Investigation on germination biology and chemical control of mesquite [Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) Mac.]

Mesquite [Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) Mac.] is perennial weed species which is problematic in non-irrigated fields, pastures, historical sites, railways, airports and highways. This study was done to determine germination biology of Mesquite and effective chemical management between 2009 and 2010. In germination biology studies conducted in laboratory conditions, different methods of breaking dormancy (pre-heating, pre-cooling, H2SO4, KNO3, soaking in distilled water, cutting, grinding) were applied to seeds of Mesquite in three different temperatures (20, 25, 30 °C). Among these methods, cutting, H2SO4 and KNO3 applications at 30 °C ve 35 °C were observed as more effective. The best germination temperature for seeds of Mesquite was found as 30 °C. Field trials on chemical control of Mesquite were done two different locations. Four different forms of glyphosate (glyphosate diamonium salt 424 g/l (600 cc/da ? 1000 cc/da), glyphosate potassium salt 441 g/l (600 cc/da ? 1000 cc/da), glyphosate isopropylamine salt 607 g/l (450 cc/da -750 cc/da), glyphosate isopropylamine salt 480 g/l (600 cc/da ? 1000 cc/da) and 2,4-D (200 cc/da) were used at the experiments. Selected herbicides except 2,4-D were applied at two different doses. According to periodic observations and collected data after herbicide applications; glyphosate isopropylamine salt (750 cc/da), glyphosate diamonium salt (1000 cc/da), glyphosate potassium salt (1000 cc/da) and 2,4-D (200 cc/da) were found as more effective.