Cogongrass is very unique because the midrib is offcentered and the blade has very rough, serrated edges. This program will be administered by the florida department of agriculture and consumer services, florida forest service, which is funded through a usda forest service grant. Consequently, it was placed on the noxious weed list, which prohibits new plantings macdonald 2006. Top growth of cogongrass is easy to kill or eliminate, while it is the underground stems or rhizomes that are more difficult to control and must be the target of eradicationcontrol treatments. Ufifas researchers find potential bugs to eat invasive. But more importantly this word comes to mind because one must be more relentless than cogongrass to control and eventually eliminate this invasive weed. An economic inputoutput analysis revealed that cogongrass control costs. Identification and control of cogongrass panhandle. Cogongrass yields are relatively low, even under heavy fertilization, and usually do not exceed 5 tons per acre. Recommendations to control cogongrass are to treat. Prospects for biological control of cogongrass william a. Each sharp rhizome tip can initiate a shoot and new rhizomes when top growth is eliminated by mowing, herbicide, or burning. Cogongrass control costs were calculated as the average amount spent per acre by a respondent for the control of cogongrass.
Cogongrass imperata cylindrica biology, ecology, and management in florida grazing. Cogongrass is one of the 10 worst weeds in the world because it can destroy entire ecosystems. Uf ifas stewardship program manages the most comprehensive. Top growth of cogongrass is easy to kill or eliminate, while it is the underground stems or rhizomes that are more difficult to control and must be the target of eradication control treatments. Cogongrass public clemson university, south carolina.
The total expense for control efforts can be daunting to the landowner. Nov 02, 2017 research has shown that burning cogongrass followed by a 4 to 6 week regrowth period enhances control with both glyphosate and imazapyr. Cogongrass control in pastures and fencerows university. Pdf an economic analysis of the impact of cogongrass among. Edis is the electronic data information source of uf ifas. The grass spreads through seeds and rhizomes, and competes for. Within its phosphate research program, the institute has targeted areas of research. Controlling invasive exotic plants in north florida forests.
For new patches, tillage can eliminate cogongrass from an area if it is continued during the course of a growing season. Extension program, and boards of county commissioners cooperating. Ufifas marion county extension 2232 ne jacksonville road, ocala the workshop is free, but preregistration is required. Faocharacteristics and management of cogongrass imcy flbureau of invasive plant management weed alert imcy flflorida exotic pest plant council fleppc imcy flweeds in the sunshine. Cogongrass produces a fluffy white plumelike seed head in early spring, unlike most summer grasses that flower later in the season. Program aims to reduce invasive cogongrass real estate. Cogongrass spreading in the panhandle panhandle agriculture. Control measures for cogongrass top growth of cogongrass is easy to kill or eliminate, while it is the underground rhizomes that are more difficult to control and must be the target of eradicationcontrol treatments. Cogongrass mississippi department of agriculture and commerce. If left uncontrolled, thick thistle stands can reduce grazing, result in less forage production, and ultimately, lower calf weaning weight. Fortunately, the florida forest service will soon be implementing a cogongrass treatment costshare program. Young infestations are usually easier to control than older wellestablished infestations. For news and media inquiries contact or trouble with locating an expert contact. The authors would like to acknowledge the ufifas center for aquatic and invasive.
The center was established in 1978 by the florida legislature. Use the dropdown to the left to search for an ifas expert by name or expertise. Grasses as biological control targets often thought to have few specialized herbivores due to. For many years researchers all over the world have studied cogongrass control. Prospects for biological control of cogongrass ufifas oci. Unfortunately, cogongrass with reddish to maroon foliage is still sold by some nurseries as an ornamental grass called japanese bloodgrass or red baron bloodgrass. Jun 23, 2017 cogongrass imperata cylindrica is found all over the world. Control measures for cogongrass top growth of cogongrass is easy to kill or eliminate, while it is the underground rhizomes that are more difficult to control and must be the target of eradication control treatments. Cogongrass, imperata cylindrica, is a perrenial, rhizomatous grass that is somewhat variable n appearance. Identification and control of cogongrass panhandle agriculture.
Cogongrass is a rapidly growing perennial grass that is widely adapted throughout the southeastern u. Cogongrass control workshop wednesday, may 23, 2018 6. Noctuidae as a possible biological control agent of the invasive weed imperata cylindrica l. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica, an invasive grass from asia, is considered the seventh worst weed in the world. The difficulty of cogongrass control varies according to the depth and density of the rhizome mat. Imazapyr and glyphosate herbicides for cogongrass control on a. In closing these three articles on cogongrass identification, control and management, remember that it is going to take a longterm commitment from all of us to gain good control of this invasive weed. During this time nearly all available herbicides have been tested, but few effective products have been found. Usda program, or participating in a program that receives financial assistance from usda, you. Cogongrass is considered one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world.
Cogongrass biology and management in the southeastern u. Full text of biological control of cogongrass, imperata. It disrupts ecosystem functions, reduces wildlife habitat, decreases tree. The florida cogongrass problem continues to increase. Cogongrass is an invasive species commonly found in pastures that is not going to go away on its own. The grass grows in circular clumps and is identifiable by its fluffy, white, plumelike seedheads in the spring and the. How to identify cogongrass the worst invasive plant. Although tillage and herbicides will provide some control and suppression of cogongrass, longterm eradication is seldom achieved. Learn to control cogongrass ufifas extension marion county. Sep 28, 2012 cogongrass is very unique because the midrib is offcentered and the blade has very rough, serrated edges. Cogongrass national invasive species information center usda. Cogongrass imperata cylindricabiology, ecology, and. Identification and control methods for cogongrass in tennessee. If the soil seedbank remains intact, native plant communities may naturally reinitiate succession after imperata cylindrica a identifying and controlling cogongrass in georgia.
Unsuspecting homeowners discover that the red color van. For newer patches, tillage can eliminate cogongrass from an area if continued during the course of a growing season. International center of insect physiology and ecology, nairobi, kenya. University of florida pasture weed identification and control posts. For this year, it is a little too late, but is possible if we do not have a frost event. Control of cogongrass is difficult because it spreads in two ways. Mar 03, 2015 in related news, the georgia forestry commissions cogongrass taskforce recently announced that for the first time since the forest service southern regions forest health program began funding cogongrass control in georgia in 2004, there are more dead cogongrass spots in the state than new areas of cogongrass being reported. Aquatic and invasive plant identification series by the ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants and the florida fish an.
Forest service researchers have been working with university cooperators to find some way to slow down or stop the relentless spread of cogongrass. Cogongrass in the united states using genotyping by. This last fall, auburn university researchers reported results that demonstrate, for the first time, that patches of cogongrass can be. In order to stop this weed from becoming the complete menace seen in alabama and florida, we need your help. Simple architecture scarcity of secondary metabolites feeding deterrents e. Southeast asia, philippines, china, and japan description. A new twist in managing cogongrass 2 however, people eventually realized that cogongrass was a poor forage plant and could become a serious pest. The institute of food and agricultural sciences ifas is an equal opportunity institution. Effectiveness of measures that protect crops from economically important losses yield, quality, utilization, or aesthetic losses commercially acceptable to excellent weed control is often defined as 8095% control within a short time frame. Prospects for biological control of cogongrass bill overholt and jim cuda. Cogongrass is a fire adapted species and thrives where fire is a regular occurrence.
Jun, 2018 relentless is a word that comes to mind when i think of the weed cogongrass, partly because cogongrass itself is relentless in its spread, taking over pastures, road rightofways and vacant lots. In addition to being regulated as a state and federal noxious weed, cogongrass is a pest plant in 73 countries, and has been recognized as one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world. Cogongrass control in pastures ufifas range cattle. Previous work on biological control of cogongrass outside of the usa, 66 pathogens, 42 insects. This species is widespread in florida, alabama and mississippi and is starting to spread in georgia, south carolina and tennessee. Methods for controlling cogongrass may vary according to the rhizome age, mat density, and depth. It was introduced, accidently, into alabama in 1911 as seed in packing materials from japan.
Cogongrass is mostly unpalatable to livestock and wildlife and can create a significant fire hazard. Slide presentation prospects for biological control of. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica is an invasive, nonnative grass which occurs in the southeast region of the united states. In addition to the rhizome root system, cogongrass adapts to poor soil. A few bugs may be able to chew up some cogongrass, a noxious weed that elbows out pasture grass, golf course greens and valuable ecosystems, a university of florida. Unfortunately, cogongrass will eventually begin to reinfest in spite of control, so you must continue to remove cogongrass and treat reinfested areas before this grass can regain a foothold. Control of cogongrass relies primarily on mowing and chemical herbicides. For newer patches, tillage can eliminate cogongrass from an area if.
Cogongrass university of florida, institute of food and. Ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants the ufifas. Edis is the electronic data information source of ufifas extension, a collection of information on topics relevant to you. Economic analysis of the impact of cogongrass among. Ferrell, the center utilizes expertise from many departments within ufifas and. Cogongrass control recommendations southern research. Millie burrell4, bruno le ru5, keiji takasu 6, patricia e. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica, an invasive grass species native to asia, has been shown to reduce tree vigor in loblolly pine pinus taeda plantations, which comprise more than 50% of. Cogongrass, a state and federal noxious weed, is considered one of the top 10 invasive weeds in the world. Biology and control of cogongrass imperata cylindrica in southern forests.
University cooperative extension program, and boards of. This includes a combined effort from uf ifas, landowners and state land managers. It has been shown that an integrated approach that combines burning, tillage mechanical disturbance and chemical applications provide the best solution for cogongrass management. Cogongrass is a nonnative, invasive grass that is established in florida and several other southeastern states.
Glyphosate was not as effective on plants that were larger at time of treatment au greenhouse. Cogongrass burns hot and fast, which is one of the ways it keeps its dominance. A new twist in managing cogongrass university of florida. Evaluation of fungal pathogens as biological control. May 18, 2010 aquatic and invasive plant identification series by the uf ifas center for aquatic and invasive plants ifas.
University cooperative extension program, and boards of county. Fall is not generally the right time to control many pasture weeds. The uf ifas center for aquatic and invasive plants is a multidisciplinary research, teaching and extension unit directed to develop environmentally sound techniques for the management of aquatic and natural area weed species. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica is an aggressive invader of natural and disturbed areas throughout the southeast. Young infestations are usually easier to control than are older ones. Cogongrass imperata cylindricabiology, ecology, and management. Full text of biological control of cogongrass, imperata cylindrica l. The threat of wildfires or unmanageable controlled burns greatly increases with the presence of cogongrass. Cogongrass imperata cylindrica biology, ecology, and management in florida grazing lands. Management of cogongrass invasions in perennial grass pastures requires. The mississippi department of agriculture and commerce has assembled a task force of scientists, educators, government officials and agricultural leaders to recommend a comprehensive survey and control program for cogongrass imperata cylindrica before the invasive weed overtakes pastures, forestland, wildlife habitats and landscapes in the state. Cogongrass mississippi department of agriculture and. A few bugs may be able to chew up some cogongrass, a noxious weed that elbows out pasture grass, golf course greens and valuable ecosystems, a.
Cogongrass biology, ecology and management in florida website developed, maintained and hosted by the center for invasive species and ecosystem health at the university of georgia warnell school of forestry and natural resources and college of agricultural and environmental sciences dept. These factors can spell trouble for people and structures near large infestations. Realtors register by calling 3526718400 cogongrass is a fastgrowing, rapidly spreading perennial grass that continues. Long term cogongrass management uf ifas range cattle. Dry periods during the summer aid in the control of. It wasnt long before ranchers and agricultural scientists realized that cogongrass was an invasive species. Imperata cylindrica ufifas center for aquatic and invasive. We have a fact sheet available that can be found here.
Ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants the uf. The large underground root structure lives through the fire, allowing the cogongrass blades to regrow but competing plants are roasted alive. Relentless is a word that comes to mind when i think of the weed cogongrass, partly because cogongrass itself is relentless in its spread, taking over pastures, road rightofways and vacant lots. This includes a combined effort from ufifas, landowners and state land managers. Cogongrass control in pastures and fencerows uf ifas range. Cogongrass biology, ecology and control in florida imcy guplant threats to pacific ecosystems imcy global invasive species database imcy. Fall weed control in florida pastures agfax weed solutions. The covington county soil and water district has announced a cogongrass control program for interested covington county landowners. Currently, cogongrass is estimated to infest between 500,000 and one million acres in florida.
Cogongrass control varies according to the age and rhizome mat density and depth. A species profile for cogongrass, cogon grass, japanese bloodgrass, red baron. Cogongrass fires are hotter, faster and higher than native grass fires. Biological control using natural enemies from the native range of cogongrass has received little attention. Brent sellers and jason ferrell, university of florida, ifas. The leaves are about an inch wide, have a prominent white midrib, and end in a sharp point.
Each seed has silkywhite hairs that aid in windblown dissemination. Uf ifas the south florida beef forage program may 24, 2018. Ufifas faculty members are available to provide expert opinion, comment, and analysis on a broad range of subjects. Previous work on biological control of cogongrass outside of the usa, 66 pathogens, 42 insects, two nematodes, and one mite have been found. Cogongrass was purposely introduced as a soil stabilizer for pasture lands in florida during the 1930s and 1940s. Cogongrass control help offered the andalusia starnews. Cogongrass was not a good livestock feed and it was too weedy for erosion control.
It is considered to be an invasive species in 73 countries and one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world, cogongrass affects pine productivity and survival, wildlife habitat, recreation, native plants, fire behavior, site management costs, and more. Edis electronic data information source of ufifas extension. Cogongrass identifying and eradicating a grassy weed. The invasion of cogongrass into south carolina is still in the early stages.