Invasive annual grasses such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) outcompete native grasses, increase fire frequency, and impact the functionality and productivity of rangeland ecosystems. Preemergent herbicide treatments are often used to control annual grasses but may limit timely restoration options due to negative effects on concurrently planted desired seeded species. We tested the efficacy of activated carbon-based herbicide protection coatings applied to individual bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Love) seeds for protecting seedlings from injury associated with pre-emergent herbicide (imazapic) application in a laboratory environment. Emergence of coated seed averaged 57% ± 5% compared with bare seed, which had 14% ± 10% emergence with imazapic application. Seedling height for coated seed averaged 7.56 ± 0.6 cm compared with 2.26 ± 0.4 cm in uncoated bare seed in the presence of imazapic. Coated seeds produced 87% more plant biomass than uncoated seeds. Our laboratory results suggest that treating individual seeds with an activated carbon-based coating dramatically reduces negative effects of pre-emergent herbicide on desired seeded species. Field studies are needed to confirm these results in an applied restoration context.

一年生有入侵性的草，如白茅草（Bromus tectorum L.）在竞争上胜过天然草，增加了火灾频率，并影响了牧场生态系统的功能和生产力。出苗前的除草剂处理通常用于控制一年生禾草，但由于对同时播种的所需种子物种产生负面影响，因此可能会限制及时的恢复选择。我们测试了活性炭基除草剂保护涂料应用于单个蓝麦草（Pseudoroegneria spicata）的功效。[Pursh] A. Love）种子，用于保护幼苗免受实验室环境中芽前除草剂（伊马扎比）的伤害。与裸种子相比，被覆种子的平均出苗率为57％±5％，裸子种子的出苗率为14％±10％。覆膜种子的苗高平均为7.56±0.6 cm，相比之下，在有吡虫啉存在的情况下，未覆膜的裸种子的苗高为2.26±0.4 cm。包衣种子比未包衣种子产生的植物生物量高87％。我们的实验室结果表明，使用活性炭基涂层处理单个种子可大大减少发芽前除草剂对所需种子物种的不利影响。需要进行现场研究，以在应用的修复环境中确认这些结果。