOT COGONGRASS TREATMENT Cogongrass Research Project www.dot.al.us select Bureaus select Maintenance Bureau select Maintenance Bureau Publications Howard Peavey ALDOT Agronomist peaveyh@dot.state.al.us (334) 242-6282