Centaurea biebersteinii (herb)

Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

Management Information For details on chemical, physical, biological control options, please see management information.              Location Specific Management Information Montana According to Zouhar (2001), low to moderate levels of grazing by cattle, domestic sheep, and domestic goats have been observed in Montana. Of these, sheep seem to have the most promise for control through prescribed grazing. The proportion of spotted knapweed plants may be reduced through long-term sheep grazing if seed production can also be eliminated. The treatment should be long-term because spotted knapweed seeds persist in the seed bank for many years (Olsen et. al, 2001). Others suggest that livestock grazing is not likely to seriously reduce weed populations in native bunchgrass communities because of its many other competitive attributes. Germination of seeds was not affected by the application of wheat gluten meal at any rate. Fertilization trials in western Montana using variable rates of nitrogen fertilizer suggest that N fertilization alone is an impractical control approach, and would likely contribute to an increase in this weed (Zouhar, 2001). Oregon Mauer et al. (1987) note that hand removal (by August) in central and eastern Oregon may allow the removal of a large number of seedlings, rosettes and reproducing plants in a small infested area. However, effects of soil disturbance on knapweed seed germination are not well documented.          Management Resources/Links 1. Bonneau A. (2000). Centaurea maculosa: Spotted knapweed Department of Plant Sciences, Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.         Summary: Short report on taxonomy, key identification points, ecological and physiological relations, and management. 2. European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), 2006. Guidelines for the management of invasive alien plants or potentially invasive alien plants which are intended for import or have been intentionally imported. EPPO Bulletin 36 (3), 417-418. 3. Mauer T., Russo M. J., Evans M. (1987) Element Stewardship Abstract for Centaurea maculosa. The Nature Conservancy.         Summary: An Element Stewardship Abstract containing detail report on description, distribution, dispersal methods, impacts, habitats and control. 4. Olson, B.E., Wallander, R.T., 2001. Sheep grazing spotted knapweed and Idaho fescue. Journal of range management. {Lakewood Colo. : Society for Range Management.}54, no. 1 (Jan 2001): p.25-30 5. The Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (GOERT)., 2007. Exotic plant species in Garry oak and associated ecosystems in British Columbia         Summary: Available from: http://www.goert.ca/pubs_invasive.php#plant_species [Accessed 13 February 2008] 6. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia Native Plant Society (VDCR/VNPS), UNDATED. Invasive Alien Plant Species of Virginia: Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa Lam.).         Summary: Detailed report on description, habitat, distribution, reproduction methods, uses, and control. Available from: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/fscema.pdf [Accessed 28 July 2008]          Results Page: 1