Low-Impact, Selective Herbicide Application for Control of African Rue. A Preliminary Field Guide

摘要

African rue, Peganum harmala L., is a perennial desert shrub that belongs to the calthrop family (Zygophyllaceae). The plant is bright green, succulent, and grows to about a foot in height. Plants appear to be small bushes with many branching stems and narrow leaves. Flowers are white with five petals, and fruits grow as leathery capsules with 45-60 seeds. African rue is a native plant from northern Africa, through the Middle East, to Tibet in Asia. Prolonged overgrazing, periodic dryland farming, and removal of competing desert plants have allowed it to increase over its native range. The plant contains toxic alkaloids that are lethal to cattle and sheep, but poisoning is rare because the plant is extremely unpalatable. Young leaves and mature seeds are more toxic than other parts of the plant. When crushed leaves and stems have a disagreeable odor. The purpose to this preliminary field guide is to describe the new foliar spray method for African rue. As experience is gained, control recommendations with the herbicides could be modified.