Fountain Grass - Friend or Foe?
Agronomy & Pest Management
Anthony Ohmes
Field Specialist in Agronomy
University of Missouri Extension
Jackson
Abstract
Johnsongrass, sericea lespedeza, multiflora rose, and perilla mint are examples of plants introduced to Missouri for forage, erosion control, or as ornamentals that have become troublesome weeds for producers. In fall of 2016, a pasture field in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, had an unidentified grass that cattle would not graze. Working with University of Missouri (MU) State Weed Specialist and MU State Horticulture Specialist, the grass was identified as Chinese fountain grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides. This was the first reported site of this ornamental in a Missouri field. In the fall of 2016, I wrote an article for the Mid-America Farmer Grower magazine to raise awareness of this potentially invasive ornamental to farmers and ranchers. In collaboration with MU State Weed Specialist, an on-farm herbicide efficacy trial was conducted, in 2017, to help identify management options. Treatments included seven herbicides, mowing, and an untreated check. Fountain grass control data was collected at 4, 10 and 21 weeks after application. Results indicated that glyphosate was the only effective control. Mowing was not a viable management option due to the plant’s ability to produce seed close to the ground. In 2018 and 2019, a greenhouse study was conducted on seed viability after glyphosate treatments 1-month and 1-week before frost. Results indicated that glyphosate reduced germination to less than 1%, regardless of application timing. Subsequent educational efforts led to identification in four additional counties across southern Missouri. Ongoing educational efforts have included articles and presentations across the state. As of 2023, 10 Missouri counties have confirmed fields of fountain grass. This invasive species has also been identified along roadsides. In 2023, I was contacted by a University of Arkansas Extension agent about management options of fountain grass in northeast Arkansas pastures. With the increasing number of locations, a more robust research project will be conducted by the MU State Weed Specialist in 2024.
Authors: Anthony Ohmes, Kevin Bradley, David Trinklein
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Anthony Ohmes Field Specialist in Agronomy, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 63755
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Kevin Bradley State Extension Weed Scientist, University of Missouri, Missouri, 65211
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David Trinklein State Extension Specialist in Floriculture, University of Missouri, Missouri, 65211