Profitability of controlling high densities of brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) in buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) pastures is not well documented. The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Tronador® herbicide to control brittlebush and the benefit-cost relation associated with infestation reduction. Treatments were: Tronador® at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% in water, Tordon 101® 1.0% in water and the untreated check. The herbicide was applied to the foliage in 40 m2 plots during the summer of 2010 by using a back sprayer. Evaluated variables were: brush mortality, grass density, height, basal cover and forage production of buffelgrass and native grasses. A randomized complete block design was used with 6 treatments and 3 replications. All variables were analyzed by ANOVA. Financial runs were conducted by using a computer program for Project analysis and formulation. Tronador® herbicide controlled 20, 80, 100 and 100% of brittlebush at rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%, and Tordon 101® at 1% controlled 100% of plants. Neither native grasses nor buffelgrass plants were damaged by the herbicide. Buffelgrass density, height, basal cover and forage production was increased 28.8 to122.8% with herbicide application. Herbicide treated areas produced annually 1.3 tons of additional dry forage per hectare. Mean annual income during the projected 14 years was $241.6 and $597.6 pesos/ha in a ranch without and with the application of Tronador® at 1.5% as brush control practices, respectively. A producer with a brittlebush invasion problem which applies these herbicide for vegetation control may gain additionally $356.00 pesos/ha, annually.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.