Invasive plants present one of the greatest challenges to the management of military lands in florida

Many land managers utilize a limited number of tools and techniques developed decades ago to deal with overwhelming issues. Innovation is needed to advance invasive plant management but has often been lacking. In florida three extremely troublesome species include brazilian peppertree schinus terebinthifolia melaleuca melaleuca quinquenervia and cogongrass imperata cylindrica). All three are ecosystem transformers and have been problematic on military lands for decades. Our overall objective is to develop innovative tools and techniques for enhanced management of these species. Our specific aims include reducing labor and herbicide inputs for melaleuca control increasing selectivity of cogongrass control to better protect native species and modifying basal bark treatment methods for brazilian peppertree to reduce herbicide and oil carrier inputs into the environment. To accomplish these we propose a series of field studies that include each of these species. For melaleuca we propose to test a new wedge cut and treat technique to control well established trees with novel herbicides and compare them to the conventional girdle spray treatment with glyphosate and imazapyr. For brazilian peppertree we propose to evaluate a novel triclopyr formulation mixed with water and low concentration adjuvants to replace standard basal bark oils. For all studies we will collect efficacy data over time that will include defoliation regrowth potential mortality and non target injury. Results will be widely distributed throughout florida and nationally through the armed forces pest management board. If successful these studies will directly assist land managers by providing new tools and techniques for enhanced invasive plant management.