UZUN, Ferat Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi - Ziraat Fakültesi - Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Turkey , VAİZ GARİPOĞLU, Ali Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi - Ziraat Fakültesi - Zootekni Bölümü, Turkey , ALGAN, Duygu Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi - Ziraat Fakültesi - Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Turkey

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTROL OF YELLOW STARHISTLE (Centaurea solstitialis L.) APPEARED AT OUR RANGELANDS

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The plant composition in our rangelands has changed greatly from the original ecosystems due to the uncontrolled grazing managements for long years. Today, there are hundreds of weed species at the rangelands of Turkey. Some of the most problematic weeds are Centaurea solstitialis, Bromus tectorum, Euphorbia helioscopia, Ranunculus kotschyi and Eryngium bithynicum. Yellow starhistle (Centaurea solstitialis) has impact on the livestock industry by lowering yield and quality of forage, increasing costs of producing livestock, and reducing land value. Yellow starhistle has also effect on impact wildlife habitat and forage, deplete soil and water resources and reduce plant and animal diversity. This annual and wintery plant is spread on the fields below 2000 m. There are numerous control strategies to manage yellow starhistle, including hand pulling, tillage, mowing, grazing, prescribed burning, re-vegetation, biological and chemical control. Some degree of achievements was attained by using each of these fighting methods. But, successful management of C. solstitialis on rangeland will require the development of a long-term strategic plan incorporating prevention programs. Therefore, a successful long-term management program should be designed to include combinations of some control techniques as well as appropriate grazing method.

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Yellow starhistle , Rangeland quality , Rangeland composition , Weed , Control techniques

Anadolu Journal Of Agricultural Sciences

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