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| If there is not a dominant grass crop, broadleaf weeds proliferate after winter fire...seeds of some weeds are scarified by fire which enhances their germination. In the first growing season after a prescribed fire in thinned timber, we see about 80% weeds and 20% grass in the plant community....4 growing seasons later 80% grass 20% weeds...that second fire is a 'hot one'! LOL.
A late summer fire can control the seed set on some established weeds, if there is enough ground level fuel and conditions to carry the fire (not as easy as some think). Many weeds which germinate after that don't have the time to set viable seed before frost. This is also a great time for fire to control brush as the 'energy' of the tree/brush is up in the canopy...fire girdles the trunk...root reserves can't be repleted....winterkill of woody species is improved.
NT drilling a winter annual cover crop into the standing mess then rolling and spraying is another option....no different then drilling to standing rye. I've seen successful pictures of this method in tall weeds. The cover crop canopy will aid in breakdown of weed residues.
In areas with high pan evaporation rates, leaving mulch on the surface is important for soil moisture retention....drilling a cover may be the best option if the field is fairly well fitted. | |
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advice from notillers
