Integrated Weed Management
University of California
Integrated Weed Management

Medusahead Research and Information

Susceptibility of Exotic Annual Grass Seeds to Fire  Invasive Plant Science and Management journal article.  The article looks at different intensity and timing of controlled burns to determine affect on seed survival.  Results showed no difference in timing of a burn as long as it is conducted before seed drop and when fuel load is high.

Control of Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) Using Timely Sheep Grazing Invasive Plant Science and Management journal article.  This study looked at timing of sheep grazing to control Medusahead.  Midspring (April/May) was the best time to graze and reduced Medusahead by 86-100%.  Early spring or fall grazing was not successful.

Control of Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and Other Annual Grasses with Imazapic  Weed Technology journal article.  Imazapic (Plateau) showed enhanced weed control when applied after disturbance (tillage, mowing and raking, or burning).  Rates as low as 1 oz/acre combined with thatch removal provided significant suppression of Medusahead.  Disturbance alone generally reduced medusahead cover in the following year.  Although imazapic showed potential for control of medusahead and other annual grasses, its selectivity window was relatively narrow.

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