Jane Mangold (MSU Extension Weed Specialist) has been getting quite a few calls about the efficacy of a bacteria used for cheatgrass control in rangeland. Below is an abbreviated version of the study and results.
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is one of the most widespread invasive plants in the western U.S. Because cheatgrass can form large infestations of hundreds to thousands of acres, often in remote and inaccessible locations, biological control is an attractive option. Various strains of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens (e.g. D7, ACK55, MB906) were proposed as bioherbicides because they were shown to inhibit cheatgrass growth in Petri-plate and growth chamber environments as well as some wheat fields in eastern Washington. The bioherbicide roots resulting in decreased seedling vigor, tillers, and seeds. Over two to three years, desired was to be applied during cold, wet weather in fall or winter, and it would colonize cheatgrass vegetation would outcompete cheatgrass. Replicated field trials testing efficacy of P. fluorescens bioherbicides were limited until now. The results of one such field trial are presented here.
In November-December 2014, P. fluorescens ACK55 was applied at 7 sites (6 in Montana, 1 in WY) to rangeland infested with cheatgrass or a combination of cheatgrass and Japanese brome (B. japonicus). Application methods followed guidelines for using P. flourescens as a bioherbicide. Plots were 5 by 5-meters, and each plot was paired with a non-treated control of the same size. Treatments were replicated 4 (2 sites) or 8 (5 sites) times. For four years following application (2015-2018), cover of cheatgrass and Japanese brome was recorded at each site.
There was no evidence that P. fluorescens ACK55 reduced cheatgrass at the 7 sites. At one of the sites in eastern Montana, treated plots had less cheatgrass than the non-treated control the
first (2015) and second (2016) year after treatment, however the effect did not persist in 2017 and 2018, suggesting observed differences in 2015 and 2016 were short-term or due to pre-treatment differences between plots. Read the entire paper at Reinhart et al. (2020).
Results from four additional field trials are now available in Rangeland Ecology and Management. In summary, those trials tested different strains of P. fluorescens at different application rates and methods and with/without herbicide. Study sites occurred in Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming. None of the studies found P. fluorescens to reduce cheatgrass abundance. Collectively, these studies suggest P. fluorescens is unlikely to be an effective bioherbicide for cheatgrass, at least as it is currently available.
Montana State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
