June is on the horizon and early summer is a good time to consider spraying sericea lespedeza. Plants are in a vegetative growth stage and previous research has indicated good to excellent control at this time.
Figure 1. Vegetative growth stage of sericea lespedeza. Photo by Walt Fick, K-State Research and Extension.
Sericea lespedeza continues to be a major concern on rangeland, pasture, and some CRP acres in Kansas. It is a statewide noxious weed in Kansas and therefore needs to be controlled. Sericea lespedeza has a tremendous seed bank that helps reestablish stands.
There are no known biological controls that can be effectively used on sericea lespedeza. However, grazing with goats can suppress sericea lespedeza stands and produce a saleable product. It takes 4 to 5 goats per acre (of sericea) to graze the plant heavily enough to eliminate seed production. Cattle supplemented with corn steep liquor (CSL) have been shown to consume more sericea lespedeza than animals not supplemented with CSL. Current studies are underway to determine the impact of late summer grazing by sheep on sericea lespedeza.
Frequent mowing will reduce sericea lespedeza, but is also damaging to plants that might be growing/competing with sericea. A single mowing in mid- to late-July will eventually reduce stands of sericea lespedeza to some extent. Sericea has not been eliminated, however, even after several years of mowing. A late-summer mowing will eliminate most seed production. Application of appropriate herbicides about 4-6 weeks after mowing will help reduce sericea lespedeza stands.
Herbicides applied at the correct time and under favorable environmental conditions can significantly reduce sericea lespedeza.
Remedy Ultra (triclopyr) and PastureGard HL (triclopyr + fluroxypyr) can provide effective control when applied during June and into early July when the sericea plants are in a vegetative growth stage. Broadcast applications of Remedy Ultra at 1 to 1.5 pints/acre and PastureGard HL at 0.75 to 1.5 pints/acre should be applied in spray volumes of 10 to 20 gallons/acre.
Products containing metsulfuron, such as Escort XP, Cimarron Plus, and Chaparral are generally more effective in the late summer when sericea lespedeza is actively blooming. Recommended rates are 0.5 oz/acre of Escort XP, 0.625 oz/acre Cimarron Plus, and 2.5 to 3 oz/acre Chaparral. Use a non-ionic surfactant with all of these products.
For spot applications, mix 0.5fl oz PastureGard HL per gallon of water, use a 1 percent solution of Remedy Ultra in water, or 0.3 grams Escort XP per gallon of water. Aerial applications of these products should be done with a minimum spray volume of 3 gallons per acre. Higher volumes, e.g. 5 gallons per acre, will generally be more effective.
Herbicide treatments will need to be repeated every 2 to 4 years to keep this invasive species in check. Initial treatments should reduce dense stands to the point where spot treatment can be used in future years. Left untreated, sericea lespedeza will dominate a site, greatly reducing forage production and species diversity. Be persistent with control efforts to keep this invasive species at manageable populations.
Walt Fick, Rangeland Management Specialist
whfick@ksu.edu
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