What’s new in rangeland herbicide? CSU Extension has the scoop

Innovative herbicides are rare on the range. Indaziflam is a new range/pasture herbicide owned by Bayer CropScience. It is sold in a concentrated formulation (trade name: Esplanade) as well as a diluted formulation (EsplanadeEZ). This herbicide is important because it selectively controls annual grasses, such as cheatgrass/downy brome, as well as many annual broadleaf plants, such as kocia and Russian thistle.  

Most native prairie grasses in North America are long-lived perennials, so this has significant implications on rangelands. As a group 14 herbicide, its mode of action is disrupting cell membranes, specifically cellulose biosynthesis. It also has a 180-day residence time, which is especially useful for seasonal control of annual species.  

As costs reduce, this herbicide is projected to have widespread application on rangelands, especially in the degraded “cheatgrass belt” of the Great Basin, as well on the Great Plains. It also presents exciting opportunities as a bare-ground treatment for industrial uses (i.e. Department of Transportation, utilities and railroads). These industries are a major vector for invasive species on rangelands.  
 

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