Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Several herbicides were evaluated for control of white locoweed (Oxytropis sericea Nutt. T & G # OXRMA) and changes in botanical composition on two sites on high-elevation rangeland. White locoweed was more abundant and its population more stable on the rocky subalpine wind-swept ridge site than on the subalpine loam site. Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid) at 0.6 and 1.1 kg ae/ha, and 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] at 2.2 and 4.5 kg ae/ha eliminated white locoweed on the subalpine loam site, although the population on this site declined naturally. Clopyralid (3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid) was the most effective herbicide on the subalpine wind-swept site. Clopyralid at 0.3 and 0.6 kg ae/ha, dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) at 2.2 kg ae/ha, and 2,4-D at 1.1 kg ae/ha plus clopyralid or picloram at 0.3 kg/ha killed all white locoweed plants. Lower rates of clopyralid (0.1 kg/ha), dicamba (0.6 and 1.1 kg/ha), 2,4-D (2.2 and 4.5 kg/ha), and triclopyr {[(3,5,6-trichloro-2~pyridinyl)oxy] acetic aicid)} (0.6, 1.1, and 2.2 kg ae/ha) killed 45 to 84% of white locoweed plants. Grass cover increased on most treated areas where white locoweed, forbs, and sagebrush declined. Cattle consumption of white locoweed declined following application of 2,4-D.