It stores food energy in its extensive root system both to survive the winter and to fuel the plant's reproductive drive the following season. Curtail is clopyralid plus 2,4-D and is effective on Canada thistle but control tends to be less than from Transline. Biennial thistles spread only by seed (achenes) that are produced in great number by all the noxious species, ra… When Canada thistle infestations occur in situations where root growth would be restricted, such as habitats with high water tables, begin mowing when it is 12 to 15 inches tall. Especially after we receive a light frost. Colorado State University data also indicates that Banvel/Vanquish/Clarity or Telar are effective when combined with 2,4-D as a split-season application. But with the right glyphosate tank-mix partner, along with cultural solutions, like early seeding and tillage, you can regain control over time. Canada thistle can recover from almost any stress, including control attempts, because of root nutrient stores. If a Canada thistle infestation exists in a field that will be rotated to alfalfa, control the weed before seeding alfalfa. Ceutorhyncus alone will not effectively control Canada thistle. It reproduces through both seed and root regeneration, but the latter is the most successful. Controlling Canada thistle. If a Canada thistle infestation exists in a field that will be rotated to alfalfa, control the weed before seeding alfalfa. Canada thistle can recover from almost any stress, including control attempts, because of root nutrient stores. Repeat mowings at about one month inter-vals. I need to treat about 15 - 20 acres and I'm wondering if there are other options besides spot spraying each plant/small area. Canada Thistle Biocontrol Agent Can be Collected in Alfalfa. Additionally, root nutrient stores decrease after mowing because the plant draws on them to develop new shoots. Ask an Expert is made up of groups and individual experts. I am considering spot spraying with Glyphosate this fall before it freezes and then follow up each spring and fall for the next few years. Research to combine Ceutorhyncus with herbicides or mowing has not been conducted. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a persistent perennial weed that causes significant crop yield losses. I have Canadian Thistle established along a coulee in a hay field that has grass, alfalfa, and sweet clover. Biennial thistles, such as musk (Carduus nutans L.), plumeless (Carduus acanthoides L.) and bull thistle [Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore], are not as difficult to control as the perennial thistle species, but spread rapidly and can become severe problems in some areas. A heavy, vigorous alfalfa crop mowed at least three times per year will weaken the thistle roots by depleting carbohydrate reserves and will The key principle to Canada thistle control is to stress the plant and force it to use stored root nutrients. The deep, creeping roots send new shoots popping up along lengths that extend up to 20 feet, making the weed difficult to control once it takes hold. When maturin… Galls that form near the terminal meristems (e.g., where flowers develop) keep the weed from flowering and reduce seed set. Controlling common pokeweed. 2007). Perennial grasses harvested for forage also suppressed Canada thistle growth. Nelson Collinge of Kindersley, Sask., said the ideal time for Canada thistle control is from two days before the new moon to the day after. A Canada thistle management system can start with crop or grass competition combined with herbicides, with the field rotated to alfalfa when the management plan ends. In pastures, Canada thistle reduces productivity by crowding out forage species with spiny leaves It begins sprouting in mid-April to early May in the northern US, flowering mid-June to early July. Consider all your options A weed as persistent as Canada thistle doesn’t have a quick solution. Research at Colorado State University shows that the performance of Curtail to control Canada thistle can be improved when preceded by two or three mow¬ings. If the population is high enough, plant death can occur, otherwise Canada thistle is stressed and less vigorous. Mechanical control. Mowing hay meadows can be an effective tool if combined with herbicide treatments. Combining control methods is the best fo\ rm of Canada thistle management. Maintain fertility and, if possible, moisture at optimum levels to favor grass or alfalfa growth. Any other options for type of spray to use, effective boom spraying options, and/or suggestions are appreciated. Follow this regimen for two consecutive years. What happened to the Colorado Republican Party? Canada thistle (California thistle, creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Asteraceae), is a perennial weed of pastures, rangelands and agricultural lands in many temperate areas of the world.It is native to southeastern Europe and North Africa. The female lays eggs on the underneath side of Canada thistle leaves in early spring. Let me know if you have any other questions. Alfalfa is an effective competitor only after it is established. This chemical will only kill the broadleaf plants as compared to roundup will kill everything. However, they are also concerned about weed management, as tillage is a primary control tactic. Be cautious with nitrogen fertilizers, because excess available soil nitrogen may favor weed growth. A Canada thistle management system can start with crop or grass competition combined with herbicides, with the field rotated to alfalfa when the management plan ends. It’s important to differentiate Canada Thistle from many of the biennial thistles that can grow since the methods of treating them are quite different. All biennial thistles considered noxious are native to Europe or Eurasia, and were introduced into North America as seed contaminants. It is detrimental to natural areas communities where it occurs, particularly non-forested communities, and it can change the natural structure and species composition where it becomes well established. Its notorious prickles can render otherwise grazeable land useless. These herbicides are most effective when combined with cultural and/or mechanical control. Mowing at hay cutting stimulates new Canada thistle shoots to develop from its root system. Their feeding triggers huge galls to form that stress the plant, sometimes killing it. However, competition alone seldom will provide long-term control. Larvae bore into the main leaf vein, then down into the plant’s crown area. Canada thistle is prominent in both conventional and organic farming systems in the northern United States (Moore 1975). Canada thistle is difficult to control and re-treatment for one to three or more years after the initial application is common. Research has shown that biological and chemical controls are compatible for musk thistle. I need to treat about 15 - 20 acres and I'm wondering if there are other options besides spot spraying each plant/small area. Mesbah, AO, Miller, SD (2005) Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) control in established alfalfa (Medicago sativa) grown for seed production. The plant is beneficial for pollinators that rely on nectar. Source: Colorado State University Extension weed science specialist and professor K.G Beck, bioagricultural sciences and pest management. Beck Subject: Canada thistle is a creeping perennial that reproduces from vegetative buds in its root system and from seed. It must be combined with other methods to be successful. Research at Colorado State University shows that Tordon 22K (picloram), Milestone (aminopyralid), Transline (clopyralid), Perspective (aminocyclopyrachlor + chlorsulfuron), Banvel/ Vanquish/Clarity (dicamba), and Telar (chlorsulfuron) are effective against Canada thistle in pastures, rangeland, natural areas, and noncrop settings. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is most often compared to alfalfa for its nutritional quality. Weed Control News. Peren- nial weeds (including bindweed, Canada thistle, curly dock, dandelion, johnsongrass, hemp dogbane, quackgrass, and others) are a primary concern since management options for controlling them in established alfalfa are limited. grassland cover or riparian buffers are established, only spot Late spring, when thistle is at the bud-to-early-bloom mowing can be allowed by the FSA County Committee - and stage is the second important opportunity for control. Larvae burrow into shoots. •Control weeds that emerge after cutting or in areas where the alfalfa stand is thin Herbicides for Established Alfalfa •Velpar + Gramoxone or Sencor + Gramoxone applied in February or early March before spring greenup are the best option for winter annual weeds in the Intermountain region Apply 2,4-D, 2 quarts per acre (A), in spring when Canada thistle is 10 to 15 inches tall, in pre-bud to early bud growth stages. However, competition alone seldom is effective against Canada thistle. Canada Thistle's creeping perennial roots is one key way to identify it. Success requires a sound management plan implemented over several years. Asked September 3, 2014, 9:28 PM EDT. It is difficult to control because its extensive root system allows it to recover from control attempts. This is most likely true for Canada thistle as well. Ceutorhyncus litura is available from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Always combine mowing with cultural and chemical control. Feel free to email me directly at jackie.buckley@ndsu.edu or cal 701.667.3340. Cultural control. Grasses and alfalfa can compete effectively with Canada thistle if their growth is favored by good management. 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