2009 annual report on the Oklahoma Department of Transportation herbicide program report

Abstract

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) uses an Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) program to provide aesthetically pleasing and erosion resistant vegetation in the safety zone of the roadside right of way. In its initial stage, the IVM program consists of selection of the proper vegetation to install followed by suitable establishment techniques. The mature phase of the IVM program involves integrating mowing and herbicide use to maintain the vegetation as well as suppress problematic weeds. The purpose of the annual ODOT herbicide program survey was to document herbicide use trends as well as the successes, failures and challenges of ODOT's chemical weed control component of its IVM program in 2009. The information gained each year in the survey and subsequent annual report is useful in providing recommendations for improvement of future weed control and vegetation management efforts. Additional, this survey can help in identifying potential emerging weed problems and documenting possible needs for future weed control research.