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Researc h Paper 
INT-341 


May 1985 


Effects of Bifenox, 
DCPA, and 
Napropamide on 
Ectomycorrhizal 
Development of 
Conifer Seedlings in 
Central and Northern 
Rocky Mountain 
Nurseries 


Alan E. Harvey 
Russell A. Ryker 
Martin F. Jurgensen 


Mie Resbe hale 
sGNN9 tree -t¢ [MMs 


THE AUTHORS 


ALAN E. HARVEY, principal plant pathologist, is Pro- 
ject Leader of the Silviculture of Cedar, Hemlock, 
Grand Fir, and Douglas-fir Ecosystems and Forest Tree 
Diseases of the Northern Rocky Mountains research 
work unit at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory, 
Moscow, ID. Dr. Harvey received a B.S. degree in biol- 
ogy (1960), anM.S. degree in plant pathology (1962), a 
Ph.D. degree in plant pathology (1968), and an aca- 
demic year of postgraduate work in plant pathology 
(1972). He joined the Intermountain Station in 1965. 


RUSSELL A. RYKER, principal silviculturist, is Project 
Leader of the Ecology and Silviculture of Rocky Moun- 
tain Douglas-fir and Ponderosa Pine Ecosystems 
research work unit at the Forestry Sciences Labora- 
tory, Boise, ID. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees in 
forestry from the University of Missouri and conducted 
research in the silviculture of hardwoods for the North 
Central Experiment Station prior to joining the Inter- 
mountain Station in 1963. 


MARTIN F. JURGENSEN, professor of forest soils, 
teaches and conducts research in forest soils-soils 
microbiology. He earned a B.S. degree in forestry 
(1961), an M.S. degree in silviculture (1965), and a Ph.D. 
degree in soil science (1967). He has held positions of 
research associate and assistant professor at North 
Carolina State University. He is currently with the 
Department of Forestry, Michigan Technological 
University, Houghton, MI. 


RESEARCH SUMMARY 


Postseeding and postgermination treatments with 
three weed control herbicides (Bifenox, DCPA, 
Napropamide) at two rates of application caused little 
reduction of ectomycorrhizal development on 1- and 
2-year-old conifer seedlings in Central or Northern 
Rocky Mountain nurseries. In many cases, herbicide 
treatment increased ectomycorrhizal development, 
particularly with DCPA. In general, herbicide treatment 
effects on ectomycorrhizal development were species 
and nursery specific. 


The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this 
publication is for the information and convenience of 
the reader. Such use does not constitute an official 
endorsement or approval by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture of any product or service to the exclusion 
of others which may be Suitable. 


Effects of Bifenox, DCPA, and 
Napropamide on 
Ectomycorrhizal Development 
of Conifer Seedlings in Central 
and Northern Rocky Mountain 


Nurseries 


Alan E. Harvey 
Russell A. Ryker 
Martin F. Jurgensen 


INTRODUCTION 


Herbaceous weeds are a major problem in Central and 
Northern Rocky Mountain forest tree nurseries. Weed 
competition, when uncontrolled, seriously reduces 
survival and growth of tree seedlings. Weed control 
practices most often used are fumigation and costly 
hand or mechanical removal. Hand or mechanical weed- 
ing is slow, often unsatisfactory, and increasingly expen- 
sive. Soil fumigation is highly effective in reducing the 
number of viable seeds in the soil but does not prevent 
reinvasion from nearby areas. Thus, herbicides are 
attractive as an economical means of reducing weed 
competition. 

Several years of testing pregermination and early post- 
germination herbicides have shown that several may be 
useful for weed control in Central and Northern Rocky 
Mountain nurseries (Ryker 1981). Among these, the 
herbicides Bifenox (Mobil trade name Modown) [methyl 
5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) -2-nitrobenzoate], DCPA (Diamond 
Shamrock trade name Dacthal) [dimethyltetrachloro- 
terepthalate], and Napropamide (Stauffer trade name 
Devrinol) [2-(a-naphthoxyl)-N, N-diethylpropionamide] 
have the potential to reduce hand weeding time by 75 to 
95 percent, depending on weed density (Ryker 1981). 

Good ectomycorrhizal development is closely related to 
the ability of conifer seedlings to grow in nursery soils 
(Trappe and Strand 1969), to survive on harsh sites 
(Marx 1976), and to successfully afforest or reforest soils 
lacking in ectomycorrhizal inoculum (Meyer 1973). Some 
herbicides are reported to reduce growth or development 
of ectomycorrhizal fungi (Iloba 1974, 1976; Dasilva and 
others 1977) and to reduce populations of other soil 
microorganisms (Greaves and others 1976; Ogawa and 
Yambe 1980). It is possible that herbicides may reduce 
ectomycorrhizal development on seedlings in treated 
nurseries, thereby reducing seedling quality. Information 
on the effects of the above-named three herbicides on 


ectomycorrhizal development of seedlings in nurseries is 
lacking and is needed before the herbicides can be 
approved. This report documents these effects in major 
forest nurseries of the Central and Northern Rocky 
Mountains. 


MATERIALS AND METHODS 
Nursery Locations 


The nursery locations represented major conifer- 
producing nurseries in the Central and Northern Rocky 
Mountains. These included the U.S. Forest Service nurs- 
eries at Coeur d’Alene, ID; Boise, ID (Lucky Peak); 
Albuquerque, NM; Carbondale, CO (Mt. Sopris); the 
Montana State Nursery at Missoula, MT; and the pri- 
vately owned Mountain Home Nursery at DeBorgia, MT. 


Experimental Design 


The basic experimental design was a randomized block 
that included the herbicide treatments listed in table 1, 
and the following seedling species: Austrian pine (Pinus 
nigra Arnold) (AP), blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) 
(BS), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) 
(DF), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex 
Engelm.) (ES), grand fir (Abies grandis [Doug]. ex D. 
Don] Lindl.) (GF), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. 
ex Loud.) (LPP), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. 
ex Laws.) (PP), and western larch (Larix occidentalis 
Nutt.) (WL). Not all species were tested in all locations, 
but only those normally produced at the respective nurs- 
ery. The herbicide treatment/species combinations tested 
at the respective nurseries are shown in tables 3, 4, and 
5 in the results section. Each combination, including the 
untreated control, was represented by three replicate 
plots. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and 
Duncan’s Multiple Range tests, considering treatment 
effects and interactions only. 


Table 1.—Description of herbicide treatments tested for effects on ectomycorrhizal 
development of conifer seedlings at major forest nurseries in the Central 


and Northern Rocky Mountains 


Formulation 


Herbicide (trade name) Rate of active ingredient 
Lb/acre (kg/ha) 
Bifenox Modown 80% WP! 3 and 6 (3.4 and 6.7) 
3 and 6 (3.4 and 6.7) 
3 + 3 (3.4 + 3.4) 
DCPA Dacthal, 75% WP 10.5 and 21 (11.8 and 23.5) 


10.5 and 21 (11.8 and 23.5) 


10.5 + 10.5 (11.8 + 11.8) 


Napropamide Devrinol, 50% WP 3 and 6 (3.4 and 6.7) 
3 and 6 (3.4 and 6.7) 
3 + 3(3.4 + 3.4) 


Control No treatment 0 


Timing 


Postseeding 
Postgermination 
Postseeding plus 
postgermination 
Postseeding 
Postgermination 
Postseeding plus 
postgermination 
Postseeding 
Postgermination 
Postseeding plus 
posigermination 


‘WP is wettable powder formulation; total active ingredient is based on the manufacturer's 


recommendation. 


Field Procedures 


Each plot was bed-wide 4 ft by 3 ft (1.2 m by 0.9 m) 
along the bed. Each herbicide was applied at two rates 
(1X, at recommended rate and 2X, at twice the recom- 
mended rate), and at two times (postseeding, postgermi- 
nation of tree seed). In addition, we tested the multiple 
applications of a 1X postseeding spray followed by a 1X 
postgermination spray. Herbicides were applied with a 
pressurized sprayer in a water carrier at a volume 
equivalent to 85 gal/acre (100 mL/plot). Postsowing 
treatments were applied within 2 days after sowing; 
postgermination sprays were applied 28 to 35 days after 
seedling emergence. Emergence is defined as the time 
when most seedlings had shed their seed coats. Five 
herbicide treatments plus a control were represented for 
each herbicide. A total of 155 treatment combinations 
(465 plots) were evaluated for ectomycorrhizal develop- 
ment. Other details on the herbicide treatments are 
available in Ryker (1981). 


Sampling Procedures 


Thirteen to 15 adjacent seedlings representing each 
plot were lifted in June 1979 (planted April-May 1978, 
except at Montana where beds were sown in fall 1977). 
Seedlings were lifted carefully with a digging fork to 
avoid root loss and damage. In all cases sample seed- 
lings were adjacent, located two rows from the edge, and 
well away from the end of the plot. Use of adjacent seed- 
lings (seedling groups) minimized damage to the plots, 
which were also used for phytotoxicity and weed-control 
evaluations and standardized general sample location to 
avoid border effects. Within these confines, the exact 
positioning of the seedling group was random. Seedling 
rows were uniform except for occasional missing 
individuals. All seedlings were placed directly into a 
plastic bag, with no attempt to separate or clean roots 


on the site. Plastic bags were put on ice or refrigerated 
at 34 °F (1 °C) for transport to and storage at the 
laboratory location. All evaluations were completed 
within 90 days. 


Ectomycorrhizal evaluation procedures.— All ectomycor- 
rhizal evaluations were done with no foreknowledge of 
plot treatments by three examiners working at least two 
at a time. Root systems from each of 10 seedlings ran- 
domly selected from each plot sample were carefully 
separated and washed in running water prior to exami- 
nation. Spot checks on loss of small roots caused by 
washing indicated such losses were small. Three types of 
root evaluations were made for each seedling: (1) The 
total root system was scanned and percentage of 
ectomycorrhizal roots was estimated to the nearest 10 
percent. (2) Excised from each seedling were 10-cm seg- 
ments of major lateral roots (accumulative if necessary) 
from the uppermost root system and from the lowermost 
part of the root system. In each case, the 10-cm seg- 
ments were cut to include just the first short root 
nearest the originating major root and to just exclude 
the last short root. Total number of ectomycorrhizal 
short roots were counted and recorded separately for the 
upper and lower 10-cm lengths. (3) Each ectomycorrhizal 
short root was categorized into an arbitrary morphologi- 
cal type based on external appearance (color, branching 
habit, etc.). In cases of doubt, thin sections of short 
roots were examined microscopically to determine if a 
Hartig net and mantle were present. 


Soil Properties 


Because of the wide variation in the soils at some of 
-the nurseries, basic properties (soil type, physical 
makeup, pH, CEC, and organic matter content) were 
determined for the study site at each nursery (Ryker 
1981). 


RESULTS 


Initial results comparing numbers of ectomycorrhizal 
short roots on shallow, as opposed to deep, lateral roots 
indicated no significant differences between treatments. 
Significantly more short roots occurred on the shallow 
laterals than on the deep. We therefore discontinued use 
of deep lateral roots in the evaluation process and pres- 
ent only results using surface lateral roots. 

Differences between treatments were small, usually 
sporadic, and nearly balanced—there were almost as 
many cases where ectomycorrhizal short roots were more 
numerous on treated seedlings than on untreated seed- 
lings as there were cases where they were fewer (tables 
2, 3, 4). Across the various nurseries no consistent 
patterns of effects emerged between specific herbicides, 


significant interactions within a nursery occurred 
between all three variables at one location or another 
(table 5). 

Although differences were small, the most consistent 
related changes were slight reductions in numbers of 
ectomycorrhizal short roots on Douglas-fir seedlings 
treated with all three herbicides at the Montana State 
Nursery, Douglas-fir seedlings treated with Bifenox at 
the Forest Service nursery at Coeur d’Alene, and slight 
increases in ectomycorrhizal short roots on lodgepole 
pine seedlings treated with Bifenox and DCPA at the 
Forest Service, Lucky Peak nursery (tables 3, 4, 5). 
Statistical comparisons based on differences in percent- 
age of ectomycorrhizal short roots were almost identical 
to those based on actual numbers as seen in tables 2, 3, 


species, or treatments. Considering all nurseries, cases of and 4. Therefore, these data have not been presented. 


Table 2.—Comparisons of herbicide treatments by mean numbers of ectomycorrhizal short roots (cm) on 10-cm segments of main lateral 
seedling root, based on 30 samples for each treatment 


Nursery 


Coeur d’Alene Albuquerque 


Ponderosa pine Engelmann spruce Douglas-fir Grand fir Western larch Ponderosa pine 
Treatment x 0 x 0 x a x 0 x 0 x 0 
Control (no herbicide) 38.0 9.0 40.6 12.6 30.9 7.4 24.2 ALS 22.0 4.5 42.6 14.6 
Bifenox 
Bif. 1x1, PS2 + PG$ 37.3a4 9.8 —5 — 23.9a**& 5.8 28.4a 8.2 — — 38.1a 13.7 
Bit >4-PS 46.8b* * 11.6 — — 24.6a** 6.6 26.5a 7.5 — _ 45.2a 10.7 
Bif. 1x, PG 40.7a 11.6 — _ 26.6b ** 6.4 29.3a 9,9 —_ _ 46.9b 16.1 
Bif. 2x, PS 42.9a 11.4 a — 22.6a** 4.9 32.1a 8.5 = — 43.5a 8.8 
Bif. 2x, PG 45.5b** 9.6 os = 30.0b 6.4 27.7a LA — = 40.6a 13.6 
DCPA 
DCPA 1x, PS + PG _— — 36.2a 9.8 _ — — — 23.6a 12.8 45.1a 10.0 
DCPA 1x, PS = — 47.6b** 8.9 _ - = — 21.4a 12.1 44.6a 1541 
DCPA 1x, PG — — 37.4a 11.0 — _ _ — 24.1a 13:1 47.1a 8.9 
DCPA 2x, PS a _ 44.8b 11.6 _ _ aoa —_— 18.5a 5:3 49.6b** 12.4 
DCPA 2x, PG — 41.9a 8.4 — _ o _— 21.1a 3.8 41.8a 13.8 
Napropamide 
Nap. 1x, PS + PG 3i:2a** 8.9 37.8a 9.5 25.0a** Gif 27.2a 9.9 — _ 47.9a 9.1 
Nap. 1x, PS 36.0a 11.7 38.8a 15.4 26.9a 7.8 25.1a 7.6 _ — 42.8a 15:7 
Nap. 1x, PG 42.0b 9.1 36.3a 12.9 27.9a 8.7 26.6a 14.4 -- _- 34.1b** 11.1 
Nap. 2x, PS 32.9a 9.6 32:3a** 112.1 27.9a 7.3 32.2a 16.7 = _— 38.6b 15:4 
Nap. 2x, PG 32.5a Cal 34.1a 9.8 30.4b 5.1 27.0a 8.9 a — 45.3a 10.4 


‘1x = applied concentration according to manufacturer’s recommendation, 2x = double concentration, for actual concentration of active ingredient (see 
table 1). 

2PS = immediately postseeding. 

3PG = postgermination, usually 4 to 5 weeks after seedling emergence. 

“Treatments within a single herbicide group and species (down column) that do not share a common subscript letter are significantly different to at least 
a = 0.05 level, Duncan’s multiple range test. 

‘Dash indicates this combination not tested. 

Gast treatment differs from appropriate control (head of column) to at least a = 0.01 level, Duncan’s multiple range test. 


Table 3.—Comparisons of herbicide treatments by mean numbers of ectomycorrhizal short roots (cm) on 10-cm 
segments of main lateral seedling root, based on 30 samples for each treatment ; 


Nursery 


Mount Sopris Lucky Peak 
Ponderosa pine Lodgepole pine Engelmann spruce _ Ponderosa pine Lodgepole pine 

Treatment x to x to x o x o x G 
Control (no herbicide) 37.6 (al 35.7 6.5 48.7 8.9 35.5 6.3 36.1 7.1 

Bifenox 
BifsiscPS2?= PG? 3 70a! 9.8 34.9a 6.5 —s = 38.6a 5.8 43.1a""& 8.4 
Bif. 1x, PS 31.4a 13 33.0a 6.8 _ — 38.6a 8.6 39.6a 7.0 
Bif. 1x, PG 35.2a 9.9 36.3a 59 — — 39.0a 48 41.6a"~* 8.9 
Bif. 2x, PS 38.0a 7.7 35.1a 7.0 — — 33.5a 6.7 41.2a7* 7.4 
Bif. 2x, PG 33.9a 9.9 31.2b;% 355 _ — 37.6a 6.9 45.9a"" 9. 

DCPA 
DGPA 1x,PS + PG — — = — — — 35.6a 6.3 43.8a"* Wee: 
DCPA 1x, PS — — — — = = 37.7a 6.5 38.2b 5.8 
DCPA 1x, PG — — — — — — 38.2a 6.1 38.3b 7.8 
DCPA 2x, PS — = = = — = 38.8a 9.1 41.0b**— 9:7 
DCPA 2x, PG = — _ — — = 37.6a 8.1 44 8a" 8.5 

Napropamide 
Nap. 1x, PS + PG 35.2a 9.9 35.4a 15 43.3a 6.9 = _ = 
Nap. 1x, PS 33.7a 8.1 37.4a 9.3 43.6a 9.0 — _ — = 
Nap. 1x, PG 37.0a 7.6 35.7a 7.2 45.6a 11.4 — — — _ 
Nap. 2x, PS 37.5a 12.4 33.1b 7.3 45.2a 8.2 = — — = 
Nap. 2x, PG 34.2a 6.5 34.3a 6.4 46.1a 9.4 = _ — = 


11x = applied concentration according to manufacturer's recommendation, 2x = double concentration, for actual concentration of 
active ingredient (see table 1). 

2PS = immediately postseeding. 

3PG = posigermination, usually 4 to 5 weeks after seedling emergence. 

“Treatments within a single herbicide group and species (down column) that do not share a common subscript letter are signifi- 
cantly different to at least 2 = 0.05 level, Duncan’s multiple range test. 

5Dash indicates this combination not tested. 

6-- — treatment differs from appropriate control (head of column) to at least a = 0.01 level, Duncan’s multiple range test. 

7 — treatment differs from appropriate control (head of column) to at least a2 = 0.05 level, Duncan’s multiple range test. 


Table 4.—Comparison of herbicide treatments by mean numbers of ectomycorrhizal short roots (cm) on 10-cm 
segments of main lateral roots, based on 30 samples for each treatment 


Nursery 
Mountain Home Montana State 
Lodgepole pine Blue spruce Austrian pine Ponderosa pine Douglas-fir 

Treatment x 0 x 0 x oO x oO x Oo 
Control (no herbicide) 45.1 8.5 55.1 11.4 59.9 fal 34.3 6.8 28.3 7.7 

Bifenox 
Bif. 1x1, PS2 + PG$ 41.6a4 7.9 57.9a 11.0 58.1a 7.9 37.1a 10.1 19.0a**® 3.6 
Bif.. 1x,.PS 40.3a 6.4 58.0a 11.7 61.5a 8.1 38.4a 8.8 18.8a** 3.7 
Bif. 1x, PG 42.3a het 58.9a 14.5 61.9a 9.0 38.9a 10.0 21.4a** 3.8 
Bif. 2x, PS 35:8b*" 11.6 55.9a 11.8 61.0a 9.8 33.6a 7.1 23.8b** 5.4 
Bif. 2x, PG 41.2a 6.5 64.4b** 11.6 60.8a 9.7 36.0a 8.1 16.36%" 18:5 

DCPA 
DCPA 1x, PS + PG 47.5a 7.3 52.2a 11.3 56.5a 7.6 33.0a 13.6 21.8a** 6.2 
DCPA ix, PS 42.1b 8.3 57.3a 10.9 62.9a 9.3 35.2b 7.8 21.9a** 6.4 
DCPA 1x, PG 36.6c ** 12.4 52.1a 12.9 59.4a 9.9 35.2b 6.9 21.0a** 5.3 
DCPA 2x, PS 46.0a 8.3 57.6a 12.2 60.5a 8.1 41.3c*/ 125 19.1b** 4.7 
DCPA 2x, PG 43.6b 8.7 55.7a 11.6 63.3a 12.1 38.6b 7.8 19.5b** 3.2 

Napropamide : 
Nap.1x, PS + PG —5 — — — — — 37.8a 9.0 20.5a** 3.6 
Nap. 1x, PS —_— - — — a — 38.3a 8.9 24.1b** 4.5 
Nap. 1x, PG _ = — = — — 34.1a el 23.4a** 7.0 
Nap. 2x, PS _ a — a _ — 36.4a CT 20.7a** 5.3 
Nap. 2x, PG — — _ — a — 35.1a 8.0 20.6a** 4.4 


11x = applied concentration according to manufacturer's recommendation, 2x = double concentration, for actual concentra- 
tion of active ingredient (see table 1). 

2PS = immediately postseeding. 

3PG = postgermination, usually 4 to 5 weeks after seedling emergence. 

‘Treatments within a single herbicide group and species (down column) that do not share a common subscript letter are signifi- 
cantly different to at least a = 0.05 level, Duncan’s multiple range test. 

5Dash indicates this combination not tested. 

6** — treatment differs from appropriate control (head of column) to at least a = 0.01 level, Duncan's multiple range test. 

7* — treatment differs from appropriate control (head of column) to at least a = 0.05 level, Duncan’s multiple range test. 


Table 5.—Overall interactions between sources of variation and numbers of ectomycorrhizal short roots (cm) 


Nursery 
Mount Lucky Mountain Montana 
Source of variation Coeur d’Alene Albuquerque Sopris Peak Home State 
Within individual source 
Species alia <2 +3 rn 
Herbicide ae ‘ NS4 NS NS NS 
Rate - : NS NS * NS NS 
Two-way interactions 
Species x herbicide - — _— NS “ NS 
Species x rate _ ‘ oo . . NS 
Herbicide x rate — a — NS ao NS 
Three-way interactions 
Species x herbicide x rate -— _ _ NS NS 


'**Interaction significant, a = 0.01, ANOVA. 

*Dash indicates combination not tested in experimental design. 
3*Interaction significant, a = 0.05, ANOVA. 

4NS interaction not significant. 


Table 6.—Properties of soils at respective nurseries 


Cation 

Particle size distribution exchange Organic 
Nursery Soil Type Sand Silt Clay ph capacity matter 

—-=---- Percent ------- meq/100g__—s*wPercent 
Montana State Sandy loam 57 30 13 6.9 11.76 2.7 
Mountain Home Loam 40 50 10 5.6 13.67 4.5 
Coeur d’Alene Sandy loam 71 21 8 6.1 6.17 Sal 
Lucky Peak Sandy loam 61 26 13 5.8 7.44 sts 
Mt. Sopris Sandy loam 55 29 16 6.0 9.87 3.3 
Albuquerque Sandy loam 73 20 7 7.4 5.98 4 


Color and morphology of ectomycorrhizal short roots 
and other aspects of root structure were similar on the 
species examined at the respective locations within the 
limits of variation of sample seedlings. As would be 
expected, differences occurred in root structure and num- 
bers of ectomycorrhizal short roots on seedlings from 
different nurseries. Since these differences were not 
related to the treatments of interest, they were not con- 
sidered in the analysis. Table 6 documents general soil 
characteristics at each nursery. 


DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 


The lack of strong, consistent relationships between 
herbicide treatment and numbers of ectomycorrhizal 
short roots indicate a relatively unpredictable risk factor 
associated with these herbicides and ectomycorrhizal de- 
velopment. The strong relationships within nurseries, 
both positive and negative, between herbicide-treated 
seedlings of particular species and numbers of 
ectomycorrhizal short roots clearly demonstrate highly 
individualistic responses. Soil differences between nurser- 
ies may contribute to individualistic responses and were 
likely responsible, at least in part, for between-nursery 
differences in mycorrhization. However, with regard to 
mycorrhizae and herbicides, the soil characteristics we 
measured showed no unusual differences at nurseries 
where stronger relationships were observed. Accordingly, 


each combination of herbicide, seedling species, and 
nursery should be evaluated for possible negative effects. 

With the three herbicides investigated here, the most 
dramatic reductions were from herbicide treatments on 
Douglas-fir at the Montana State Nursery, which aver- 
aged 32 percent. This reduction is probably not enough 
to cause substantial losses in seedling quality. It does 
suggest that Douglas-fir may be a sensitive species. The 
bases for such individualistic responses at a particular 
nursery are not clear. Because of the lack of explanation, 
due caution should be exercised with all herbicides. 

The lack of strong herbicide-induced reductions and 
frequent increases in ectomycorrhizal development agree 
with other experiences (Trappe 1979, 1983; South and 
Kelley 1972; Ogawa and Yambe 1980; Palmer and others 
1980; Greaves and others 1976; Iloba 1974, 1976, 1977; 
Uhlig 1966). Thus, use of these herbicides for nursery 
weed control in Central and Northern Rocky Mountain 
nurseries does not appear to pose high risks to 
ectomycorrhizal development. The combinations and timing 
of application tested here could be used in all cases, but 
with reservations on Douglas-fir. All herbicides and ap- 
plication procedures should be used on this species only 
with great caution, particularly at the Montana State 
and Coeur d’Alene nurseries. Even in relatively risky 
combinations, herbicide use should not be precluded if 
growth or outplanting performance of seedlings do not 
suffer. 


REFERENCES 


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1977. 

Greaves, M. P.; Davies, H. G.; Marsh, K. G. P.; 
Wingfield, G. I. Herbicides and soil microorganisms. 
C.R.C. Crit. Rev. Microbiol. 5: 1-38; 1976. 

Iloba, C. Aspect of herbicidal effects on the ectosymbi- 
otic microorganism of forest plants. European J. For. 
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Iloba, C. The effects of some herbicides on the develop- 
ment of ectotrophic mycorrhiza of Pinus sylvestris L. 
European J. For. Pathol. 6: 312-318; 1976. 

lloba, C. The effect of trifluralin on the formation of 
ectotrophic mycorrhizae in some pine species. I. Toxic- 
ity to mycorrhiza forming fungi. European J. For. 
Pathol. 7: 47-51; 1977. 

Marx, D. H. Use of specific mycorrhizal fungi on tree 
roots for forestation on disturbed lands. In: Utz, Keith 
A., ed. Proceedings, conference on forestation of dis- 
turbed surface areas; 1976 April 14-15; Birmingham, 
AL. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Southeast- 
ern Area; 1976: 47-65. 

Meyer, F. H. Distribution of ectomycorrhizae in native 
and man-made forests. In: Marks, G. C.; Kozlowski, T. 
T., eds. Ectomycorrhizae—their ecology and physiol- 
ogy. New York: Academic Press; 1973: 79-105. 


Ogawa, M.; Yambe, Y. Effects of herbicides on mycorrhi- 


zae of Pinus densiflora and soil microorganisms. Bulle- 
tin No. 311. Ibaraki, Japan: Forestry and Forest 
Products Research Institute; 1980. 102 p. 


7 


*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 


Palmer, J. G., Sr.; Kuntz, J. E.; Palmer, J. G., Jr.; 
Camp, R. F. Mycorrhizal development on red pine in 
nursery beds treated with an herbicide. Forestry 
Research Note No. 240. Madison, WI: University of 
Wisconsin; 1980. 5 p. 

Ryker, R. A. Evaluation of herbicides for weed control in 
Rocky Mountain-Great Basin nurseries. In: Proceed- 
ings of Intermountain Nurseryman’s Association and 
Western Forest Nursery Association combined meet- 
ing; 1980 August 12-14; Boise, ID. General Technical 
Report INT-109. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and 
Range Experiment Station; 1981: 22-28. 

South, D. B.; Kelley, W. D. The effect of selected pesti- 
cides on short root development of greenhouse-grown 
Pinus taeda seedlings. Can. J. For. Res. 12: 29-35; 
1982. 

Trappe, J. M. Effects of three herbicides on mycorrhizal 
development of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine seed- 
lings in western nurseries. Corvallis, OR: U.S. Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest 
Forest and Range Experiment Station; 1979. Unpub- 
lished progress report. 

Trappe, J. M. Effects of herbicide Bifenox, DCPA, and 
Napropamide on mycorrhiza development of ponderosa 
pine and Douglas-fir seedlings in six western nurseries. 
For. Sci. 29: 464-468; 1983. 

Trappe, J. M.; Strand, R. F. Mycorrhizal deficiency in a 
Douglas-fir region nursery. For. Sci. 15: 381-389; 1969. 

Uhlig, S. K. Untersuchungen uber die Wechsclwirkung 
zwischen Chlor-bis-"athyl-amino-s-triazin (Simazin) und 
mycorrhizabildenden pilzen. Wiss. Z. Techn. University 
Dresden. 15: 639-61; 1966. 


1985-0-576-040/10539 


oe 
zs 


Harvey, Alan E.; Ryker, Russell A.; Jurgensen, Martin F. Effects of Bifenox, 
DCPA, and Napropamide on ectomycorrhizal development of conifer seedlings 
in Central and Northern Rocky Mountain Nurseries. Research Paper INT-341. 
Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Re- 
search Station; 1985. 7 p. 


Postseeding and postgermination treatments with three weed control herbi- 
cides (Bifenox, DCPA, Napropamide) at two rates of application caused little 
reduction of ectomycorrhizal development on 1- and 2-year-old conifer seedlings 
in Central or Northern Rocky Mountain nurseries. In many cases, herbicide 
treatment increased ectomycorrhizal development, particularly with DCPA. In 
general, herbicide treatment effects on ectomycorrhizal development were spe- 
cies and nursery specific. 


KEYWORDS: weed control, herbicide, ectomycorrhizae, Modown, Dacthal, 
Devrinol, toxicity, nursery practice 


LATE IL ET EET EI EY 
PESTICIDE PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENT 


This publication reports research involving pesticides. It 
does not contain recommendations for their use, nor 
does it imply that the uses discussed here have been 
registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by 
appropriate State and/or Federal agencies before they 
can be recommended. 


CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, 
domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish or other 
wildlife—if they are not handled or applied properly. 
Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow 
recommended practices for the disposal of surplus 
pesticides and pesticide containers. 


he Pubes fell 


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 


The Intermountain Station, headquartered in Ogden, Utah, is one 
of eight regional experiment stations charged with providing scien- 
tific knowledge to help resource managers meet human needs and. 
protect forest and range ecosystems. 

The Intermountain Station includes the States of Montana, 
Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and western Wyoming. About 231 million 
acres, or 85 percent, of the land area in the Station territory are 
classified as forest and rangeland. These lands include grass- 
lands, deserts, shrublands, alpine areas, and well-stocked forests. 
They supply fiber for forest industries; minerals for energy and in- 
dustrial development; and water for domestic and industrial con- 
sumption. They also provide recreation opportunities for millions 
of visitors each year. 

Field programs and research work units of the Station are main- 
tained in: 


Boise, Idaho 


Bozeman, Montana (in cooperation with Montana State 
University) 


Logan, Utah (in cooperation with Utah State University) 


Missoula, Montana (in cooperation with the University 
of Montana) 


Moscow, Idaho (in cooperation with the University of 
Idaho) 


Provo, Utah (in cooperation with Brigham Young Univer- 
sity) 


Reno, Nevada (in cooperation with the University of 
Nevada)