Regenerative capacity of rhizomes and tubers from two populations of Helianthus tuberosus L. (Jerusalem artichoke)

The regenerative responses of rhizomes and tubers from two populations of Helianthus tuberosus L. to burial and fragmentation were studied in field experiments. The regeneration of both populations varied with planting depth and stage of growth at which fragmentation occurred. Shoots of both populations emerged from rhizomes or tubers planted to depths of 30 cm. The percentage of tubers that regenerated was higher than that of rhizomes, particularly from deeper planting depths. The regeneration from rhizomes and tubers of a riverbank population was greater than that of a‘weedy’population. Rhizomes and tubers from both populations that had failed to produce shoots I year after planting were found to have decomposed completely. The significance of these results in relation to the distribution and control of H. tuberosus is discussed.     

Regeneration capacity of the small clonal fragments of the invasive Mikania micrantha H.B.K.: effects of the stolon thickness,internode length and presence of leaves

Mikania micrantha H.B.K., one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world, is now spreading quickly in southern China. Disturbance can fragment and spread the stolons of M. micrantha. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in order to assess the regeneration capacity of single‐node fragments with varying stolon thickness (diameters of 3.01, 2.49 and 1.96 mm), internode lengths (2 and 8 cm) and leaf presence status (with and without leaves). The results indicated that an increasing stolon thickness, internode length and the presence of leaves all increased the survival rate of the clonal fragments. An increasing stolon thickness, internode length and the presence of leaves also increased the growth of the clonal fragments and the presence of leaves exhibited the strongest effect. An increasing internode length and the presence of leaves also reduced the amount of time that was needed for emergence, while the effect of the stolon thickness was not significant. None of the effects of the interactions was significant, although the interaction between the stolon thickness and the internode length was nearly significant for fragment survival. These results suggest that M. micrantha has developed a strategy to cope with disturbance by storing reserves in the stolons and leaves, which could increase its regeneration capacity after fragmentation. Currently, the management of M. micrantha (such as manual or mechanical control) should avoid the generation of the small clonal fragments of M. micrantha, while repeated control with short time intervals is necessary in order to prevent reinvasion from the stolon fragments.     

Vegetative propagation of Solidago canadensis – do fragment size and burial depth matter?

Clonal species may benefit from human disturbance because their vegetative fragments may be distributed via soil. Solidago canadensis is an invasive rhizomatous perennial frequently found in ruderal environments. When creating new infrastructure, digging and cutting are two main factors that may influence the spread of S. canadensis into new areas. To have a better understanding of the invasive potential of S. canadensis, we investigated whether S. canadensis was able to survive and grow from stem cuttings as well as from rhizomes. Rhizomes and cuttings were collected from three populations in Eastern Norway. The rhizomes and cuttings were planted in a pot experiment to assess their vegetative ability to propagate. Rhizome fragments (5 and 10 cm long) were buried at 0.5, 10 and 30 cm depths. The cuttings were planted as 15 cm stems, with the bottom 5 cm pushed into the soil. The results showed that rhizome length did not have an effect on survival. Although some sprouting occurred at all burial depths, increasing depth had a negative effect on rhizome survival. In general, development of the cuttings was good, but there were differences between population performance and survival. These results imply that care must be taken when (i) constructing new sites, because digging and transport of soil masses may spread S. canadensis into new areas by rhizomes or cuttings, and (ii) mowing road verges and other ruderal areas to prevent the spread of stem cuttings from one area to another.     

Unrestricted growth, tuber formation and spread of Cyperus esculentus L. in Zimbabwe

The unrestricted growth and clonal spread from individual tubers of Cyperus esculentus L. were studied in Zimbabwe. Clonal material, collected from the Trelawney area, was grown in a square arrangement in the field with a 5 m spacing between original tubers. Growth was recorded at approximately monthly intervals for 2 years. The natural logarithm of clonal spread (m per month) was positively correlated to temperature and rainfall. Most growth occurred from November to March, a period of optimal moisture and temperature conditions. There was little growth during the remainder of the year. The changes in clonal spread during the year are expressed mathematically and incorporate two parameters of growth; one describes the rate of growth and the other predicts the radius once growth ceases Tuber numbers increased exponentially from December-April, the rate of tuber production being greater in the first than in the second year of growth. Tuber production was greatest during March, April and December, 1980. Dormancy of the tubers decreased during the cooler months from May to August. The value of describing unrestricted clonal growth, and conditions favouring tuber production, are discussed.     

Effects of nitrogen fertilization and cutting frequency on the competitive ability and the regrowth capacity of Rumex obtusifolius L. in several grass swards

The broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.) is widely distributed, and is perceived as a major weed problem in intensively managed permanent grassland. The effects of nitrogen fertilization (120; 240 or 480 kg N ha^?1), cutting frequency (every 4 or 6 weeks) and competing grasses on development, dry matter production and stem growth of Rumex were studied under field conditions. Young plants of Rumex were planted into established pure swards of Lolium multiflorum Lam., Lolium perenne L., Alopecurus pratensis L. and Poa pratensis L. In all treatments, only Lolium multiflorum hindered the growth of R. obtusifolius substantially. Cutting intervals of 6 weeks were more favourable to Rumex than were 4-week intervals. Its proportion of herbage yield increased from 2% at 120 kg N ha^?1, taken as an average of the three grass swards (Lolium multiflorum not included), to 18% at 480 kg N ha^?1. The reproductive capacity of Rumex was greatly influenced by the competing grass species: in the P. pratensis sward, Rumex developed up to 12.3 stems with inflorescences per plant per year, but only 0–9 stems developed in the L. multiflorum plots. The regrowth potential of R. obtusifolius after intense shoot competition and low interception of radiation was unexpectedly high. It is concluded that established dock plants cannot be controlled to any extent by strong competition of grasses, by variation in cutting frequency or by nitrogen fertilization. Effet de la fertilisation azotée et de la fréquence de coupe sur la compétitivité et la capacité de repousse de Rumex obtusifolius L. dans plusieurs pelouses de graminées Rumex obtusifolius L. est largement répandu, et il est considéré comme un problème majeur dans les prairies spermanentes intensives. Les effets de la fertilisation azotée (120, 240 ou 480 kg N ha^?1), de la fréquence de coupe (Chaque 4 ou 6 semaines) et des graminées en compétition sur le développement, la production de matière sèche et la croissance de la tige de Rumex ont étéétudiées en plein champ. Des jeunes plantes de Rumex ont été plantées dans des gazons purs de Lolium multiflorum Lam., Lolium perenne L., Alopecurus pratensis L., et Poa pratensis L. De tous les traitements, seul Lolium multiflorum entrave subtantiellement la croissance de R. obtusifolius. Les intervalles de coupe de 6 semaines sont plus favorables au Rumex que ceux de 4 semaines. Sa proportion du rendement en herbe passe de 2%à 120 kg N ha^?1 (moyenne des 3 gazons sans Lolium multiflorum), à 18%à 480 kg N ha^?1. La capacité de reproduction de Rumex est fortement influencée par l'espèce de graminée en compétition: pour le P. pratensis, le Rumex a développé jusqu'à 12,3 tiges avec inflorescence par plante et par an, et seulement 0,9 pour les parcelles L. multiflorum. Le potentiel de reprise de R. obtusifolius après une forte compétitivé aérienne et une faible interception des radiations a étéétonnamment élevé. On conclut que l'extension d'un Rumex installé ne peut être combattue par une forte compétition des graminées, la variation dans la fréquence de coupe ou la fertilisation azotée. Einfluss der Stickstoffdüngung und der Schnitthäufigkeit auf die Konkurrenz von Rumex obtusifolius L. in verschiedenen Grasbeständen Der Stumpfblättrige Ampfer (Rumex obtusifolius L.) stellt auf intensiv bewirtschafteten Dauerwiesen ein wichtiges Unkraut dar. Der Einfluss der Stickstoffdüngung (120, 240 oder 480 kg N ha^?1), der Schnitthäufigkeit (alle 4 oder 6 Wochen) und konkurrierender Gräser wurde im Freiland auf die Entwicklung, die Trockensubstanzproduktion und das Sprosswachstum von Ampfer untersucht. Junge Ampferpflanzen wurden in etablierte Reinbestände von Lolium multiflorum Lam., Lolium perenne L., Alopecurus pratensis L. und Poapratensis L. gepflanzt. Nur Lolium multiflorum vermochte das Wachstum von Ampfer wesentlich einzuschränken. Schnittintervalle von 6 Wochen förderten Rumex viel stärker als jene von 4 Wochen. Im Mittel der 3 Grasbestände (ohne L. multiflorum) stieg der Ertragsanteil von Rumex von 2% bei 120 kg N ha^?1 auf 18% bei 480 kg N ha^?1. Das Reproduktionsvermögen von Rumex wurde durch die konkurrierende Grasart stark beeinflusst, im Poa-pratensis-Bestand bildete Rumex 12,3 blütentragende Stengel pro Pflanze aus, im L. multiflorum-Bestand dagegen nur 0,9. Das Wiederaustrieb-svermögen von R. obtusifolius war nach intensiver Sprosskonkurrenz und niedriger Strahlungsabsorption unerwartet hoch. Aus den Ergebnissen ergibt sich, dass etablierte Ampfer-Pflanzen kaum durch konkurrenzstarke Gräser und durch die Änderung der Schnitthäufigkeit oder Stickstoffdüngung verdrängt werden können.     

Dynamics of above‐ground and below‐ground biomass of Rumex crispus,Rumex obtusifolius and the new weedy species Rumex hybrid cv. OK‐2 (R. patientia x R. tianschanicus) in the seeding year

Docks can be serious weeds of arable land and permanent grasslands where they can persist through well‐established root systems. A Rumex hybrid (R. patientia x R. tianschanicus; cv. OK‐2, Uteusha) has been planted as a forage and energy crop since 2001 in Czechia and has now become a new weed species. As its ecological characteristics are unknown, there is a need for improved knowledge for developing control measures and strategies. In 2010 and 2011, we performed a tube pot experiment to investigate above‐ground and below‐ground biomass growth dynamics and below‐ground biomass allocation of Rumex OK‐2. We compared the hybrid with Rumex crispus and Rumex obtusifolius during the vegetation season in the seeding year. Above‐ground and below‐ground biomass of Rumex species tended to increase from July to September. In the seeding year, flowering was recorded only for one plant of Rumex OK‐2 and 27.5% of R. obtusifolius plants, whereas R. crispus did not flower. The proportion of below‐ground biomass of Rumex species in the upper 30 cm was about 70–80%. The growth dynamics and allocation of below‐ground biomass of Rumex OK‐2 were more like R. crispus than to R. obtusifolius. These similarities indicate the potential of Rumex OK‐2 to become a troublesome weedy species, comparable with R. crispus.     

Genetic diversity and clonal structure of Rubia peregrina in Mediterranean vineyard and unmanaged habitats

The genetic diversity and clonal structure of weedy and non-weedy populations of a clonal perennial, Rubia peregrina L., were investi gated in a vineyard and in unmanaged habitats of Southern France. The overall genetic diversity of populations was evaluated on a large scale, whereas spatial distribution and clonal structure were studied on a small scale. Isozyme phenotypes were identified using electrophore-sis of three polymorphic enzyme systems. Most isozyme phenotypes were restricted to one population. Intra-population genetic diversity did not differ between populations, whereas clonal structure did. In the vineyard, few clones forming numerous packed ramets and with dis tinct areas were identified, whereas in the unmanaged habitats a higher number of inter mingled clones, forming few widely spaced ramets, were observed. The variability in clonal structure may be linked to different responses of clones to the contrasting environmental condi tions. These results suggest that the colonizing ability of a clonal perennial weed is not necessarily associated with low levels of genetic diversity, but may be related to the variability of the clonal structure.     

AFLP analysis of genetic diversity in populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis elliptica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis tulipae</Emphasis> from the Netherlands

The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and to infer the mode of reproduction of Botrytis elliptica and B. tulipae in the Netherlands. First, three molecular typing methods were compared for their ability to differentiate isolates of B. tulipae, B. elliptica, and B. cinerea. The methods compared were multilocus sequencing, restriction analysis of the ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) region, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. AFLP fingerprinting provided the most efficient method to differentiate isolates within each Botrytis species and therefore this method was used for population analyses of B. elliptica and B. tulipae. Isolates of both species were sampled during successive growing seasons in experimental field plots in Lisse and other locations in the Netherlands. Among 174 B. elliptica isolates, 105 genotypes could be discriminated and 87 genotypes were found only once, reflecting high genotypic variation. Clonal genotypes were found only within growing seasons and in one location. Linkage disequilibrium analyses indicated that between 9.4% and 19.3% of the loci in clone-corrected samples were linked. The multilocus association index provided no evidence for random mating. We conclude that sexual recombination occurs in the B. elliptica population. Among the 170 B. tulipae isolates, 25 genotypes could be discriminated and four genotypes were found only once, reflecting a low genotypic variation. Clonal genotypes were frequently found in different growing seasons and different locations. Linkage disequilibrium analyses indicated that between 25.2% and 48.6% of the loci in clone-corrected samples were linked. We conclude that the B. tulipae population is mainly clonal with some recombination.     

Effect of cutting frequency on above‐ and belowground biomass production of Rumex alpinus,R. crispus,R. obtusifolius and the Rumex hybrid (R. patienta × R. tianschanicus) in the seeding year

Rumex species are important weeds in grasslands and on arable land. The Rumex hybrid (R. patienta × R. tianschanicus; cv. OK‐2, Uteusha) has been planted as a forage and energy crop since 2001 in the Czech Republic, but its ecological requirements and its potential to become a new weedy species have never been investigated. In 2010 and 2011, we performed a pot experiment to investigate the effect of none, one and two cuts per year on biomass production of Rumex OK‐2 and common broad‐leaved Rumex species (Rumex obtusifolius, R. crispus and R. alpinus). The higher cutting frequency can reduce the belowground biomass, but no effect on the aboveground biomass was detected. Flowering in the seeding year was recorded in only 50% of R. obtusifolius plants. Non‐flowering R. obtusifolius plants produced significantly more belowground biomass than flowering plants under no cutting or one cut treatments. The growth response of Rumex OK‐2 to different cutting treatments was very similar to R. crispus. These similarities indicate the weed potential of the hybrid to become a troublesome weedy species, similar to R. crispus.     

Survival and growth of seedlings of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L. in newly sown grassland

The survival and growth of seedlings of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L. were investigated from 1982 to 1984. A sward was established by the sowing of seeds of Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium repens and managed under two cutting frequencies. Five hundred seeds of each Rumex species were sown m^?2. The total number of emergent seedlings of each Rumex species over two seasons was 230–360 m^?2. About 85% of them emerged within 3 months of sowing. Both Rumex species showed the same pattern of survivorship. Survival was clearly enhanced by frequent cutting during the second season. About 20% of the emerged plants survived through to the third season. Plants that emerged during the first season only flowered during the second season. The flowering percentage of total surviving plants was significantly higher in R. obtusifolius than in R. crispus. Rumex obtusifolius was higher in dry matter of aerial parts defoliated during the second season and more individual plants survived through to the third season than for R. crispus. Moreover, dry matter production of grass and clover was depressed by 25–30% in mixtures with R. obtusifolius. compared with production in mixtures with R. crispus.     

Transplant survival of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L. in three old reseeded grasslands

A transplant experiment was performed to compare the survivorship of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L., and also to determine the environmental characteristics of grasslands seriously colonized with R. obtusifolius. One-month-old seedlings of each Rumex species were transplanted into three old reseeded swards with different infestation levels of R. obtusifolius plants. Rumex crispus was absent from all swards. Their survival was monitored at monthly intervals for 4 years (May 1982 to May 1986). The mortality of R. obtusifolius was greater in the third and fourth years in all swards, less than 2% of the phytometers being alive in the fifth spring. The number of R. crispus transplants declined more gradually in the course of the experiment and 4–24% of the phytometers still survived by the end of the experiment. This suggests that R. obtusifolius plants colonized in sown grasslands in the cool-climate region have a comparatively short life expectation of 3–4 years. Mortality rate, growth in size and flowering percentage tended to vary significantly between sites: higher in more productive swards. In years 2 and 3 there were seven-fold differences in mean dry matter weights of plants that produced an inflorescence and those that remained in a vegetative phase. The mortality of transplants was not size dependent in either Rumex species. Phytometers died at random irrespective of the individual sizes.     

Evidence for selection pressure from resistant potato genotypes but not from fungicide application within a clonal Phytophthora infestans population

Insight into pathogen population dynamics provides a key input for effective disease management of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Phytophthora infestans populations vary from genetically complex to more simple with a few clonal lineages. The presence or absence of certain strains of P. infestans may impact the efficacy of fungicides or host resistance. Current evidence indicates that genetically, the Irish populations of P. infestans are relatively simple with a few clonal lineages. In this study, P. infestans populations were genetically characterized based on samples collected at the national centre for potato breeding during the period 2012–16. The dominance of clonal lineages within this P. infestans population was confirmed and the potential selection pressure of fungicide treatment (2013–15) and host resistance (2016) on this clonal P. infestans population was then investigated. It was found that fungicide products did not notably affect the genetic structure of sampled populations relative to samples from untreated control plants. In contrast, samples taken from several resistant potato genotypes were found to be more often of the EU_13_A2 lineage than those taken from control King Edward plants or potato genotypes with low resistance ratings. Resistant potato varieties Sarpo Mira and Bionica, containing characterized R genes, were found to strongly select for EU_13_A2 strains.     

Studies in the growth of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. (bracken) 1. Regeneration of rhizome segments

The patterns of regeneration of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. (bracken) rhizome segments grown in pot culture are described. The overall capacity for regeneration was unaffected by the rhizome type planted, i.e., whether it consisted of only a length of frond-bearing ‘short shoote’ or whether this was attached to part of the main storage and exploratory ‘long shoot’. In all cases rhizomes extended, produced new lateral buds and developed fronds during the first summer. Regenerative capacity was also similar for segments with or without apical buds. Different patterns of growth were observed in plants grown from different types of segment: in particular, more new lateral buds were produced on rhizome segments originally lacking an apex. As rhizomes extended, the distance between successive lateral buds increased. The results are discussed in relation to the possible roles of correlative inhibition and patterns of translocation between fronds and rhizomes and to information on field populations.     

Cryptic species and population genetic structure of Plasmopara viticola in São Paulo State,Brazil

Downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) is one of the most important diseases in grape-growing areas worldwide, including Brazil. To examine pathogen population biology and structure, P. viticola was sampled during the 2015/16 growing season from 516 lesions on nine grape cultivars in 11 locations in subtropical areas of São Paulo State, Brazil. For identification of cryptic species, a subsample of 130 isolates was subjected to cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) analysis, and for 91 of these isolates the ITS1 region was sequenced. These analyses suggest that the population of P. viticola in São Paulo State consists of a single cryptic species, P. viticola clade aestivalis. Seven microsatellite markers were used to determine the genetic structure of all 516 P. viticola isolates, identifying 23 alleles and 55 multilocus genotypes (MLGs). Among these MLGs, 34.5% were clonal and represented 93% of the isolates sampled. Four dominant genotypes were present in at least five different locations, corresponding to 65.7% of the isolates sampled. Genotypic diversity (Ĝ = 0.21–0.89) and clonal fraction (0.58–0.96) varied among locations (populations). Most populations showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg expectations; in addition, excess of heterozygosity was verified for many loci. However, principal coordinate analysis revealed no clusters among locations and no significant isolation by distance was found, suggesting high levels of migration. The results indicate that downy mildew epidemics result from multiple clonal infections caused by a few genotypes of P. viticola, and reproduction of P. viticola in São Paulo State is predominantly asexual.     

Analysis of population structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> in Yunnan Province of China by using AFLP

Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive wheat diseases in China. Yunnan Province, located in south-western China, possesses unique features of geography, climate, wheat growth and stripe rust epidemics, different from main epidemic regions in China. The isolates of this pathogen were collected from nine counties in Yunnan Province during February to May of 2008. Used as a comparison, isolates were also collected from five counties of Gansu Province, the province important in inter-regional stripe rust epidemics in China. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method was applied to study the population genetics of the pathogen among different populations in these two provinces. Forty one AFLP genotypes were obtained from 150 isolates and the genotype qj3 showed the highest frequency in Yunnan Province. While 22 genotypes were detected from 40 isolates, no genotype showing as predominant was identified in Gansu Province. Genotypic diversity in Gansu Province was higher than that in Yunnan Province. A free recombination signature was detected in Gansu Province but not in Yunnan Province. We concluded that the population of P. striiformis in Yunnan Province can be considered as a clonal population.     

An investigation of genetic variation in Cirsium arvense field patches

The genetic structure of typical Cirsium arvense patch populations in two arable fields was examined. Patches were mapped and plant samples were taken in these patches. Plants of a central patch and four surrounding patches were sampled in 1 year to investigate the influence of root fragment dispersal. Plants of another patch were sampled in three subsequent years to investigate the patch development. The genotypes of the plants were examined using repetitive enterogenic primer (REP) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis. The mean proportion of distinguishable genotypes ranged from 0.13 to 0.67 and the evenness index ranged from 0.58 to 1.00. Differences in genotypes between neighbouring patches indicated that root fragment dispersal via soil cultivation was of minor importance. Three years sampling within a patch showed that the patch mainly ‘grew’ via the establishment of new clones rather than by clonal growth of one genotype. The influence of various factors caused by population demography or arable practice on patch development in an arable field is discussed. Although various factors can help to maintain genetic diversity, there is strong evidence for regular seedling establishment in arable fields.     

Clonal populations of Leptosphaeria maculans contaminating cabbage in Mexico

The race structure and genotypic diversity of four Leptosphaeria maculans populations isolated from Brassica oleracea (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.) in central Mexico (Aguascalientes, Guanajuato and Zacatecas states) were analysed. Race structure was characterized by an unusually low diversity at three locations out of four. Fourteen minisatellite markers revealed a high proportion of repeated multilocus genotypes in these populations, combined with a significant linkage disequilibrium and strong clonal fraction (65–87%). The occurrence of the mating‐type idiomorphs always significantly departed from the 1:1 proportion expected in the case of random mating. Each population thus consists of a few (four to nine) multilocus genotypes which are specific to each location. These data strongly support the hypothesis of exclusive, or a high rate of, clonal multiplication. Comparison of cropping practices between B. oleracea and B. napus indicate that the shift in reproductive behaviour of the fungus is chiefly man‐mediated.     

Population structure of the rice sheath blight pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> AG-1 IA from India

The population structure of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA causing rice sheath blight from India was evaluated for 96 isolates using seven RFLP loci. Nineteen of the isolates did not hybridise to R. solani AG-1 IA RFLP probes and rDNA analyses subsequently confirmed that they were either Ceratobasidium oryzae-sativae isolates or another Rhizoctonia sp. The population structure of the remaining 77 R. solani AG-1 IA Indian isolates was similar to that of a previously characterized Texas population. Clonal dispersal of R. solani AG-1 IA in India was moderate within fields and no clones were shared among field populations. Low levels of population subdivision and small genetic distances among populations were consistent with high levels of gene flow. Frequent sexual reproduction was indicated by the fact that most populations were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The two loci (R68 and R111) that deviated significantly from HWE showed an excess of heterozygosity. Although Texas and Indian populations were geographically very distant, they exhibited only moderate population subdivision, with an F_ST value of 0.193.     

The effect of asulam on two Lolium perenne swards containing Rumex obtusifolius

The effects of asulam applied in September 1970 at 0.55, 1.12 and 2.24 kg a.i./ha on Rumex obtusifolius (L.), Lolium perenne (L.), Other grasses and Trifolium repens (L.) growing in two swards in Wales were investigated. Good short-term control of Rumex was achieved by all rates of asulum although regeneration was occurring by the spring following treatment. Dry matter yields of L. perenne were slightly lowered by 2.24 kg a.i./ha 6 weeks after spraying but production in the spring following treatment was substantially greater than on untreated plots. Poa trivialis (L.) and Agrostis stolonifera (L.) were substantially reduced but invasion of the bare spaces by P. trivialis and P. annua (L.) seedlings tended to mask the success of this control. No harmful effects on T. repens were recorded.