ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
Regional Cogongrass Conference
Howard Peavey, ALDOT Agronomist
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• In the early 1970’s Dr.
Ray Dickens (Auburn
University), as a
result of his project
work, recognized the
invasive potential of
Cogongrass and
recommended an
eradication program
be started
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• By the 1990’s ALDOT recognized problems
associated with Cogongrass
–
–
–
–
Increased road safety hazards
Increased mowing costs
Increased maintenance costs
Other land use issues
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• In 2000 ALDOT funded
Auburn University
research project: 930-486
Mapping, Control & Revegetation of Cogongrass
Infestations on Alabama
ROW
www.dot.state.al.us
select Bureaus
select Maintenance
select MB Publications
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• Research included
– “shotgun” herbicide tests
– mowing tests
– fertilization tests
– herbicide/mowing/fertilization combinations
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• Recommendations included
– Prevention Techniques
• Restricted movement of infested soil
• Cleaning of equipment
• Timing of mowing
– Herbicide Treatments
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• Herbicide recommendations called for a 3 year regime:
– Fall - glyphosate ≥ 3 lb ai/acre / seeding of cover crop
– Spring - glyphosate ≥ 3 lb ai/acre / seeding of warm
season grass mix
or
– Fall - glyphosate + imazapyr @ 1.5 + 0.38 lb ai/acre /
seeding of a cover crop
– Spring - glyphosate ≥ 3 lb ai/acre / seeding of warm
season grass mix
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• Herbicidal
– ALDOT has chosen the more conservative approach
using glyphosate only for split treatments
• Operational
– Aldot has divided the State into 3 functional areas
Outliers:
All confirmed locations
are treated in their
entirety regardless
of their location.
US 82; Bibb County
Interstate 85; Montgomery County
Interstate 20; Cleburne County
Active Front:
Locations are confirmed
and mapped; those that
can be completely
circumferenced on
ALDOT ROW are
being treated.
Interstate 65
Active Front:
Locations are confirmed
and mapped; those that
can be completely
circumferenced on
ALDOT ROW are
being treated.
Cogongrass Locations within the 8th Division
Far South:
The sheer magnitude
of the problem has
limited ALDOT’s
approach & success.
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• What have we Learned?
– While application timing certainly can favorably
impact results, it is important to get started
– Most outbreaks can be controlled with glyphosate
alone
Interstate 59; Dekalb County
Interstate 20; Cleburne County
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• What have we Learned?
– While application timing certainly can favorably
impact results, it is important to get started
– Most outbreaks can be controlled with glyphosate
alone but persistence is key
– Control in Mobile and Baldwin Counties will require
designated funding and a planned, coordinated effort
reaching across land use boundaries and the use of
multiple tools. Because of the volume and maturity of
the stands in this area, the addition of imazapyr to the
treatment regime may be required.
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
• What have we Learned?
– Partnerships will play an important role
SOAR www.soarsite.org
(Save Our Alabama Roadsides)
Bart McPherson
PO 100
Beatrice, AL 36425
bart@soarsite.org
ALDOT COGONGRASS
TREATMENT
Cogongrass Research Project
www.dot.al.us
select Bureaus
select Maintenance Bureau
select Maintenance Bureau Publications
Howard Peavey
ALDOT Agronomist
peaveyh@dot.state.al.us
(334) 242-6282