Herbicide injections to control bamboo

Bamboo is one of the most difficult weeds to control in ornamental, forest and roadsides. There are many species of bamboo that can become invasive, but in the eastern U.S. the genus Phyllostachys has become the biggest problem. While an easier, more effective control method is needed homeowners and vegetative management officials spend much time and money to control unwanted bamboo. Based on preliminary results from CAES research, an experiment was begun to determine if an herbicide injected into the bamboo stem would provide selective control of established invasive bamboo. The herbicides glyphosate and imazapyr were injected into the internode of bamboo canes over 2 inches. At the 24 WAT rating, canes injected with imazapyr were dead, and the glyphosate inject canes were greater than 80 percent damaged. Researchers hope these herbicides will translocate to bamboo shoots connected to treated canes. This unique control strategy could provide effective means of controlling bamboo in many situations.