Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is an invasive, non-native grass that occurs in the Southeast region of the United States. [Accessed Sep 10, 2014]. Landowner may be a private individual, joint owner, a non-profit organization, or a corporation that is not an industry and has no publicly traded stock. Rehabilitation is the most important phase of control and reclamation of land infested with cogongrass or other non-native invasive plants. Mark Atwater, Weed Control Unlimited, Inc., Bugwood.org. But, the platelet and WBCs, were tend to increase in diabetic control group and treatment group 1, in contrast in treatment group 2 was tend to decrease. The researchers further found that those two original lineages of cogongrass have managed to spread throughout the Southeast, and may have benefitted from exchanges of genetic material in the two statesAlabama and Mississippiwhere they predominate. IFAS. Additionally, it can grow in both full sunlight and highly shaded areas, although it is less tolerant to shade. Cogongrass was both accidentally and purposely introduced in the southern United States in the early 1910s and 1920s. Shilling, C.A.N. Cogongrass is an aggressive perennial grass that is distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is native to tropical and subtropical areas of the eastern hemisphere. Each bunch contains several leaves arising from a central area along a rhizome (an underground, horizontal stem). We appreciate your proactive measures to control this noxious weed. USDA. Be sure to choose species that colonize rapidly and tolerate the residual affects of your chosen herbicide. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is working to ensure all web content is accessible to all users. McDonald, S.K., D.G. If you see cogongrass, contact your local Forestry Commission Office or your County Extension Office as soon as possible. Cogon grass, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Ruschel, is. Bryson, C.T. It flowers immediately after the transition from dormancy to full greenup in the spring, typically from March to May, although warm winters may cause earlier greenup and flowering. 23. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Botany Circular No. Today, it reduces forest productivity, destroys wildlife habitat (including those for gopher tortoises, Eastern Indigo snakes, and . Discrimination in university employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Replacement species should be planted in the area following the last treatment (either spring or second fall after 90% control is achieved) to suppress reinfestation. Ornamental introductions continue to be made in the U.S. with the numerous "red cultivars" offered by nurseries. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Cogongrass fires are hotter, faster and higher than native grass fires. PPQ. There are only a few localized benefits of cogon grass. Cogon grass is globally known as a pest and one of the top ten worst weeds in the world. Published by: Agronomy Department (rev. Antifebrile, diuretic, restorative, hemostatic. 1984. During the 1930s and 1940s, the plant was introduced into Florida as a potential forage crop and for soil stabilization purposes. Cogon grass infestations can reduce pine survival and growth, and in fire situations, may result in complete mortality of overstory trees due to flammable oils in the grass blades raising the intensity and severity of prescribed burns. Seed and rhizomes move even farther when hitchhiking on equipment, mulch, and fill materials. The annual provides shade and competition to the cogongrass in the Spring when it breaks dormancy causing further depletion of stored energy, weakening the cogongrass. Moorehead, D.J., C.T. 66 p. Bryson, C.T. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. However, although tillage and herbicides will provide some control and suppression of cogongrass, long-term eradication is seldom achieved. APHIS. Dry periods during the summer will aid in the control of cogongrass. 7, Imperial Bureau Pastures and Forage Crops, Aberystwyth, Wales, Great Britain. More specifically, cogongrass is native to East and Southeast Asia, Australia, and East and South Africa. It is also a state noxious weed in Mississippi, so it cannot be moved within the state boundaries without a permit from the Department of Agriculture and Commerce Bureau of Plant Industry. State Headquarters: 1996. Seedheads will vary from 2 to 8 inches in length (Figure 3). The small wind-pollinated flowers are borne in a thin cluster, and each spikelet bears many long silky hairs. Cogon grass grows 0.63 metres (210 feet) tall and has roots that can reach more than 1 metre (3.3 feet) long. Flowers typically occur at the top of the stem and are easily identified by silvery or whitish, silky hairs attached to the seed that create the appearance of a feathery plume (Figure 3). Shilling. The effects of temperature, time, packing density and oil concentration on oil absorption efficiency were investigated and optimised utilising one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and response surface methodology (RSM) approaches. These cultivars are subject to much debate by invasive plant researchers and managers. National Agricultural Pest Information System. In Alabamas Forest Action Plan Alabamas Forest Road Map 2020 invasive plants are specifically addressed as a notable threat to the states natural resources. 1993. Include an 80/20 NIS (Non-ionic surfactant) at 0.25% to 0.5% v/v (10-20 mL of NIS per gallon of spray solution). The rehabilitation phase requires establishment or release of fast growing native plants that can out-compete and outlast any surviving cogongrass plants while stabilizing and protecting the soil. Young leaves appear light green, while older leaves turn orange-brown. Consequently, it was placed on the noxious weed list, which prohibits new plantings. Cogongrass, Imperata cylindricl (L.) Beauv. You could carry fragments of roots to other areas, spreading this noxious weed. Regulatory Services. The compound of cogon grass is potentially served as an herbs medicine. A few monocultures have become established on hundreds of acres of reclaimed phosphate mining areas in central Florida. Southern Weed Society Newsletter 17:8. But, the effect on haematology profile is still well unknown. 2008-2012 | Contact Us | About This Site | Privacy | SSN Privacy, Aggressive weed becoming a menace worse than kudzu--IFAS News, July 5, 2008, Control of Non-native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Help Protect Florida's Natural Areas from Non-Native Invasive Plants, IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas, National Invasive Species Information Center--USDA. Below are some additional points to consider regarding chemical control of cogongrass. It has potentially effect as anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet on diabetic mice. The area can be planted to a fall cover crop and then followed the next season with perennial or annual grass or broadleaf crops. Data from the genetics study supported previous observations that two major cogongrass lineages were introduced from differing parts of the grass native range in Southeast Asia. Photo Credit: Mark Mauldin. Dozier, H., J.F. In some scenarios it may be feasible and beneficial to plant a cool-season annual (like ryegrass) over dormant cogongrass (assuming foliage has been removed by fire or some other means). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. : A good grass gone bad! Cogongrass not only replaces native plants, on which wildlife feed, it also has very high silica content, and therefore is unpalatable to native wildlife. Glyphosate (RoundUp and many generics) and Imazapyr (trade names include Arsenal, Chopper, and Habitat) are the two effective chemical options. The typical offset, white midrib of a cogongrass leaf. Weed Alert: Cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.]. Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Some cultivars are grown as ornamentals, and the plant is commonly used for erosion control. Export citation and abstract Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. GRIN-Global. 7:1518. It is often necessary to establish fast growing tree species during the later control phase to hinder reestablishment of cogongrass. Discrimination in university employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Dont forget to include a surfactant with your herbicide. This makes control by disking and mowing highly ineffective and can spread populations even further. Vegetative spread in existing infestations was recently found to exceed 200 sq ft. per day, in drought conditions, in the Florida Panhandle (C. Ramsey, USDA APHIS-PPQ-CPHST, personal communication). Cogon grass should first be burned or mowed, preferably in summer, to remove excess thatch and older leaves. Cogongrass has a very substantial rhizome root system. Cogongrass fires can kill pine trees and other plants that are typically resistant to wildfires because of the intense heat. It is considered to be an invasive species in 73 countries and one of the "Top 10 Worst Weeds in the World.". The best areas are with an annual temperature of 25-35C, but the grass can tolerate 20-40C. This species is wide-spread in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi and is starting to spread in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Biology, Ecology and Management in Florida (SS-AGR-52) by G. E. MacDonald, B. J. Brecke, J. F. Gaffney, K. A. Langeland, J. Photo Credit: https://www.forestryimages.org/. the benefits of cogon grass for health, parts of plants that are often used for treatment are roots, rhizomes and flowers in both fresh and dry conditions.co. Additional goals are to slow the spread of current establishments and to prevent introductions into new areas of the state. This site uses cookies. This combination may be applied by helicopter and should include a suitable surfactant not to exceed 0.5%. YouTube; Alabama Forestry Commission. 11 HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPEAR GRASS (KOGON) Gen info Speargrass is one of the most dominant and noxious weeds in agricultural and non-agricultural fields. Its dense stems and rooting system choke out other vegetation (Figure 2). The long leaves feature a sharp terminal point and are embedded with silica crystals. Hubbard, C.E. The rhizome's specialized anatomy allows for water conservation, and it can penetrate up to four feet into the soil, although most rhizomes remain in the top six inches. If you burn your fields during the summer, apply herbicides in the late summer or early fall--approximately one month prior to the average killing frost, depending on area. Farmers planted cogongrass for pastures and erosion control, but cogongrass has poor nutritional value for livestock feed and is too weedy for erosion control. Most vegetables, row crops, and ornamentalswill be injuredif planted with 24 months following an imazapyr application. First introduced into the United States in the early 1900s at the port in Mobile, Alabama, cogongrass continues to spread extensively causing persistent infestations in the Southeast. (Cogongrass infestations that are in Mobile and Baldwin counties may be referred or transferred to another control treatment program.). Moreover, the rough edges of mature cogon grass leaves and silica bodies throughout the leaves cause mammals to avoid chewing the foliage [6] and make it unsuitable for grazing animals. Weed Technology 737-743. by Mark Mauldin | Sep 18, 2020 | Forage & Pasture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pest Management, Weeds. 1998. A nonionic surfactant not to exceed 1/4 percent of spray solution volume can be used only for loblolly pine. Cogongrass produces long fluffy white seedheads. Physical Address Cogongrass now contaminates 1.25 million acres in the southeastern United States. Chemically site prepare with Arsenal AC (2 pints per acre) or Chopper (4 pints per acre) plus glyphosate at 4 pounds active ingredient per acre in the fall prior to planting in late winter (at least 3 months after application). Landowners and agencies have fought this weed for years with limited success. 52-72. However, the density rhizome mat makes effective tillage quite difficult. BibTeX University Press of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI. Cogon grass ( Imperata cylindrica) as an alternative source of paper was studied using journals that discussed its chemical properties, pulping properties, and capabilities. Cogongrass is a major impediment to reforestation efforts in southeast Asia, the number one weed in agronomic and vegetable production in many parts of Africa, and is responsible for thousands of hectares of lost native habitat in the southeastern U.S. Biologically, cogongrass possesses several features that foster its spread and persistence. National Genetic Resources Program. Holm, L.G., D.L. Burning or Mowing. In 2 to 5 year old slash and longleaf plantations apply Arsenal AC only after August 15 with a rate of 12 to 16 ounces per acre without a surfactant. Cogongrass grows in loose-to-compact bunches. Of them, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol was the most potent (78.3-100% of inhibition), followed by iso-eugenol and 4-acetyl-2-methoxyphenol. Weed Technology, 7:10051009. dOust XP is a registered trademark of Dupont, Wilmington, DE 19898. The acreage, stand, or site of the cogongrass infestation cannot be currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), or any other federal cost-share program. 1993. Their abundance of leaves provide a lot of surface area for sunlight to produce photosynthesis (energy produced from the sun). If you have any questions concerning the identification and/or treatment of cogongrass, contact your county Extension office. Regrowth must be treated the following spring and possibly the next fall to ensure rhizome kill. The cogongrass itself just comes back stronger. Figure 4. Electronic Data Information Source - publication resources. The Cogongrass Mitigation Program is funded by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) and administered by the AFC to assist landowners affected by this noxious weed. 513 Madison Ave. Omissions? Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.) Do not attempt any prescribed burns in areas with cogongrass before consulting with Forestry Commission personnel. Large, heavy equipment is necessary to break the rhizome mat. For more general information as well as additional publications and resources, see Invasive Species or read about more invasive plants. Cogongrass disrupts ecosystem functions, reduces wildlife habitat, decreases tree seedling growth and establishment success, and alters fire regimes and intensity. Acceptance of a property, stand, or area for control treatment will be based on several factors, including but not limited to, available resources to meet current treatment agreements, cogongrass verification, infestation location, and legal ownership. Report a potential cogongrass sighting online or call your local GFC Forester. USDA. Identifying and Controlling Cogongrass in Georgia, A Better Approach to Controlling Cogongrass- BASF Factsheet, When Cogongrass attacks, fight back with Arsenal- BASF, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Cogongrass is drought tolerant and has prolific wind-dispersed seed production. Its dense stems and rooting system choke out other vegetation (Figure 2). Corrections? Shilling. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has initiated a new social media campaign to raise awareness of the dangers cogongrass poses to the state. In areas with killing frosts, the leaves will turn light brown during winter months and present a substantial fire hazard. Tabor, P. 1949. Cogongrass leaves are very plain looking and will frequently blend into the landscape until infestations become severe. Johnson, and D.G. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Wheel of Health: The Sources of Long Life and Health Among the Hunza by Dr. G. T. Wrench For the Love of the Soil by Nicole Masters The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Book 5 of 8) by Edward Gibbon Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome Metabolical by Dr. Robert Lustig Satyricon by Gaius Petronius This stuff is tough." Cogongrass is also a physical barrier to seedling establishment of native plants, says Browning. 1998) and for erosion control (Moorehead et al. In: N.J. Loewenstein and J.H. Cogongrass has now infested more than 75 percent of Alabama's counties. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Google. Couch grass is a grass that is an invasive weed. 4. Pathogens. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Galveston Bay Estuary Program; Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). Cogongrass was first introduced into the United States near Grand Bay, Alabama in 1911 via seed packing material in shipping containers from Japan. Couch grass is used for constipation, cough, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and. Cogongrass is regulated as a federal noxious weed. Shilling, D.G., E.R.R.L. Leaves of cogongrass display a midrib that is off-set (closer to one leaf margin than the other). One of the major benefits that the researchers see is that cogon grass grows at a rapid speed . These beneficial compounds have a far reaching impact on your overall health and can protect against diseases caused by oxidative stress. Includes species listed as a Federal Noxious Weed under the Plant Protection Act, which makes it illegal in the U.S. to import or transport between States without a permit. In the online application, participants will be required to answer questions that pertain directly to eligibility. Our research suggests that the rapid expansion and persistence of cogongrass during the last century may be due to a combination of introduced diversity, the number and timing of individuals introduced, multiple reintroductions and reproductive flexibility in response to different environmental conditions, said Lucardi. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Citation Neni Anggraeni et al 2019 J. Cogongrass in Mississippi. A lock ( LockLocked padlock icon ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Ideally, burning should take place in the summer. Do not mow through or near the area that has cogongrass, especially if it is flowering, as this may aid in dispersing the seeds. Rhizomes. 1993. Substantial management efforts have been made to control infested areas, but cogongrass must not be allowed to spread into non-infested areas. Selective herbicide choices are limited; research is continuing in this area. Sellers. This practice also requires a one- to four-month regrowth period before herbicide treatment. The flowers are used in the treatment of haemorrhages, wounds etc. The leaves are very stiff and can cut the mouths and damage the teeth of wildlife that attempt to ingest it. Okoli, T.A. The leaves originate directly from ground level and range from one to four feet in length. Species during the 1930s and 1940s, the leaves will turn light brown during winter and! 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