Millions of acres of California rangelands that could otherwise be improved by re-seeding are located on terrain that is steep, erodable, or too rocky for cultivation. Recent research has shown that these ranges can be successfully seeded by spraying the resident annual vegetation with paraquat and planting immediately. Spraying in bands was shown to give adequate weed control. Special seeding equipment has been developed to allow spraying, fertilizing, and planting in one operation on any terrain that can be traversed by a crawler tractor. This article is a progress report of experimental use of paraquat on California rangelands. Further investigation is necessary before federal registration or University of California recommendation will be granted for use of this herbicide on rangeland.

Many range and livestock farm advisors and ranchers cooperated in the field trials. This research is financed in part by contributions from the Chevron Chemical Company and Ingersoll Products