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Melilotus

For those concerned with Melilotus:
     I have been "attacking" Melilotus alba and officinalis (White and
Yellow Sweet Clover, respectively) for 7 years on my 20 acre prairie
restoration (and/or reconstruction) project in south central Michigan.  In
my opinion, this species is by far the MOST tenacious and difficult (to
eliminate) alien in the mid-west native grassland ecosystem!!!!
(fortunately, I have not yet had any experience with James Trager's
"prairie kudsu", which may be the worst of all)
There are 2 reasons why I use the superlative "most", i.e., 1) 7 years of
experience on my own land, dealing with 6 other well known grassland aliens
and
2), most importantly, direct observation of 2 superb and well-known long
term native grassland reconstruction projects (> 25 years) in the state of
Illinois (I prefer not to name these sites) in which Melilotus is still a
substantial problem despite much effort to control these species.
    My approach to the control of Melilotus after much experimentation
(burning, mowing, etc.) is, and has been, the following.  I share this with
you because it is clear that I am now "winning the war" against this alien;
for the past 4 years, it is clear that this alien has been reduced in
quantity substantially in my grassland. In addition, it is germane to point
out that this success has been accomplished without the luxury of
volunteers, I have accomplished such soley by myself (and with substantial
perseverance and tenacity).  My approach to this problem is simple, i.e., I
spot spray this species with a broad-leaf herbicide just prior to (or soon
after) the stage of flowering.  It is extremely important not to allow any
successful seed production by this species throughout the entire grassland
(in my case, 20 acres).  The spot spraying begins very early in the growing
season and continues throughout the entire growing season.  After much
experimentation, I now prefer the herbicide Mec Amine-D (Platte Chemical
Co., Nebraska) at a dose of 6 tablespoons per gallon of water (superior to
2,4-D).  Without fail, this treatment kills each plant (Melilotus) that it
contacts.  To kill this species in native grassland plots that have had a
minimum of one growing season and have a substantial amount of Melilotus
(spot spraying would not be appropriate), I spray with a tractor boom at a
rate of 2 quarts of this herbicide per 25 gallons of water (covers 1 acre).
Such treatments MUST be continued until there is no evidence of this
species (spot spraying may have to be continued annually for years, perhaps
indefinitely).
   Certainly this treatment is aggressive and non-specific, i.e., this
herbicide will kill virtually all broadleaf grassland plants that it
contacts.  But, I am convinced that this species must be controlled
aggressively; it will DOMINATE most, if not all, native grassland sites if
not carefully controlled.  I will NOT seed my grasslands with native forbs
until Melilotus is under control (reduced substantially, to the extent that
only a limited amount of spot spraying would be necessary).
    I hope that the above will be helpful, feel free to contact me if you
would like further information.
Cliff
(Clifford W. Welsch, Ph.D.)
(517-626-6996)


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