Swamp horsetail is one of the most poisonous plants found in swampy pastures. Fighting marsh horsetail is very difficult and usually only short-lived. The most successful method is mechanical removal (undercutting) of the herb.
How can you successfully combat marsh horsetail?
To effectively combat marsh horsetail, mechanical removal through undercutting makes the most sense. In early spring, undercut the pasture surface to a depth of 30-40 cm and then allow extensive grazing by cattle and horses.
Swamp horsetail – a danger to grazing animals
Swamp horsetail contains alkaloids that can be very dangerous for grazing animals such as horses, cattle and sheep. Fighting the herb effectively and permanently is very difficult and requires a lot of effort.
Success is usually only short-lived. The best way to combat it would be to drain the meadow. However, this is almost always impossible as affected pastures are often located near streams and canals.
Swamp horsetail reproduces via underground rhizomes that form wide runners. Waterlogging and compacted soils don't bother him. Most farmers therefore rely on mechanical removal of the underground runners. This type of control is also recommended for horsetail in the garden.
- Swamp horsetail reproduces through runners
- Combat by undercutting makes the most sense
- Use of weed killers not permanently effective.
Mechanical control is best carried out in spring
The best time to control swamp horsetail is early spring. Control is carried out by undercutting the willow surface to a depth of 30 to 40 centimeters.
This form of control is very complex and usually only helps for a few weeks. The marsh horsetail then sprouts again unless there is extensive grazing by cattle and horses.
The animals kick down the newly sprouting herb, so that there is no risk of poisoning by the marsh horsetail.
Chemical agents only have a short-term effect
Various attempts to combat marsh horsetail with chemical agents have proven ineffective in the past.
The underground extensions are too deep in the earth for the poison not to reach them. Even application after an undercut only shows moderate and certainly no lasting success. This type of control is now also prohibited due to the high soil contamination.
Tip
A pasture or meadow infested with marsh horsetail may only be grazed with cattle or horses if the food supply of non-toxic plants is large enough. If there is enough food, the animals automatically avoid poisonous plants such as the marsh horsetail.