Department of Agronomy

Controlling Sericea Lespedeza

Herbicide options are available for use on sericea lespedeza. The following list updates the recommendations found in 2021 Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland and Noncropland (SRP1162).

For full instructions, cautions, and warnings, read the label before using herbicides.

Growing Conditions

All the herbicides require sericea lespedeza plants be actively growing and have the ability to continue active growth after application. This means early growth (June to mid-July) must have new leaves being formed. After mid-July, the plants must be producing buds and moving to bloom stage. If the plants are not actively growing, DO NOT APPLY HERBICIDES. Results will be poor and not cost effective.

Spray Solution

In order to get good control, the amount of spray solution per acre must be increased. This is necessary to insure complete coverage of the sericea lespedeza plant. The recommended rates are:

  • By air - a minimum of three (3) gallons per acre to as much as five (5) gallons per acre for dense populations.
  • By ground - a minimum of 10 gallons per acre to as much as 20 gallons per acre for dense stands.
  • For spot treatments - the plant must be covered with solution but not to the point that the solution drips from the plant.

Specific Herbicide Recommendations:

NOTE: Specimen labels are available by clicking on the herbicide name.

REMEDY ULTRA

(tryclopyr, 4 lb/gal)

See label for cautions, instructions, limitations, and crop rotations.

  • Broadcast Application
    1.0 - 1.5 pints per acre
    Timing: during active vegetative growth (June - mid-July)
  • Spot Treatment
    Use 1% solution (1.33 fl. oz per gallon)
    Timing: during active vegetative growth (June - mid-July)

ESCORT XP

(metsulfuron methyl, 60% dry flowable)

See label for cautions, instructions, limitations, and crop rotations.

  • Broadcast application
    0.5 oz/acre plus non-ionic surfactant according to label
    Timing: apply from beginning of flower bud initiation to full bloom stage (mid-July on)
  • Spot Treatment
    1 oz/100 gal or 1 g/gal + non-ionic surfactant/gal
    Timing: apply from beginning of flower bud initiation to full bloom stage (mid-July on)

CIMARRON PLUS

(metsulfuron methyl, 48%; Chlorsulfuron, 15% dry flowable)

See label for cautions, instructions, limitations, and crop rotations.

  • Broadcast application
    0.625 oz/acre plus non-ionic surfactant according to label
    Timing: apply from beginning of flower bud initiation to full bloom stage (mid-July on)
  • Spot Treatment
    1.25 oz/100 gal plus 0.25% non-ionic surfactantTiming: apply from beginning of flower bud initiation to full bloom stage (mid-July on)

CIMARRON MAX**

(a 2-part package; Part A - metsulfuron methyl, 60% dry flowable; Part B - 1 lb/gallon dicamba, 2.87 lb/gal 2,4-D)

See label for cautions, instructions, limitations, and crop rotations.

  • Broadcast application
    Part A - 0.5 oz/acre;
    Part B - 1 pt. plus a non-ionic surfactant
    Timing: apply from beginning of flower bud initiation to full bloom stage
  • Spot Treatment (100 gal)
    Part A - 1 oz
    Part B - 4 pt
    0.25% non-ionic surfactant
    Timing: apply from beginning of flower bud initiation to full bloom stage (mid-July on)

** Kansas research has not shown a control or economic benefit from the addition of dicamba and 2,4-D when used on sericea lespedeza

PastureGard HL

(3 lb/gal triclopyr plus 1 lb/gal fluroxpyr)

  • Broadcast application
    0.75 to 1.5 pt/acre
    Timing: Lower rate used in spring to early summer prior to bloom when plants are 12-15 inches tall. Higher rate recommended for dense stands or later stages of growth.
  • Spot treatment
    Use 3 pt/100 gal water or 0.5 fl oz/gall water

SURMOUNT

(O.67 lb/gal picloram plus 0.67 lb/gal fluroxypyr)

  • Broadcast application
    2.0-2.5 pt/acre
    Timing: Lower rate used in spring to early summer prior to bloom when plants are 12-15 inches tall. Higher rate recommended for dense stands or later stages of growth.
  • Spot application
    See label for directions using a hand-held sprayer.

CHAPARRAL

(O.525 lb aminopyralid + 0.0945 lb metsulfuron per pound of product)

  • Broadcast application
    2.5 - 3 oz/acre
    Timing: Beginning at flower bud initiation through the full bloom stage.
  • Spot application
    See label for directions, but generally mix 2.5 oz/100 gal water.

Integrated Methods

In addition, combinations of grazing or mowing followed by herbicides has been successful. Grazing with goats will suppress seed production. Early intensive grazing where the animals are removed from the pasture July 15 and then treated with a labeled herbicide about 4-6 weeks later has been effective. Like wise, haying native hay meadows in early July followed with a labeled herbicide 4-6 weeks later also works well. Prescribed burning in the late spring stimulates seed production and should be followed up with a herbicide treatment.

  • Native Hay Meadows: Sericea lespedeza is found in native hay meadows. The presence in hay meadows is of concern but does not make the hay unharvestable. If the hay is cut before the sericea lespedeza begins budding, it can be hayed. The tannins that make sericea lespedeza unpalatable break down as the material dries resulting in a high quality hay. Reports indicate that cattle readily consume the sericea lespedeza as hay.
  • For control in native hay meadows, harvest the hay by mid-July. About 6 weeks later, if the sericea lespedeza is actively growing, apply a half rate of an approved and labeled herbicide following labeled instruction.
  • Early Intensively Stocked Pastures: Early intensive stocking (double stock, half season stocking) where the stocking rate is doubled and the animals are removed by July 15 offers a unique control opportunity. There is a trend of the stocker (yearlings) cattle grazing the sericea lespedeza short as long as grazing continues. About 6 weeks later, if the sericea lespedeza is actively growing, apply a half rate of an approved and labeled herbicide following labeled instruction.