The demise of tillage sparked the rise of dandelions.
The tap-rooted pest has become a problem for producers in regions where it was once found in pastures, alfalfa fields and roadside ditches.
The weed, formally known as taraxacum officinale, survives cursory cultivation by discers and usually succumbs only to a deeply set sweep followed by a rod weeder. The single taproot is vulnerable to steel control measures that cut well below the plants’ growing points.
It has a reputation for injuring the yields of forage crops such as alfalfa, but research indicates that it has a limited effect on yields and is highly palatable to livestock.
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Large populations can result in losses to perennial forage seed crops and are often cited as the cause for removal of alfalfa seed stands and reduced winter wheat and fall rye yields.
The plant reduces yields in most legume crops.
It is able to tolerate over-grazing and is capable of out-competing other pasture species when fields are pushed hard with larger than recommended livestock loads or where pasture fertilization doesn’t meet a crop’s needs.
Chemicals have proved effective in controlling dandelions, but timing of applications is critical to killing well-established weeds.
The plants can be effectively controlled with herbicides only when they are actively growing or when the plants are small. The best times to treat dandelions are early in the spring or in later fall.
Glyphosate is usually effective when applied as pre-harvest weed control ahead of grain and oilseed harvest. As well, 2,4-D and other products can be useful in early and late growing season applications.
Products improving the spring effectiveness of glyphosate, such as DuPont’s Express Pro and Heat from BASF, are useful in spring control strategies.
