Japanese Stiltgrass Biological Control
Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is an invasive grass that poses a major threat to native biodiversity and restoration efforts in invaded areas.
Japanese stiltgrass biological control. It is a. Microstegium vimineum commonly known as japanese stiltgrass packing grass or nepalese browntop is an annual grass that is common in a wide variety of habitats and is well adapted to low light levels. Biological no biological controls are currently available for this plant. Japanese stiltgrass is an annual grass with all plants dying each fall.
It is currently being evaluated for use as a biological control agent. Monitoring a managed site free of stiltgrass for the three to five years after treatment may be essential to deplete the seedbank completely. Biology japanese stiltgrass is a summer annual similar to crabgrass but usually germinates two or more weeks earlier than crabgrass. Despite being non native in the united states it serves as a host plant for some native satyr butterflies such as the carolina satyr hermeuptychia sosybius and the endangered mitchell s.
Although biological control agents are not currently available a fungus belonging to the bipolaris genus is known to cause varying levels of necrotic lesions and blight to its leaves. Preliminary research suggests that there may be potential biological control agents that can be used in a classical biological control program in the united states. Mike mcgrath shares tips and tricks to getting rid of those pesky weeds in your lawn without all the fire and fury. Japanese stiltgrass may be driving you crazy but don t go for the torch just yet.
However in 2009 a leaf blight fungal disease bipolaris sp was found on stiltgrass populations in west virginia. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is bright green with a distinctive silvery stripe of reflective hairs along the midrib of each narrow lance shaped blade the leaves are one to three inches long and alternately arranged on a branched stalk resembling a smaller more delicate version of bamboo. To date no biological control methods have been effectively used to control japanese stiltgrass. This article displays images to assist with identification and provides recommendations for control including a management calendar and treatment and timing table.
Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is an invasive grass that poses a major threat to native biodiversity and restoration efforts in invaded areas. Preliminary research suggests that there may be potential biological control agents that can be used in a classical biological control program in the united states. A variety of control methods are available for stiltgrass depending on the extent of the infestation the type of habitat and. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is an invasive annual grass.