Responses of Vegetation and Deer Forage Following Application of Hexazinone

Abstract Vegetation responses were studied on a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantation that had received intensive mechanical site preparation and hexazinone (1 lb/ac a.i.) for herbaceous weed control. Vegetation on plots treated by a broadcast application of granular hexazinone (Pronone® 5G) was compared to vegetation on plots that received a banded (top of bed only) application of liquid hexazinone (Velpar® L). Total plant biomass was significantly greater (P < 0.10) on control plots (2,512 lb/ac, dry wt) than on broadcast (1,089 lb/ac) or banded plots (1,481 lb/ac) in September of the first growing season, but differences disappeared by the end of the second growing season. Total number of plant species on control plots (105) and banded-treated plots (97) was similar, but fewer plant species (60) were found on broadcast-treated plots the first year. At the end of the second growing season, the number of plant species was similar on all treatments. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)forage was significantly greater on control plots (1,481 lb/ac) than on broadcast (393 lb/ac) and banded plots (534 lb/ac) in September of the first year's growth, but there were no differences after the second growing season. Pine seedling survival was lower on herbicide treated plots, but seedling height and ground line diameter were greater on herbicide treated plots. South. J. Appl. For. 11(4):176-180.