EVALUATION OF HERBICIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF COUCHGRASS, AGROPYRON REPENS (L.) BEAUV.

Summary. Two techniques for the comparative evaluation for the control of couchgrass ( Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) were tested in 1960, and it was concluded that the more practicable was the one in which known lengths (96 in.) of couchgrass rhizome fragments were planted in a plot of 10 × 2 ft. The rhizomes were allowed to grow and herbicides were applied when the shoots were 6–9 in. high. Two to 3 months later the rhizomes were carefully dug up, weighed, measured and dried. Dry weight of rhizomes was used as a measure of the quantity of couchgrass present. Four trials of spring applications, and two of autumn applications are reported.
Of the commercially available herbicides, amitrole-T, TCA and dalapon were effective in that order, and presented no insuperable problems of persistence in the soil. Fenac and atrazine showed little promise. Spring applications of herbicides were considerably more effective than autumn treatments.
Essai d'herbicides pour la lutte contre Agropyron repens